Abstract
The preventive approach in the Long-Term Care Insurance was started with the Long-Term Care Insurance in Japan in 1999. It is defined as helping the elderly to independent and active lives. It was implemented not only to prevent diseases, but also to help independent life in the elderly by focusing on physical and mental frailty in the elderly. The first review of Long-Term Care Insurance in Japan reported a rapid significant increase in the number of persons requiring light assistance, being 1.7 times the number at the beginning. Although the Long-Term Care Insurance provides physical help for such persons, other preventive approaches to dependency are important. Physical therapists who are well versed in the care of physical and mentally disabled persons have an important role in the preventive approach as well.
