일본 고령자를 위한 End of Life Care 정책

Japan’s End of Life Care Policy for the Elderly

In Japan, it is expected that the aging population will make it difficult to secure End-of-Life Care (EOLC) resource. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the system of EOLC by resources other than hospitals and clinics. In this paper, I consider how the EOLC policy for the elderly has been developed in such a situation, and what issues it has. First, I confirm the position of EOLC in recent economic and social policies. Next, I will consider the spread of decision-making support, the enhancement of home care medicine, the promotion of cooperation between medical services and long-term care services, and the construction of the system to supply EOLC in long-term care facilities. As a result of consideration, the issues clarified are as follows; 1) the formulation of a plan with priority targets to respond to needs, 2) the establishment of operations that lead to the substantial effects of Advance care planning (ACP), 3) the establishment of a stable supply system for home care medicine resources with EOLC functions, and 4) cooperation enhancement between medical professionals and care workers in long-term care facilities.