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The Function and Role of Co-operatives in Providing Elderly Care. Ritsumeikan University/Consumer Cooperative Institute of Japan (CCIJ) Kohei Yamaguchi. Outline of Presentation. Background of social welfare policy in Japan
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The Function and Role of Co-operatives in Providing Elderly Care Ritsumeikan University/Consumer Cooperative Institute of Japan (CCIJ) Kohei Yamaguchi
Outline of Presentation • Background of social welfare policy in Japan • Introduction of long-term care insurance system and organizational environment change • Co-op’s action to the change • Problems and future prospects
Background and change of social welfare policy in Japan 1945~ after WW2; “Relief of the poor” first 1960s~ Service expanded with high-economic growth; formation of “men bread-winner model” …Depending highly on family and corporation 1980s~ Recognized the need of elderly care …services expanded sharply by private initiatives • Long-term care insurance system started
Change of elderly care by LTCI >Standardization of services not depending on the care by family but certified professionals. >Introduction of market mechanism private firms, co-ops, and non-profit organization can be a service provider.
Elderly care and Consumer Co-op 1970s Emergence of Consumer Co-op 1980s “Kurashi-no tasukeai-no kai”(elder support group by co-op members) start and expand … 74 co-ops: 66,377 members(FY2003) 2000~ Become Service Provider Organization of LTCI. …45 co-ops: \ 6.5B (FY2002)
Elderly care and Consumer Co-op(2) Why Co-op provides elderly care? >mutual help is important part of Co-ops. >severe lack of service provider; LTCI scheme needs non-profit organizations and Co-ops. >services of municipalities are not enough; need of variety services
Elderly care and Consumer Co-op(3) Two directions / strategies; (a)Kurashi-no Tasukeai-no Kai + Provider of LTCI >major Co-ops like Co-op Kobe and Co-op Kanagawa takes. >key advantages; many experienced / skilled worker (b)Development & Supporting Workers Collective >Seikatsu Club Co-op and Green Co-op. >traditional co-op supporting new/small co-ops
Workers Collective as Social Enterprise Social enterprises are; “business but not for-profit; profits brings to local communities and business itself”
Dilemmas • As elderly care become more important business and making actual result, the Co-operative advantages are getting lost. • Introduction of market mechanism in the LTCI scheme; many co-ops lose their identities. >What is the key advantages of Co-ops?
Role of Co-operatives Elderly care’s structural problems; >Information gap between provider and beneficiaries >Provider dominance Role of Co-ops are; >Bridging the gap / Empowering their members through business and mutual help.
Thank you kouhei.yamaguchi@jccu.coop