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Many Geriatric Health Services Facilities in Japan may have continued outpatient rehabilitation by taking measures against infection even during the state of emergency caused by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The present study aimed to determine differences in physical and psychological states in rehabilitation outpatients (age, 83.5 ± 8.4 years) at a Geriatric Health Services Facility between the pre- and post-nationwide state of emergency in Japan. Physical outcomes were assessed with gait speed (GS), timed up and go test (TUG), handgrip strength (HG), and maximum phonation time (MPT). We used the Japanese version of the five-level EuroQoL five-dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) to assess patients’ quality of life (QoL) as the psychological state. The physical (GS, pre, 0.92, post, 0.92 s, p = 0.875; TUG, pre, 14.09, post, 14.14 s, p = 0.552; HG, pre, 19.42, post 19.70 kgf, p = 0.807; MPT, pre, 13.6, post, 13.8 s, p = 0.861) and psychological (EQ-5D-5L, pre, 0.73, post, 0.81, p = 0.064) states of the participants did not change significantly between the pre- and post-nationwide state of emergency. This was likely due to the continuance of outpatient rehabilitation in accordance with the facility’s policy while taking adequate safety precautions against COVID-19 infection.

The purpose of this study was to clarify usage of long-term care insurance services by home-bound disabled elderly. [Subjects] Data were collected from 85 home-bound disabled elderly receiving home care support services who were living at home in Kobe city, Hyogo. [Methods] We carried out the investigation of long-term care insurance services using data based on care plan implementation records. [Results] It was revealed that service availability tended to be higher than in a preceding study Assistive implements and rehabilitation in the day care services were used by more people in the severe care group than the slight care group. [Conclusion] These results suggest that as the need of nursing care level becomes higher, the use of the assistive implements and the necessity of rehabilitation also rises.

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The purpose of this study was to clarify the satisfaction of family caregivers with home services to improve the quality of the services. [Subjects] Data were collected from 33 main family caregivers of home-bound elderly disabled receiving home-care support services who were living at home in Kobe city, Hyogo. [Methods] We carried out a survey of family caregivers' satisfaction with and reasons for using home services. [Results] Satisfaction was high with outpatient rehabilitation, outpatient long-term day care, and assistive devices. Users' reasons for utilizing the services were to reduce their care burden and gain free time. However, there were criticisms of each service, indicating there are problems with them. [Conclusion] The use of home services is useful for reducing the burden of caregivers, but their criticisms suggest that the service offer should be improved.