What is KOTOBUKI CARE?
KOTOBUKI CARE is an innovative approach to elder care that emerged from Japan, a country at the forefront of facing the challenges of a super-aged society.
It was born through years of trial and error within caregiving facilities. Remarkably, even in facilities without special equipment, abundant resources, or excessive staffing, elderly residents have experienced significant improvements in their care levels—stories include elderly individuals who were once bedridden and have regained the ability to walk. These miraculous outcomes are not only a testament to the approach itself but also to the high engagement of staff and exceptionally low turnover rates seen in these facilities.
KOTOBUKI CARE goes beyond the conventional caregiver-recipient relationship. It strives to create an environment where everyone—caregivers, families, and the elderly—can “live together.” Our core mission is to support elderly individuals in leading vibrant, independent lives by creating an environment where they can hold meaningful roles, recognizing their innate social nature, and fostering interactions that allow them to actively contribute to and co-create a thriving community, all the way to the end of their lives.
We coined the term "KOTOBUKI CARE" to describe this transformative and innovative approach. Through over 1,300 case studies, we distilled the essence of this model into 30 key principles that guide its implementation.
The name “KOTOBUKI” (寿), meaning “celebrating longevity” in Japanese, reflects our foundational belief in creating a society that deeply honors and celebrates the gift of long life, especially in a society where aging is often discussed as a problem. Facilities practicing KOTOBUKI CARE attract numerous visitors from both within Japan and internationally each year, eager to learn from its proven practices and transformative results.
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Create a Role
01
You care for the person every day. In this context, doing everything for them can make them feel like they're receiving a service rather than living in a place they can truly call home. Instead, create a role for them based on their desires and strengths, and encourage them to take part in shaping their own life in that environment.
Make an Attraction
02
You want to create an environment where the local community feels welcome to drop by anytime. However, simply opening the facility to the public may not be sufficient to encourage visits unless there’s a compelling reason or attraction. Therefore, develop an enticing feature that motivates people from the community—both children and adults—to want to visit your facility.
Kotobuki Training Program
Visit to Japan's Top Care Facilities
You will be matched with a care facility from the 100 best practices we have selected.
Online Learning
Several online resources and workshops where, before and after the visit, you will learn about Japan's caregiving system and gain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience of the essence of KOTOBUKI CARE.
Pre- and Post-Assessment
To ensure that what you’ve learned is effectively applied in your home country’s facilities, we will conduct assessments for you and/or all the staff at your facility.
