85% of Family Caregivers 'Change Feelings Positively After Facility Admission' ~ Towards a Society Where Physical Care is Left to Professionals and Families Face 'Mental Care' ~

Emimen Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nishi-ku, Osaka City), which operates a senior home (*1) introduction business, announces the results of an independent survey targeting family caregivers as the anniversary recognized by the Japan Anniversary Association, 'Day to Face Mental Care' (May 6), marks its first year. The purpose of this anniversary is to prevent mutual collapse due to caregiving and to expand a society where people can face 'mental care'. As a result of the 'Mental Care After Admission Survey' (Period: April 2023 - February 2026), 85% of family caregivers answered that 'their feelings changed positively after moving into a senior home'. This result indicates that by entrusting physical care to professionals, family caregivers have become able to face 'mental care'. We consider this the result of regaining their original lives and creating emotional leeway. *1 What is a Senior Home: Collectively refers to fee-based nursing homes for the elderly, housing for the elderly with services, and group homes primarily introduced by our company. ■ [Overview of Emimen's Independent Survey] By providing support for admission to senior homes suited to the individual's personality, values, and past lifestyle, Emimen has been working to create an environment where physical care can be safely entrusted to professionals, allowing family caregivers to focus on 'mental care' with peace of mind. We consider the results of this survey as an indicator of this achievement. The survey was conducted among 1,422 key persons after admission, and 934 responded that 'the time required for caregiving decreased'. *Excerpts as originally written In the free responses of the survey results, the following psychological changes were frequently mentioned: 'I think having leeway allowed my own mind to return to a healthy state. My mother also lost her anxiety about living, and her bright smile returned.' 'She suddenly couldn't walk, and I didn't know how to handle it. I couldn't get any sleep and felt like we were both going to collapse, so I was truly saved.' 'I became able to concentrate on my work without worrying, gained emotional room, and was able to treat my mother kindly when I went to visit her.' Entrusting physical care to professionals does not mean 'families taking it easy'. We believe it is a choice for families to continue being there without wearing down their emotions, and it is an effective means that prevents the mutual collapse of caregiving while at the same time improving the person's QOL (Quality of Life). ■ Invisible 'Mental Burden' Drives Family Caregivers into a Corner Family caregiving has the characteristic of often causing conflicts where, despite the desire 'to truly be kind' because of the close emotional distance, they cannot interact as they wish. Many family caregivers whom Emimen has met through the senior home introduction service also had similar worries. Regret over using a harsh tone, or self-denial from trying to balance work and caregiving. These psychological burdens are more likely to be internalized by earnest families; without being able to consult anyone, they lose their physical and mental capacity, and cases where they fall into a state close to mutual collapse are not uncommon. In fact, a survey by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare also reports that 'about 70% of family caregivers feel worries or strong stress'*2. *2 Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare '2022 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions (Nursing Care)' ■ About 'Day to Face Mental Care' on May 6 'Day to Face Mental Care' is an anniversary applied for by Emimen and recognized by the Japan Anniversary Association. In caregiving, attention tends to focus on physical care, but what is important for the person receiving care is 'mental care' that supports their sense of security and dignity. The emotional support gained by the family being close by enhances the quality of care. On the other hand, it is not uncommon for the burden to become too great when families take on home caregiving alone, leading to mutual collapse. To prevent such situations, it is important to prepare an environment where family caregivers can face 'mental care'. This is indispensable for realizing a society where the elderly can continue to live with a smile. May 6 was chosen as a play on words for 'Kokoro' (5 for 'ko', 6 for 'ro' - meaning heart/mind in Japanese), and it also falls during the Golden Week period when families easily gather. It is a good opportunity to discuss medicine, care, and future living arrangements even before caregiving begins. Emimen hopes that through this day, people will think about 'mental care' and that opportunities to face loved ones will expand. The importance of 'mental care' realized while facing family caregivers is introduced in the Emimen official note article 'What is the Day to Face Mental Care on May 6?'. ■ Emimen Co., Ltd. Business Overview As Japan's first Impact IPO company, facing the challenges of 'burden on family caregivers' and 'lack of information regarding senior homes' in a super-aging society, we aim to realize a society where families face 'mental care' and the elderly can smile, by creating a state through our business where the use of senior home care becomes 'positive / commonplace' for family caregivers. Senior...