International Relationship

The 6th Japanese-Nordic Seminar Held
(Oct. 18-21.2005)

On the occasion of the Japanese-Nordic Summit Meeting in 1998, social policy exchanges between Japan and the Nordic countries were proposed as a part of the "World Welfare Vision." Above all the importance of government-level cooperation focusing on "super aging society" was recognized. Thus Japan and the Nordic countries have held the seminars in turns, and this time was the 6th.

■October 18 Policy Discussion Meeting (Closed)
<Session>

Supporting Measures and Service Provision Systems enabling the elderly with severe physical or mental condition to live with a sense of well-being at their own communities

Presentation of Japan
Ken Hongo
Deputy Director, Health Planning Div., Health and Welfare Bureau for the Elderly, MHLW

Presentation of Sweden
Britt Mari Hellner
Institute for Evidence-based Social Work Practice, IMS, National Board of Health and Welfare

<Session>
Efforts and Service Provision Systems in the Community for preventing the elderly from deteriorating health and from being in need of care

Presentation of Japan
Masahiro Kaminota
Deputy Director, Div. of Health for the Elderly,
Health and Welfare Bureau for the Elderly, MHLW

Presentation of Denmark
Povl Riis
Professor of medicine, MD, DMSci, DM h.c. (Universities of Odense, Gothenburg), FRCP / Chairman, AgeForum / Adviser, The Council of Europe

■October 19 Policy Discussion Meeting (Closed)
<Session>

Supporting Measures and Service Provision Systems in the Community for the Elderly Living Alone

Presentation of Japan
Yumiko Watanabe
Director, Policy Promotion Office of Dementia, Health Planning Div., Health and Welfare Bureau for the Elderly, MHLW

Presentation of Finland
Paivi Voutilainen
Development Manager, Stakes, Ageing and Services

Presentation of Norway
Anne-Cathrine Haug Jorgensen
Deputy Director, The Royal Ministry of Health and Care Department for Municipal Health and Social Services

<General Summing-up>

<Seminars in future (Date, venue, theme)>

October 20 Facility Tour (Aichi Prefecture)
・Takahama City
-Elderly care house 'Yuyu Takatori'
-Briefing about measures by Takahama City
-Group Home 'A-Un'
-Short Stay 'Ikoi-no-yado'
・Obu City
-National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology (NCGG)

October 21 Facility Tour (Tokyo)
-Day Service Center 'Kagurazaka Seika-
-Health Care Facility for the Elderly 'Care Center 'Minami-Ooi'

Intensive Policy discussion meetings were developed throughout the 2 days, highlighting upon how to realize メAging in Placeモ as a common challenge in each country. With the revision of the Japanese Long-term Care Insurance near at hand in April, the Nordic members were eager to question about the revision points. It was decided that the next seminar would be held in Norway in the spring of 2007. The two issues "Ethics and Technology" and "Dementia" were proposed as the themes.

Participants List:
Sweden

Ms. Gunilla Malmborg, Director
Ministry of Health and Social Affairs
Division for Social Services

Ms. Karin Hellqvist, Desk officer
Ministry of Health and Social Affairs
Division for Social Services

Ms. BrittMari Hellner, PhD, Researcher
Institute for Evidence-based Social Work Practice, IMS
National Board of Health and Welfare

Denmark
Mr. Povl Riis, Professor of medicine, MD, DMSci, DM h.c. (Odense, Gothenburg), FRCP
AgeForum

Finland
Ms. Paivi Voutilainen, D.Sc., Development Manager
Stakes, Ageing and Services

Ms. Tellervo Kling, Director
Stakes, National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health

Norway
Ms. Anne-Cathrine Haug Jorgensen, Deputy Director
The Royal Ministry of Health and Care
Department for Municipal Health and Social Services

Ms. Siv Svardal, Adviser
The Royal Ministry of Health and Care
Department for Municipal Health and Social Services

Ms. Gerd Juel Homstvedt, Senior Adviser
Directorate for Health and Social Affairs
Department for Municipal Health and Social Services

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