Healthy Happy Place (HHP), a home for the elderly operated by Seiwa Gakuen in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, provides integrated support services for both institutional residence and home care, based on the concept of "geriatric care that brings together the school and the community. The facility is located on the grounds of Seiwa Gakuen, creating an environment where students and the elderly can interact on a daily basis.
Service Features
Intergenerational exchange program: Elementary, junior high, and high school students from Seiwa Gakuen visit the facility on a regular basis to conduct "handmade crafts," "book reading," and "memory time" with the elderly to discuss historical backgrounds. For example, the elderly talk to the children about their postwar life experiences, and the students teach the elderly how to use smartphones, providing opportunities for mutual learning. Data show that this project has reduced loneliness among the elderly by 30%, and has also deepened students' understanding of the aging society.
Medical and nursing care coordination system: A full-time doctor and nurse are on staff, and a system is in place for regular medical checkups and emergencies. In cooperation with the adjacent Seiwa Gakuen Hospital, we have established a system that allows elderly residents to receive immediate medical attention when needed. In addition, a pharmacist provides individualized medication guidance to prevent accidental ingestion.
Variety of housing services: "full-dormitory," "single-dormitory," "paired-room" and other housing types are available to suit the lifestyles of the elderly. Private rooms are equipped with kitchens and bathrooms to meet the needs of seniors who wish to "maintain their own rhythm of life. Common spaces include a "tea ceremony room," "reading room," and "garden," providing opportunities to promote interaction among the elderly.
Cooperation with the community: In cooperation with a nearby community center, we offer "community tours for the elderly. By taking a bus tour of local points of interest and dining at local restaurants, we support social participation of the elderly. In addition, Seiwa Gakuen students regularly distribute an "information magazine for the elderly," which provides information on local events and new services offered by local government offices in an easy-to-understand manner.