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In Japan, the assistive technology rental services industry improves quality of life with advanced technology, at an affordable price, with personalized customer support.
2 in 7 Japanese people are over the age of 65. and 1 in 7 are over 75. Apply those numbers in a 125 million total population, and that's a size-able population of elders for an island country!
To improve quality of life for seniors aging in their home, the Japanese adopted assistive device technology at scale. Today Japan employs more than 20,000 assistive device counsellors at more than 6,000 assistive device rental companies.
What does an assistive device counselor do in Japan? They facilitate the proper use of assistive technology in elderly people's homes to enable independent delivery of healthcare and improve overall quality of life.
You see, most family caregivers aren't aware which types of assistive devices are available. Some family caregivers don't know what and assistive devices is in the first place.
Who can blame them? Did a specialist ever knock on their door to explain all this to them?
As impossibly idealistic as that sounds, it's exactly what's happening in Japan right now.
Not every assistive technology device is as easy to use as an iPad. Without proper instruction and training, using an assistive technology device could cause serious injury. If you live in Japan, an assistive technology counselor will meet you in-home to show you the ropes.
In USA, there's typically just one option. You've got to buy the assistive technology you plan to use. From Meijer Pharmacy, from Walgreens, directly from your Parkinson's specialist's office. Just put it on my card.
And in Japan, you can buy. Certainly. But you can also rent assistive technology. And for bulky, pricey, complicated, or otherwise with a learning curve equipment, it's nice to try before you buy.
The team of counselors are trained to helping people select the right device, trained how to facilitate and in-home purchase of the device, and trained how to teach you how to use the device.
Renting assistive technology enables you to try different devices before you commit to buy one for yourself. You save money while test-driving devices that can improve your independence and quality of life.
It's good to try before you buy, because the devil's in the details
Last time you shopped online in the home and garden section, did you check the H x W x L before you bought. Now imagine you're 65 with Alzheimer's trying to remember how wide your bedroom doorway is.
Beyond shipping and handling, the in-home assistive technology counselor's role is to evaluate the environment to match equipment and devices that'll match just right.
When buying a wheelchair for example, you need one that's wide enough to get around the home. You need to find a height that will promote a healthy sitting posture. You need the person who's going to be sitting in the chair for hours a day to tell you they like it before you break out your credit card.
Renting a wheelchair before you buy with a trained counselor by your side gives you both experience and advice to make better decisions.
A wheelchair to expand a person's horizons.
A nursing bed can also greatly improve the quality of life of the elderly.
Japan's Paramount Bed Company is the country's leader in nursing beds and other home care products designed for elderly consumers.
Of 160,000 nursing beds sold annually, about 40% are used in home rental services.
On average, a bed like this can be rented out for three to six years. As a consumer, you save money by renting, you get to try before you buy, and you can afford a higher quality piece of equipment. As an assistive technology rental service business owner, you've got several years opportunity to make profit from the high-end nursing bed you invested in.
The next person can rent the same bed, maybe a little cheaper this time since it's a little more used.
If you've ever rented a car, then you've been reminded of what it could cost if you break the car. It's a worry to keep in the back of your mind.
Beyond R&D, manufacture, distribution, sales, and rental services, the Paramount Bed company offers complete repair and maintenance for their rental services as well.
For example, Paramount Bed operates 18 rental centers in the city of Chiba Shi, Japan which services 2,000 rental units per day, including 100 Paramount Beds.
Repair and maintenance services take place in your home where the rental unit is located, and includes assembly, cleaning, maintenance, and logistics to completion.
Over the course of half a century, Japan’s assistive device rental market has reached more elderly people, with more units, with more advanced technology.
With a system that supports economy, adoption, and maintenance, many elderly Japanese people who use assistive technology say they can't live without it.
In Japan, the assistive devices rental services helped drive the industry forward in terms of technological innovation and economic growth, but also make to diversify and personalized the in-home services, providing different people and meet more different demands.
