Hostname: page-component-669899f699-rg895 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-04-29T03:46:01.418Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Older people's exercising of choice in long-term care: a comparative analysis of England and Japan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2015

YOSHIMI WADA
YOSHIMI WADA*
Affiliation:
School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, UK.
*
Address for correspondence: Yoshimi Wada, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, 8 Priory Road, Bristol BS8 1TZ, UK E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

There has been an increasing emphasis on choice for older people in long-term care in both England and Japan. However, despite the emphasis on the importance of choice, the perspectives of older people have been given little attention. Considering national and local policies in Bristol, England and Kyoto, Japan, the article explores how older people are exercising (and not exercising) choice in care practice through examining the perspectives of the older people themselves, as well as key informants in the field. Empirical data were collected from interviews with older people and key informants in the two countries, and were analysed using qualitative and comparative approaches. Choice in policy is regarded as a mechanism of the market with an assumption of the independent autonomous individual who can exercise ‘rational choice’. However, the findings have reflected older people's relational decision-making, which does not conform to the rational model of decision-making, and illustrates the value of ‘interdependence’. The findings from care practice have shown that choice was considered an important value in involving older people's views and ensuring their needs are met sensitively and respectfully. The findings also suggested that consideration of the psychological aspects of choice is an important aspect of ‘care’, facilitating the inclusion of older people's views in the process of making judgements, in order to meet their needs.

Keywords

choicecarepolicyrelational decision-makingthe psychological aspects of choicecomparative analysisthe ethics of careConfucian ethics
Type
Articles
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 36 , Issue 6 , July 2016 , pp. 1185 - 1210
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

Barnes, M. 1997. Care, Communities and Citizens. Longman, London.Google Scholar
Barnes, M. 2005. The same old process? Older people, participation and deliberation. Ageing & Society, 25, 2, 245–59.Google Scholar
Barnes, M. 2006. Caring and Social Justice. Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, UK.Google Scholar
Barnes, M. 2009. Authoritative consumers or experts by experience? User groups in health and social care. In Simmons, R., Powell, M. and Greener, I. (eds), The Consumer in Public Services: Choice, Values and Difference. The Policy Press, Bristol, UK, 219–34.Google Scholar
Barnes, M. 2011. Abandoning care? A critical perspective on personalisation from an ethic of care. Ethics and Social Welfare, 5, 2, 153–67.Google Scholar
Barnes, M. 2012. Care in Everyday Life: An Ethic of Care in Practice. The Policy Press, Bristol, UK.Google Scholar
Barnes, M. and Prior, D. 1995. Spoilt for choice? How consumerism can disempower public service users. Public Money and Management, 15, 3, 53–8.Google Scholar
Bristol City Council 2008. Putting People First in Bristol (PPFB) Programme Brief. Bristol City Council, Bristol, UK.Google Scholar
Bristol City Council 2010. Putting People First Bristol-Business Case. Bristol City Council, Bristol, UK.Google Scholar
Brooker, D. 2003. What is person-centred care in dementia? Reviews in Clinical Gerontology, 13, 3, 215–22.Google Scholar
Campbell, J. C. 2002. How policies differ: long-term-care insurance in Japan and Germany. In Conrad, H. and Lützeler, R. (eds), Aging and Social Policy: A German-Japanese Comparison. Iudicium, Munich, Germany, 157–87.Google Scholar
Campbell, J. C. and Ikegami, N. 2000. Long-term care insurance comes to Japan. Health Affairs, 19, 3, 26–39.Google Scholar
Cameron, A., Lloyd, L., Kent, N. and Anderson, P. 2004. Researching end of life in old age: ethical challenges. In Smyth, M. and Williamson, E. (eds), Researchers and Their ‘Subjects’: Ethics, Power, Knowledge and Consent. The Policy Press, Bristol, UK, 105–17.Google Scholar
Central Social Security Council [Chuou Shakai Hoshou Suishin Kyougikai] 2002. Critical Points in the Long-term Care Insurance [Kaigo Hoken Minaoshi-no Shouten-ha Nanika]. Akebi Press, Tokyo.Google Scholar
Dasgupta, P. 1986. Positive freedom, markets and the welfare state. Oxford Review of Economic Policy, 2, 2, 25–36.Google Scholar
Department of Health 2008. Transforming Social Care. Local Authority Circular, Department of Health, London.Google Scholar
Finch, J. 1989. Family Obligations and Social Change. Polity Press, Cambridge.Google Scholar
Fine, M. 2005. Individualisation, risk and the body. Sociology and care. Journal of Sociology, 41, 3, 249–68.Google Scholar
Fine, M. D. 2013. Individualising care. The transformation of personal support in old age. Ageing & Society, 33, 3, 421–36.Google Scholar
Fiori, K., Antonucci, T. C. and Akiyama, H. 2008. Profiles of social relations among older adults: a cross-cultural approach. Ageing & Society, 28, 2, 203–31.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gilligan, C. 1982. In a Different Voice: Psychological Theory and Women's Development. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.Google Scholar
Gilligan, C., Ward, J. V. and Taylor, J. M. with Bardige, B. 1988. Mapping the Moral Domain: A Contribution of Women's Thinking to Psychology and Education. Harvard University Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, Massachusetts.Google Scholar
Glendinning, C. 2007. Improving equity and sustainability in UK funding for long-term care: lessons from Germany. Social Policy & Society, 6, 3, 411–22.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Glendinning, C., Challis, D., Fernández, J-L., Jacobs, S., Jones, K., Knapp, M., Manthorpe, J., Moran, N., Netten, A., Stevens, M. and Wilberforce, M. 2008. Evaluation of the Individual Budgets Pilot Programme. Final Report. Social Policy Research Unit, University of York, York, UK.Google Scholar
Grootings, P. 1986. Technology and Work: East–West Comparison. Croom Helm, London.Google Scholar
Hantrais, L. 2007. Contextualization in cross-national comparative research. In Hantrais, L. and Mangen, S. (eds), Cross-national Research Methodology and Practice. Routledge, London, 3–18.Google Scholar
Hantrais, L. 2009. International Comparative Research: Theory, Methods and Practice. Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, UK.Google Scholar
Hantrais, L. and Ager, D. 1985. The language barrier to effective cross-national research. Cross-national Research Papers, 1, 1, 29–40.Google Scholar
Hantrais, L. and Mangen, S. 1996. Cross-national Research Methods in the Social Sciences. Pinter, London.Google Scholar
Hasegawa, K. 2000. Integrating Buddhism and welfare [Bukkyou-to Fukushi-no Ketsugou-kara Miete-kurumono]. Quarterly Journal of Buddhism [Kikan Bukkyo], 51, 82–8.Google Scholar
Hashimoto, A. and Ikels, C. 2005. Filial piety in changing Asian societies. In Johnson, M. L. in association with Bengtson, V. L., Coleman, P. G. and Kirkwood, T. B. L. (eds), The Cambridge Handbook of Age and Ageing. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 437–42.Google Scholar
Hayakawa, M. and Sugisawa, H. 2008. Factors related to advance planning for decline of decision-making capacity among the frail elderly. Japanese Journal of Gerontology [Rounen Shakai Kagaku], 30, 1, 47–57.Google Scholar
Heine, C. and Browning, C. 2004. The communication and psychosocial perceptions of older adults with sensory loss: a qualitative study. Ageing & Society, 24, 1, 113–30.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Held, V. 2006. The Ethics of Care: Personal, Political, and Global. Oxford University Press, Oxford.Google Scholar
Hiroi, Y. 1997. Reconsidering Care [Kea-wo Toinaosu]. Chikuma Shobou, Tokyo.Google Scholar
HM Government 2007. Putting People First: A Shared Vision and Commitment to the Transformation of Adult Social Care. Department of Health, London.Google Scholar
Iida, D. 2007. Transformation of Japanese-style Capitalism: Industrial Policy in a Global Economy. USJP Occasional Paper 07–06, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.Google Scholar
Innes, A., Macpherson, S. and McCabe, L. 2006. Promoting Person-centred Care at the Front Line. Joseph Rowntree Foundation, York, UK.Google Scholar
Iyengar, S. 1993. Assessing linguistic equivalence in multilingual surveys. In Bulmer, M. and Warwick, D. (eds), Social Research in Developing Countries. UCL Press, London, 173–82.Google Scholar
Izuhara, M. 2003. Social inequality under a new social contract: long-term care in Japan. Social Policy and Administration, 37, 4, 395–410.Google Scholar
Kane, R. A. and Kane, R. L. 1987. Long-term Care: Principles, Programs and Policies. Springer, New York.Google Scholar
Kendig, H., Koyano, W., Asakawa, T. and Ando, T. 1999. Social support of older people in Australia and Japan. Ageing & Society, 19, 2, 185–207.Google Scholar
Kennett, P. 2001. Comparative Social Policy: Theory and Research. Open University Press, Buckingham, UK.Google Scholar
Kimura, T. 2000. Self-determination and One's Life [Jibun-no Inochi-ha Jibun-de Kimeru]. Shueisha, Tokyo.Google Scholar
King's Fund 2006. Wanless Social Care Review, Securing Good Care for Older People: Taking a Long-term View. King's Fund, London.Google Scholar
Kitwood, T. 1997. Dementia Reconsidered: The Person Comes First. Open University Press, Buckingham, UK.Google Scholar
Kyoto City 2009. The Fourth Period of Plan for Long and Healthy Life for Citizens of Kyoto [Dai 4-ki Kyoto Shimin Chojyu Sukoyaka Pulan]. Kyoto City, Kyoto, Japan.Google Scholar
Layder, D. 1993. New Strategies in Social Research: An Introduction and Guide. Polity Press, Cambridge.Google Scholar
Lisle, E. 1985. Validation in the social sciences by international comparison. Cross-national Research Papers, 1, 1, 11–28.Google Scholar
Lloyd, L. 2010. The individual in social care: the ethics of care and the ‘personalisation agenda’ in services for older people in England. Ethics and Social Welfare, 4, 2, 188–200.Google Scholar
Lymbery, M. 2010. A new vision for adult social care? Continuities and change in the care of older people. Critical Social Policy, 30, 1, 5–26.Google Scholar
Maclachlan, P. L. 2003. The struggle for an independent consumer society: consumer activism and the state's response in postwar Japan. In Schwartz, F. J. and Pharr, S. J. (eds), The State of Civil Society in Japan. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 214–32.Google Scholar
Mangen, S. 2007. Qualitative research methods in cross-national settings. In Hantrais, L. and Mangen, S. (eds), Cross-national Research Methodology and Practice. Routledge, London, 19–34.Google Scholar
Means, R., Richards, S. and Smith, R. 2008. Community Care: Policy and Practice. Fourth edition, Palgave Macmillan, London.Google Scholar
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) 1994. Constructing a New System for Long-term Care for Older People [Arata-na Koureisha Kaigo Shisutemu-no Kouchiku-wo Mezashite]. MHLW, Tokyo.Google Scholar
Moffatt, S., Higgs, P., Rummery, K. and Jones, I. R. 2012. Choice, consumerism and devolution: growing old in the welfare state(s) of Scotland, Wales and England. Ageing & Society, 32, 5, 725–46.Google Scholar
Moran, N., Glendinning, C., Wilberforce, M., Stevens, M., Netten, A., Jones, K., Manthorpe, J., Knapp, M., Fernández, J.-L., Challis, D. and Jacobs, S. 2013. Older people's experiences of cash-for-care schemes: evidence from the English Individual Budget pilot projects. Ageing & Society, 33, 5, 826–51.Google Scholar
Morimura, O. 2000. Ethic of Care [Kea-no Rinri]. Taishukan Shoten, Tokyo.Google Scholar
Morishima, M. 1988. Confucianism as a basis for capitalism. In Okimoto, D. and Rohlen, T. P. (eds), Inside the Japanese System: Readings on Contemporary Society and Political Economy. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California, 36–8.Google Scholar
Ogusu, N. 2008. The experience of the elderly people who can't take part in decision-making for their post-hospitalization life. Japanese Journal of Gerontology [Rounen Shakai Kagaku], 30, 3, 404–14.Google Scholar
Rogers, C. R. 1961. On Becoming a Person. Houghton Mifflin, Boston.Google Scholar
Sayer, A. 2000. Realism and Social Science. Sage, London.Google Scholar
Sevenhuijsen, S. 1998. Citizenship and the Ethics of Care: Feminist Considerations on Justice, Morality and Politics. Routledge, London.Google Scholar
Sodei, T. 2009. Are Older People Socially Vulnerable? [Koureisha-wa Shakaiteki Jyakushananoka]. Minerva Shobo, Kyoto, Japan.Google Scholar
Suzuki, Y. 2007. The empowerment process for the cardiac rehabilitation client with ischemic heart disease. Studies on Social Work [Social Work Kenkyu], 32, 4, 310–6.Google Scholar
Tao, J. 2000. Two perspectives of care: Confucian ren and feminist care . Journal of Chinese Philosophy, 27, 2, 215–40.Google Scholar
Tao, J. 2004. The paradox of care: a Chinese Confucian perspective on long-term care. In Kennett, P. (ed.), A Handbook of Comparative Social Policy. Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, UK, 131–50.Google Scholar
Tester, S. 1999. Comparative approaches to long-term care for adults. In Clasen, J. (ed.), Comparative Social Policy: Concepts, Theories and Methods. Blackwell Publishers, Malden, Massachusetts, 136–58.Google Scholar
Tronto, J. C. 1993. Moral Boundaries: A Political Argument for an Ethic of Care. Routledge, London.Google Scholar
Tsutsui, T. and Muramatsu, N. 2005. Care-needs certification in the long-term care insurance system of Japan. Journal of American Geriatrics Society, 53, 3, 522–7.Google Scholar
Wada, Y. 2012. Choice and Care in England and Japan: A Comparative Study of Older People's and Key Informants’ Perspectives. PhD thesis, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.Google Scholar
Wada, Y. 2014. Relational care ethics from a comparative perspective: the ethics of care and Confucian ethics. Ethics and Social Welfare, 8, 4, 350–63.Google Scholar
Walker, A. and Maltby, T. 1997. Ageing Europe. Open University Press, Buckingham, UK.Google Scholar
Webb, P. 2003. Legislating for care: a comparative analysis of long-term care insurance laws in Japan and Germany. Social Science Japan Journal, 6, 1, 39–56.Google Scholar
Yang, K. and Victor, C. 2011. Age and loneliness in 25 European nations. Ageing & Society, 31, 8, 1368–88.Google Scholar
Yeatman, A., Dowsett, G., Fine, M. and Guransky, D. 2009. Individualization and the Delivery of Welfare Services. Contestation and Complexity. Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, UK.Google Scholar