LIFULL Kaigo Survey Reveals "Ohitorisama" Seniors Tend to Start Searching for Facilities at a Younger Age

LIFULL senior, operator of the nursing home search site "LIFULL Kaigo," released a survey on facility searching trends among single elderly people. The study found that inquiries from this group now constitute about 30% of the total and are increasing annually. Compared to seniors living with their children, single individuals are more than twice as likely to make inquiries themselves. A significant 60% begin their search while still "independent" (not requiring care), and 40% start considering options by their 70s. These individuals also tend to inquire about more expensive facilities, with 40% looking at options over 150,000 JPY per month. This trend indicates a shift from seeking facilities out of necessity for care to proactively choosing a residence for a secure and fulfilling future life.