As it grows more common in rapidly aging Japan that senior citizens will die at home instead of in a hospital, efforts are underway to train people who can ease their final days.
The End-of-Life Care Association of Japan, launched in 2015, is at the forefront of initiatives to help the elderly and those suffering from terminal illnesses come to terms with their approaching end.
While family members and caregivers may have little to offer in the way of medical intervention, they will increasingly be called on to play a significant role in addressing patients' emotional and psychological needs in the last stages of their lives.