The number of older people who used temporary overnight nursing services at care facilities plunged 20.0% from a year earlier in May, when a state of emergency was declared over the coronavirus pandemic, the government said Friday.
Despite high demand for nursing services in the country with its rapidly graying population, the number of care facility users sharply fell as older people refrained from visiting for fear of being infected and providers limited their services to prevent the spread of the virus, welfare ministry officials said.
Temporary overnight stays at nursing care facilities are meant for those who usually receive care from their family members at home but need services when their caregivers are not available.