What is long-term care certification? A clear explanation of the application process and the difference between requiring support and requiring care.

"I was told to apply for long-term care insurance at the hospital," "I've heard of needing long-term care, but I don't really understand it"—many people who are new to long-term care may feel this way. Long-term care certification is a system in which the local government determines how much care and support a person needs. By receiving certification, you can receive support tailored to your condition, such as home care, day services, rental of welfare equipment, and admission to long-term care facilities.

The difference between needing support and needing care.

The long-term care needs assessment has seven levels, ranging from Level 1-2 (requiring support) to Level 1-5 (requiring care). The higher the number, the greater the degree of care needed. Roughly speaking, "requiring support" means "being able to live independently with some assistance," while "requiring care" means "requiring assistance in daily life."

Application process

• Consult with or apply to a community comprehensive support center or your local municipality.
• Undergo an assessment to confirm the individual's condition.
• The attending physician will prepare the opinion letter.
• The municipal government will conduct the review.
• You will receive the results of your certification as needing support or care (approximately 30 days after application).

If this is your first time, the first step is to consult with your local community comprehensive support center. You can get free advice not only on how to apply, but also on available care services and the next steps. After certification, the community comprehensive support center will primarily assist those requiring support, while a care manager will primarily assist those requiring care level 1 or higher in creating a care plan, so you don't need to make decisions alone as a family.

Once caregiving begins, you'll also need to prepare clothing.

When you start using care services, you may need clothing tailored to your condition and living environment, such as undershirts that open in the front, clothes that are easy to change in while using a wheelchair, and clothes that can be put in a dryer. It's a good idea to prepare these in advance.