The story of my mother, born in 1940, who had only ever lived in the Tokyo metropolitan area, starting a life alone in Yamagata, where I live (Part 2)

4. Various types of elderly care facilities

That said, I had never once thought about supporting her life in Yamagata until now. It was time to gather information from scratch. First, I had to grasp the overall picture of facilities where the elderly live.

I browsed beginner-friendly pages on the internet. Even just saying "elderly care facility" covers a lot of ground. The standard for choosing one is the level of care required. I was aware that her current condition didn't require nursing care, but I learned for the first time that this state is categorized by the term "independent." Once I understood that, the options narrowed down. For my "independent" mother, the first facility I visited, a "Care House (low-cost nursing home)," seemed like a suitable choice. Honestly, the term "nursing home" doesn't quite sit right with me, but the sound of "low-cost" isn't bad. In addition, I kept an eye on facilities that would allow for a smooth transition if nursing care became necessary in the future. Is a "residential-type private nursing home" along those lines? There is another type called "Service-Supported Housing for the Elderly (Sakoju)." I had an image that while elderly people in the city spend their time elegantly there, it costs a fair amount, so I hadn't considered this very seriously.

Next, I relied on a drinking buddy who is a care manager living in the neighborhood. I told them about my mother's current situation and asked for advice on whether facilities around here would be good. They seemed concerned about whether someone who had lived in an urban area could adapt to Yamagata, but given my mother's situation, it seems "Sakoju" is also recommended. In addition, they immediately prepared and delivered materials for suitable facilities. This was truly reassuring and I was grateful.

Based on this, I considered the next places to visit. The Care House at the foot of the mountain in Yamagata City that I had first set my sights on had no vacancies at this time, so I passed on visiting it. The facilities I made appointments to visit this time were a "residential-type private nursing home" about a 5-minute drive from my house, and a "Service-Supported Housing for the Elderly (Sakoju)" near Yamagata Station. Before I knew it, the residential-type private nursing home had become my top choice because it was close to home and I was familiar with the operator through my work.

5. Second facility visit

The facility visit in Yamagata was in late February, when snow still remained. I brought my mother, who had come alone on the Yamagata Shinkansen, to visit the two facilities I had reserved. Both had kind staff members who explained things to us with great care. The facility in the neighborhood, in particular, was bright with sunlight pouring in from a skylight, and the impression of the building was not bad. However, the cooking facilities and refrigerators were shared, and there was a strong sense that daily life was entirely dependent on the staff. Also, it bothered me that the residents seemed to spend a lot of time on their beds.

My mother herself, although she said she was tired of cooking for herself, seemed concerned about the lack of individual cooking facilities and a refrigerator. Above all, she preferred an atmosphere where she could go out freely and spend her time as she pleased, like the student dormitory-style Care House we saw first.

I told the young staff member who guided us at the second facility about that. He then suggested that if that was the case, the Sakoju in the city center would surely suit her. This was unexpected. I wonder if he, with his dyed hair and piercings, is also a care manager. The kindness that exuded from him. This is the kind of place Yamagata is.

Since it would be difficult to come for a visit from Kashiwa again, I called the facility he suggested right away, thinking it was worth a shot. Despite the sudden contact (and even though it was a public holiday), they said they would accept a visit. The facility, which was less than a 10-minute drive away, was a neat building that looked like an ordinary apartment building at first glance, standing in the central urban area of Yamagata.

6. To the Sakoju in the central urban area

The person who assisted us was a good-natured male staff member around my age. We immediately got on the elevator and were shown the floor with the residential units. The indoor shared corridor, accented with low-saturation green, was bright with outside light from high windows and was fully air-conditioned. The way the doors of each room were lined up in an orderly fashion was not much different from a rental apartment. The signs, such as floor indicators, were also simple, which gave me a good impression as it didn't look like an elderly care facility.

The room was a 1DK, and both rooms had openings on the east side. Both rooms had windows spanning the full width, and the DK had a large floor-to-ceiling sliding window that led to a balcony. The kitchen had an IH stove, albeit with only one burner, and the sink was of a practical size. There was also storage and space for a refrigerator, so it would be enough to make simple meals for one person. The bathroom, toilet, and vanity were also spacious, and there was even a large, deep closet. Compared to my 3LDK apartment in Kashiwa, it was compact, but isn't this just right for living alone?

Looking around again, its location is also attractive. Although it is in Yamagata, it is in the center of the prefectural capital, with a municipal general hospital right in front and the city hall about a 5-minute walk away. In addition to the city's loop bus running frequently, the area in front of the city hall is a bus terminal heading to the suburbs. Even my mother, who does not own a car, seems to be able to do her daily shopping and go to the hospital on her own.

As for me, my concern was my mother's wishes. Actually, during the visit to this facility, she seemed to be absent-minded. It was no wonder, as coming to Yamagata from Kashiwa by Shinkansen in the morning was a task in itself, and she had already visited two facilities. In fact, her hearing had also become quite poor, so listening to strangers talk one after another must have required energy. Even so, she seemed to have a good impression of the kitchen and the abundant sunlight, so she decided to make this her first choice without thinking too much about it. It was a Sakoju in the central urban area of Yamagata City that I hadn't anticipated at all. You never know until you try moving.

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