Eighteen years have passed since the long-term care insurance specialist, a new profession coinciding with the long-term care insurance system, was established to be responsible for managing the support- and care-needing elderly. The long-term care insurance system aims to help the elderly "live independently at home to the best of their ability." Long-term care insurance specialists "possess specialized knowledge and skills related to the provision of necessary support for the independent living of those needing care," and make suggestions regarding services and support needed in the integrated community care system. By referring to case examples, I report the work of long-term care insurance specialists, who through trial and error, continue to build trusting relationships with those who experience obstacles or difficulties in their lives, and collaborate with other professions.
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