SNA (Tokyo) — Kaoru Mori, president of Japan Elderly Care Service, explains the concept and effectiveness of his Day Service Las Vegas initiative.

Transcript

Kaoru Mori: I’ve been involved in the day service industry for more than ten years. This mainly involves senior citizens exercise programs. But if it’s only to come out and exercise then there are many seniors who just aren’t interested. Somehow we had to make them want to come out. I wanted a facility that could draw them by their own will.

About four years ago I went on a business trip. In Nevada, there are many new facilities for the elderly. While in Las Vegas one day I visited MGM Grand. All the people there were seniors. They were clearly enjoying themselves greatly. They weren’t wagering a lot of money; the game stakes were like 10 or 15 dollars. But their sense of excitement was apparent. In Japan, gambling has a very bad image, but over there it’s seen more as a sport or a game. It has quite a bright image. I thought I somehow wanted to make use of this.

We use no money whatsoever in our games. This isn’t gambling, but rather gaming, so the people come and use these facilities. And, how should I say… It’s all about playing, and through that playing the brain is stimulated. We have been advised about this point from doctors. It is that kind of recreation.

If you are going to provide care for senior citizens, first they have to come out of their homes. There are many who never leave their homes at all. There are even many who don’t leave their bedrooms. It’s our mission to find ways to bring them outside. We need to cultivate their desire to come outside according to their own will to do so. Perhaps the best way to do this is with a casino. I believe that everyone enjoys casino. That’s what we are doing here. And we have non-casino games like mahjong too, because they enjoy themselves they gather here. And so our plan to bring them out is achieved.

Get the feeling that your news services aren’t telling you the whole truth? That’s what happens when they get their operating money from governments and business corporations. SNA relies exclusively upon its subscribers in order to remain fully independent. Please support fearless and progressive media in Japan through Patreon.

For breaking news, follow on Twitter @ShingetsuNews