Difference in long-term care cost obtained with the short-term intensive prevention service (day service type C): A 3-year follow-up study of Japanese older adults

Abstract

Aim: A short-term intensive prevention service, known as day service type C, involves professional intervention for 3 to 6 months to enhance participants' social participation and roles within their communities. This study aimed to evaluate whether implementing short-term intensive prevention services reduces cumulative long-term care (LTC) costs over a 3-year period, compared with the situation for non-participants. Methods: This study included older adults aged 65 years and older from Taketa City, Oita Prefecture. A total of 132 individuals participated in short-term intensive prevention services from 2016 to 2019, and the non-participant group comprised 116 individuals identified as eligible for services through a self-administered postal survey in 2019 (both groups at baseline). The non-participant group was selected as part of the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study. Both groups were followed up for 3 years from baseline. The cumulative LTC costs derived from the public claims records served as the dependent variable. The covariates were sex, living situation, income, level of long-term care need, and risk assessment scale. Linear regression analysis was performed. Results: The participants incurred 241 398 JPY (± 681 335) per person, while the non-participants incurred 1 147 858 JPY (± 1 244 750). The adjusted linear regression showed that the LTC cost for the participants was lower by 495 534 (−848 382 to −142 686) JPY per person than that for those in the non-participation group. Conclusions: Compared with non-participants, the participants incurred approximately 500 000 JPY less in cumulative LTC costs per person over the subsequent 3 years. The widespread adoption of short-term, intensive prevention services may contribute to the sustainability of LTC insurance systems. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; 25: 1058–1064.