The Definitions of Multimorbidity and Multiple Disabilities(MMD) and the Rehabilitation for MMD

Abstract

Japan has already become the world's first super-aged society. The advent of super-aged society has increased the possibility that the elderly population may have more than one or multiple disabilities. Multiple disabilities generally refer to the state that people have two or more disabilities, but has not clearly defined yet. In other words, there is no standardized definition of the multiple disabilities in the whole world including Japan, because they can be differently defined according to the types of disabilities and pertinent laws or systems. This study aimed to define the multiple disabilities by introducing the ways to define it and trying to produce the standardized definition as Multimorbidity and Multiple Disabilities (MMD). Since the ways to define MMD including the types and degrees of disabilities may make the future for persons with MMD greatly different, they should be taken seriously. Furthermore, to respond with the rehabilitation needs of persons with MMD, the human resources need to be cultivated and the scientific basis needs to be built. ＜Key-words＞ super-aged society, definitions, multimorbidity, multiple disabilities, rehabilitation kohzuki@med.tohoku.ac.jp(Masahiro KOHZUKI) Asian J Human Services, 2015, 8:120-130.