Literature Review of Home Care for First-Generation Chinese Returnees

More than 90% of Chinese returnees who returned permanently to Japan after the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China in 1972 are over 70 years old, and their care needs are increasing. In order to clarify the support needs of Chinese returnees whose caregiving problems are becoming more serious, this study organized and analyzed the literature on care for first-generation Chinese returnees and their caregiving problems and suggested solutions. We searched the Ichushi-Web (Japan Central Revuo Medicina Web, ver. 5), CiNii, and PubMed databases for journal articles focusing on home care for returnees from China published since the enactment of long-term care insurance in 2000. Five articles were selected for analysis. As a result, there were few papers on home care and the studies included not only first-generation Chinese returnees but also second-generation returnees. Data collection required Chinese translators and interpreters. Three types of problems were identified: problems arising from cultural differences, problems related to the care system, and problems related to support in the local community. Four suggestions are made for each of these three issues, and there is a need for future research.