“Nursing care x country living”

It is the mind that awakens, not the body.

I first met Ms. S 10 years ago.
Initially, Ms. S was bedridden at home. We thought that if she could take a bath and keep herself clean at the day care center, she would be okay.
At the family’s request, we decided to send our child to Hidamari (now Kuromamesan).

Assisting Ms. S with bathing, helping with excretion, preparing meals, and picking her up and dropping her off.
We were doing our job of providing basic care, but Ms. S said to us:

“I would rather die than depend on you so much.”

I was shocked.
I realized that I would never be able to see Ms. S’s smile if I just provided care.

We started having a real conversation with Ms. S.
What kind of life was it?
What do you like?
What are you good at?
Is there anyone you want to meet?
after that…
Teach me how to make pickles!
Tell me how to plant beans!
I want to cook rice in an oven, but I have no idea how to do it, so help me!!

Before we knew it, Ms. S had started walking with a walker and was helping us out with a smile on her face.
It’s not that Ms. S couldn’t walk. It’s that she didn’t have the desire to walk.
It wasn’t my body that needed to be awakened, it was my mind.

Kuromame has quit caregiving, which was limited to just looking after the elderly and providing rehabilitation and recreation.
By learning from the elderly, we can bring back the traditional “country lifestyle”
This is because both the elderly people and staff are becoming more and more energetic and smiling.

The nursing care that Kuromame is currently practicing has been combined with the rural living that is in demand at this time and has become the seed for town development.

“Nursing care” x “Countryside living”

I want to grow this seed.

I had the same thoughts as Kuromame-san.
This is a challenge that only Kuromame-san and you can take on.

Please stay tuned.