Effect of short-stay service use on stay-at-home duration for elderly with certified care needs: Analysis of long-term care insurance claims data in Japan.

Objective: Home independence is an important issue for the elderly in many countries and cultures. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of short-stay service use on stay-at-home duration for elderly people by level of care need under the Japanese long-term care insurance system.

Methods: We analyzed anonymous, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan Long-Term Care Insurance claims data from Ibaraki Prefecture.