Abstract
There are many advantages to unit-care welfare facilities' care services for the elderly in Japan. The field research was conducted after holding interviews with employees at five elderly welfare facilities in Japan. This research analyzes the space arrangement of unit-care welfare facilities in Japan's Tohoku rural area. The purpose of this study is to provide design data on the space arrangement of a unit-care facility for Korea. The results of research are as follows. 1. Cafes, restaurants, and stores were operated in the elderly welfare facilities, which were open to the general public as well. Therefore, local residents frequently visited. 2. The kitchen, living rooms, private bedrooms and construction of the elderly welfare facilities were similar to that of normal residential houses. 3. The event hall is conveniently located at the center of the facility. 4. It was easy to understand the health status of the elderly by having a health office in the open living room. 5. There were open spaces which are frequently used by the homebound elderly, including room rehabilitation, daycare and short term residence. The above results will be used for space planning data in Korean unit-care facilities.