Luxurious new nursing home lifts later living to new standard

TOKYO: A luxurious new nursing home has lifted ‘later living’ to new standards.

On Sept 1, nursing home provider Care 21 opened Plaisant Grand Nakano Saginomiya, a private nursing home for the elderly in Nakano Ward, Tokyo.

Osaka-based Care 21 has built and runs 450 nursing homes across Japan, and this is its 43rd private nursing home. Plaisant Grand Nakano Saginomiya promises residents home from home levels of comfort and care, combining a high-quality lifestyle with comprehensive nursing services.

Plaisant Grand Nakano Saginomiya is in Saginomiya, a quiet low-rise residential area in Nakano, a ward west of Shinjuku in Tokyo. It is a three-story building, with a façade elegantly designed to blend in with the surrounding houses.

The interior of each room is clad with natural wood, lending it a sophisticated yet calming atmosphere. Each room has its own spacious toilet, easily accessed from a wheelchair, and each toilet bowl has armrests and backrests, making it easy to lean on and find a comfortable position.

Sitting in the dining room, you would be forgiven for thinking that you were in a top-class hotel. There is a restaurant-style system whereby you can choose from multiple menus for breakfast and lunch, and there are always specials available, using seasonal ingredients. Supervised by a registered dietitian, Plaisant Grand staff prepare delicious, nutritious meals. There is no risk that of getting bored of the food.

The layout of tables and chairs in the bright, open dining room has also been designed with wheelchair users in mind. There is plenty of room to come and go, and the movable partitions allow the space to also be used for mobility classes.

In the garden, there is a wooden deck where you can take the sun with a coffee and the morning papers. There is also a rehabilitation space with small stairs and paths for those wanting to stretch and strengthen their legs.

Plaisant Grand encourages residents to incorporate walking training into their daily lives and provides the support that some elderly people need to stay active. There is a physiotherapist who can design an exercise routine for you and nursing staff to lend a hand when you need it.

In terms of healthcare, Plaisant Grand offers an expert, comprehensive service, in collaboration with residents’ family doctors and the in-house team of resident nurses and caregivers.

For residents living with the debilitating effects of dementia, nursing home provider Care 21 has an original dementia care package that it has honed over many years’ experience of helping dementia sufferers get the most out of life.

There is a concierge who can attend to every individual’s needs and is more than happy to accompany residents who would like to go shopping in Saginomiya, where they will find a traditional shopping street and shops catering to all their daily requirements.

In addition, there is a family guest room on the ground floor, where family members can stay, so residents can meet up with family members as if they were at home. It comes equipped with a kitchenette and bathroom and is available for rent by the hour or by the night. The facility is also equipped with a large car park, making it easy for families to visit by car.

For those who prefer to come by train, Plaisant Grand Nakano Saginomiya is just a 10-minute walk from Fujimidai station on the Seibu Ikebukuro line and a 14-minute walk from Saginomiya station on the Seibu Shinjuku line.

Prices vary according to the size of room. An 18-square-meter room will set you back a thoroughly reasonable ¥346,700 per month, while a 36-square-meter room can be yours for the only marginally less reasonable price of ¥673,400.