When a parent worsens partway through a certification, you do not wait for it to expire; you ask for a re-assessment. Hospitalization is the usual trigger, since people often come home far weaker than they left. Raise it with the care manager or support center, who handle the paperwork. Families abroad often keep paying out of pocket for the shortfall, not realizing the level itself can be moved up.
Read more: Appeals and level changes
Related terms
- 要介護1–5（youkaigo）— care levels 1–5
- ケアマネジャー（care manager / kea mane）— care manager
- 要介護認定（youkaigo nintei）— care-need certification
Getting help with this
See the full Japanese elder care glossary, or start with our long-term care insurance guide. If you would rather have someone handle the Japanese side, our care navigation service helps foreign families step by step, and you can contact us with your situation. Definitions are general orientation; rules vary by municipality (see our editorial policy).