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When I lived in Japan back in the 80s, doctor visits were basically free. They took all day though, partially because the elderly would go to the doctor to inte
by innocentoldguy 8y ago
When I lived in Japan back in the 80s, doctor visits were basically free. They took all day though, partially because the elderly would go to the doctor to interact with other people, rather than for a real medical need, thus clogging up the system.
- newnewpdro 8y agoThis seems so strange to me, do they not have cafes where strangers can socialize over a cheap cup of coffee or tea?
- konart 8y ago>do they not have cafes where strangers can socialize over a cheap cup of coffee or tea? Surely they have. But you have to order something and there is a good change you won't meet anyone of your age. If you come to a free clinic - you don't pay anything and you are immediately surrounded by people of your age (if we are talking about eldery as in this case).
- mhd 8y agoShared suffering is also a good conversation starter for the elderly. Some waiting rooms turn into a kind of Four Yorkshiremen sketch quickly. And yes, that's not good. The whole world hasn't quite come to terms yet with situation that we've got a whole lot of old people, neither with the healthy ones, nor the infirm ones. Given the sheer amount of both, there should be way more opportunities and organizations for them (not just the church and political parties). But that's not a sexy topic for startup bros and the VCs that love them.
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- ekianjo 8y agoIts not in free clinics, its Day Care where old people go to in Japan to spend time with planned activities.
- konart 8y agoWell, I'm generalizing here. And in Russia, where I'm from, its in free (read as state) clinics. The point stays the same.
- Markoff 8y agothis is resolved in China in IKEA, coffee is cheap or even free and they have nice environment to hang out OTOH even regular younger Chinese use IKEA showrooms literally as their living rooms, I can see appeal especially in hot weather
- konart 8y agoWell, you can find a place to spend your time without paying anything in many places. In Russia we have "social welfare centers" where they provide elderly with different sorts of entertainment. (well, entertainment maybe not the best word. This like dance evenings).
- rangibaby 8y agoit's the same now, clinic visits are very cheap but you will end up waiting for 1-2 old people (if you are lucky!)
- ekianjo 8y ago1 or 2 old people? You must be kidding. In a normal sized city where most people live you have at least 10 people in the waiting line every single day of the week and saturday too. Clinics and hospitals and Japan are completely inadequate and doctors mostly spend just 5 mins per patient which is ridiculous.
- Aeolun 8y agoI dunno, seems more likely the old people are there for a reason. Anyway, I’ll take waiting a few minutes for free healthcare over paying for instant. The only thing I’d like is for the quality to be a bit higher.