small-scale elderly care home
Refers to a small, community-based residential facility for elderly people who need daily assistance, typically with a home-like atmosphere. Often contrasted with larger nursing homes (特別養護老人ホーム).
My grandmother is being cared for at a small elderly home in the neighborhood.
Small elderly care homes have a more homely atmosphere than large facilities.
Standard kanji spelling; 宅 (home) + 老 (elderly) + 所 (place).
Alternate spelling using 託 (entrust), emphasizing the care aspect. Less common than 宅老所.
Compound of 宅 (home), 老 (elderly), and 所 (place). The alternate spelling 託老所 uses 託 (entrust) to emphasize the caregiving aspect. The term emerged in the late 20th century as a community-based alternative to large nursing homes.