"Welfare manicures," which involve nail technicians visiting care facilities to decorate the nails of the elderly and people with disabilities, are blossoming in Japan.
According to a training organization, the number of certified welfare nail technicians has surged 3.5 times over four years. Staff at care facilities report that this service significantly enhances residents' quality of life, adding a splash of color to their everyday routine.
The practice of welfare manicures dates back to 2012 when Yukari Araki, who owned a nail salon, offered her services to a nursing home. The overwhelming demand at the nursing home inspired Araki to establish the Japan Health Welfare Nailist Association in the city of Kishiwada, Osaka Prefecture, to promote the practice.