Bodybuilders, wrestlers and MMA fighters fill caregiver roles in Japan's nursing homes
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Apr 25
Bodybuilders, wrestlers and MMA fighters fill caregiver roles in Japan's nursing homes
5 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Apr 25
Facilities like Atto Life Care in Ichinomiya now employ athletes such as Hokuto Tatsumi and Takuya Usui to assist elderly residents.
These athletes receive steady employment, free housing, gym memberships, and protein supplements, while helping with daily tasks like bathing, cooking, and exercise routines.
The initiative addresses a critical care worker shortage amid Japan’s aging population, diversifies the caregiving workforce, and challenges traditional perceptions of male roles in elder care.
Will retired sumo wrestlers transform care for Japan's overlooked elderly men?
With bodybuilders as caregivers, is Japan redefining the value of physical strength?
Beyond muscle, what training ensures athletes can provide compassionate elder care?
Can hiring athletes fix a care system facing a projected $645 billion gap?
Is trading the fighting ring for a nursing home a sustainable career path?