2024 Volume 75 Issue 10 Pages 510-522
In Town B, District B, Hiroshima Prefecture, where the birthrate is declining and the population is aging, they have started a smartphone consultation event for elderly people aged 65 and over in collaboration with the CSR headquarters of Company C. Students at High School A Lifestyle Welfare Department were asked for their cooperation. The purpose of this study was to examine the results and challenges of the "Easy Smartphone Consultation" jointly conducted by High School A, Town Planning Division B, and CSR Head-quarters of Company C. A questionnaire survey of both high school students and elderly participants was carried out in order to elicit suggestions for effective ways for high school students to support the elderly. The efforts of the "Easy Smartphone Consultation Meeting" are not only aimed at solving the daily life issues of the elderly, but also high school students' recognition of learning outcomes in welfare-related subjects, deepening understanding of the problems of the elderly, and improving awareness of local elderly support.
It was also inferred that the following three points are necessary for high school students to provide effective support for the elderly. ① Before providing support to the elderly, high school students must acquire knowledge and skills regarding the physical and mental characteristics of the elderly and how to interact with them; ② High school students should be in a position to utilize their own qualities and abilities as well as the knowledge and skills they have acquired in class; ③ A system should be put in place to assign personnel with more specialized knowledge and to follow up with high school students who find it difficult to support the elderly.
