Abstract
In order to obtain basic knowledge about the factors associated with the intelligence level of the aged, a survey which consisted of measurement of the intelligence level of the elderly with a scale designed by Hasegawa (HS), assessment of activities of daily living (ADL), and interviews for getting information about the social environment of the subject were carried out on 851 people over 65 years of age residing in 3 regions located in the center of Wakayama prefecture. The results of this survey were as follows:
1. Both psychological space and the living sphere become smaller with aging.
2. The ADL assessment method designed for the aged in nursing homes is applicable to the elderly residing at home. By cluster analysis, 5 factors constituting ADL were identified. Those were physical independence, moving and acting ability, fundamental life circumstances, sensory ability and the ability to communicate.
3. By the analysis using a quantification method entitled “I” (designed by Hayashi), 5 factors associated with the HS score were differentiated between the sexes. In the case of males, they were age, secretory function, ideal life style, minor adjustment ability in daily life and education. In the case of females, age, having a purpose in life, the sphere of daily activity, education and participation in meetings for the elderly.
