A Study of Problems of the Living and Oral Conditions of the Elderly with Physical Disability and Those with Dementia in an Area with a Rapidly Aging Population, and Conclusions on Measures to be taken

Report 1. Living Conditions, Oral Functional Disorders, Oral Diseases and Conditions of Dentures

Abstract

In Japan, the population is aging faster than in any other country. The eldertly aged ≥65 years accounted for 17.2% of the total population in 1999, and this protprtion is expected to increase to 27.4% in 2025 and 32.3%. in 2050. With an increase in the elderly, the number of those with care needs will also increase. To practice evidence-based medicine in such a situation, evaluation of the situation and clarification of problems are necessary .
Therefore, as a model of rapidly aging society in the future in Japan, we evaluated the living and oral conditions in the elderly with care need in Goka-mura, Oki-gun, Shimane Prefecture, an area with a rapidly aging population. The elderly with care needs were classified into those with physical disabitity and those with dementia. The characteristics of each group were analyzed, and the results were discussed.The problems were clarified, their measures were evaluated, and some conclusions were obtained.