Association between Social Activities and the Japan Science and Technology Agency Index of Competence (JST-IC) among Community-dwelling Older Adults

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the association between social activities (based on the Scale of Social Activities among Community-dwelling older adults [SSAC]) and the Japan Science and Technology Agency Index of Competence among community dwelling older adults. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted targeting approximately 1900 registered members at a human resource center for older people (“Silver Human Resources Center”) in city A. Individuals aged younger than 65 years and those whose total score for social activities could not be calculated were excluded. Data analysis was finally performed on 566 older adults. Those with a score of 12 or more on the SSAC were classified into a high social activity group. When the scores for ‘use of new equipment’ (OR＝1.48, p＝0.004), ‘information gathering’ (OR＝1.27, p＝0.027), and ‘lifestyle management’ (OR＝1.25, p＝0.019) increased, the OR for the high social activity group increased. Maintenance and improvement of high living functions are important for promoting social activity among elderly people.