2019 Volume 40 Issue 4 Pages 393-402
This study aimed to examine social activity in elderly persons requiring support and identify factors that exert an influence on their social activities. The subjects were elderly persons age ≥65 years who been certified as requiring support and who lived in an area managed by A community General Support Center, located within a designated core city. Excluding care facility residents, the total number of subjects was 788. Survey content included social activity and the individual, physical, and social factors that likely exert an influence on it. The survey was conducted through anonymous, self-administered questionnaires. Valid responses were obtained from 411 subjects, and factors related to social activity were identified through multiple regression analysis. The results showed that social activities of elderly persons requiring support often included interaction with the community or with neighbors. The following five factors were found to be related to social activity: score on the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence, certification category, provision of social support, non-family support network, and use of public transportation. Maintaining physical function, as well as supporting relationships with friends or acquaintances in the community and role-players that can provide support are suggested to be crucial for promoting social activity in elderly persons requiring support.
