Aim: This study aimed to elucidate the employment support experiences of individuals with early-onset dementia (EOD).Methods: Participant observation and interviews were conducted on individuals with EOD receiving continuous support for employment services – type B. Field notes and verbatim interview transcripts were analyzed using the micro-ethnography method. The Ethics Committee of the presenting institution approved the study.Results: The core category identified was "feeling unable to perform anything owing to dementia, replaced by an improved mood when attending the facility."The related categories began with "continuing to do what I can without causing trouble" and progressed to "reaching the facility without getting lost, thanks to the transportation service." Additional experiences included "informing family members and fellow users of my condition," "enjoying support and activities with other users," "engaging in favorite activities that I cannot do alone," and "facing my fears and trying things." Ultimately, these experiences culminated in "attending a safe place," "being trusted and finding meaning through cooking," and "willingly attending the facility despite worsening symptoms."Conclusion: The individual with early-onset dementia attended the facility without hesitation, engaged in meaningful activities, gained an understanding of her surroundings, and collaborated with other users. This experience gave her a sense of security and greater autonomy, expressing her desire to continue attending the facility.

Aim: We aimed to determine whether the Trail Making Test Part A (TMT-A) is a useful tool for predicting home discharge in patients with acute cerebral infarction.Methods: This was a retrospective observational study. The subjects were acute stroke patients. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the influence of the TMT-A on determining the home discharge. We created three models to predict home discharge. Age, NIHSS, BRS of the upper extremity, and number of people living with the patient in addition the MMSE-J was used for Model 1, the TMT-A for Model 2, and both for Model 3 as the cognitive assessment. NRI and IDI analyses were conducted to compare the predictive accuracy of each model for home discharge.Results: The analysis included 164 patients, and 119 were discharged home. Logistic regression analysis showed that the TMT-A influenced home discharge in a model that includes the TMT-A (Model 2: p = 0.009, Model 3: p = 0.024). NRI did not lead to an improvement in home discharge predictive accuracy. On the other hand, IDI showed that models containing TMT-A (Model 2 & 3)has significantly improved the prediction accuracy than a model that does not contain TMT-A (Model 1 vs Model 2: IDI = 0.034, p = 0.041; Model 1 vs Model 3: IDI = 0.033, p = 0.034).Conclusions: TMT-A helps predict discharge home in patients with acute cerebral infarction. The addition of TMT-A to the model for predicting home discharge may lead to an improvement in the accuracy of predicting home discharge.

Objective: The purpose of this study was examined the effect of shoe fit on static balance in older adults classified by risk of falls.Methods: fifty-six community-dwelling older women were classified "low fall risk group" and "high fall risk group" by open-eyed one-leg stand time. Stabilometry was used to measure static balance, and the locus length per unit time, rectangular area, and anteroposterior and mediolateral speeds were calculated. Shoe size was measured using a Brannock device, and three measurements were taken: foot length (from heel to toe), arch length (from heel to first metatarsophalangeal joint), and width (width of foot). The larger values of the indicated foot and arch lengths were determined to be the appropriate shoe lengths, and the value of the width was determined to be the appropriate shoe width. In cases wherein the shoe length and width differed between the left and right shoes, the larger value was used. Shoes were classified as either a "fit" or an "ill-fit" (when the length was 1.0 cm and the width was one size larger than compatible size). A two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to analyze the effects of ill-fitting shoes on static balance.Results: A significant interaction between shoe fit and the risk of falls in the rectangular area (P = 0.012), mediolateral speeds (P = 0.032) was observed.Conclusions: The present study suggests that ill-fitting shoes affect static balance only among older adults at high risk of falls. Therefore, wearing fitted shoes may be important for fall prevention among older people at high risk of falls.

This study aimed to examine the construct-related validity of the Japanese version of The Health Enhancement Lifestyle Profile (HELP), in the hope of helping ensure a healthy lifestyle expectancy in Japan, a country with an aging population. Methods: A web-based survey was conducted using a prototype of the Japanese version of the HELP on a sample of 180 community-dwelling adults aged 55 years or older. Factor analysis (exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis) was performed to attest the construct validity of the Japanese version of the HELP. Results and Conclusions: The factor analysis results confirmed a 24-item, 6-factor structure. The confirmatory factor analysis results revealed a highly compatible factor structure with CMIN/DF = 1.435, CFI = 0.980, GFI = 0.949, and RMSEA = 0.049. The factor structure differed from the original version, which had seven factors. We will continue to examine the reliability, criterion-related validity, and responsiveness of the Japanese version of HELP in order to introduce it to the local community.

[Aim] This study aimed to clarify the current status and actual conditions of the community-based integrated care prevention services in Japan and to explore future research challenges. [Methods] A literature search was conducted using the Ichushi Web and CiNii databases, and screening was performed based on specific selection criteria. [Results] A total of 40 articles were finally selected. Of these, 9 studies included information related to diseases, 9 studies focused on activities and participation, and 6 studies involved rehabilitation professionals. [Conclusions] Since the amendment of the Long-Term Care Insurance Act in 2014, the promotion of preventive care with a focus on activity and participation, as well as the involvement of rehabilitation professionals, has been emphasized. However, the findings of this review revealed that only a limited number of studies have fully incorporated these perspectives. Further research is needed to enhance studies focusing on activities and participation and to explore the effective involvement of rehabilitation professionals.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In geriatric health services facilities (GHSFs), the rehabilitation occupations mainly shoulder the role of maintaining and improving function, but inpatients in GHSFs often have psychological problems such as depression and loneliness. Especially, loneliness is related to reduction in body function and activities of daily living, and it can become a factor which inhibits residents from returning home. In this case report, we assessed changes in loneliness as a result of engagement in group activities in a geriatric facility and evaluated the quality of the engagement in the activities provided.CASE: The patient was an 80-year-old woman of with left lower extremity paralysis caused by cardiogenic cerebral embolism. Group activity was carried out 2 times a week for 4 weeks in addition to the usual rehabilitation sessions 3 times a week. The reminiscence method was carried out in the first half of the group activity, and it was changed to work activity at the patient's request in the latter half. Loneliness was assessed before and after group activities; the Activity Engagement Scale was used during the activity, and the Three-Item Loneliness Scale (TIL) was used immediately after the activity.RESULTS: Although loneliness before and after group activities remained unchanged, TIL improved immediately after the activities. The engagement to activity improved over time, and the patient's desired work activity showed a tendency to more improve.CONCLUSION: Group activities in GHSFs may prevent worsening of or reduce loneliness immediately after implementation.