Providing online support using handheld tablets has been investigated for maintaining mental health and improving and preventing physical frailty in older adults since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The methods and applications of online support have expanded to include communicating with family members and friends, rehabilitation, and health observation. There are new concerns that the number COVID-19 infections might continue to fluctuate due to virus mutations over the long term, and frailty and cognitive decline might increase in older adults due to decreased outing and exercise opportunities, as well as persistent anxiety and loneliness. Therefore, online support has developed from the trial stage to being a part of the daily support infrastructure for older adults. This study conducted interviews with service providers and developers who have been developing and implementing multi-layered online support for home care patients since 2014 in Helsinki and nursing home and home-visit nursing stations’ online support managers in Japan. As a result, this study identified critical issues in supporting older adults by using ICT communication services.

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Gymnastics and other physical and recreational activities that were held at senior citizens’ facilities have been suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent infections. Moreover, globally, meetings, lectures, and training programs are now conducted using Zoom and Microsoft teams. In light of the current situation, we developed a method and an instruction manual for simultaneous, interactive online training for providing psychological support using Dohsa-hou through lectures and practicums. Specifically, we developed a practical training format for conducting Dohsa-hou consisting of explanations and practicums, structured as a flow from preparations, explanations, exercises to a questionnaire for participants. We also presented the key points of the training and developed a checklist, which would be compiled as an instruction manual. We also discussed the essential issues for supporters implementing this method with older adults.

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Conducting face-to-face activities in the community has become problematic due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and community activities are gradually conducted online. This paper describes how we overcame this challenge by designing an online learning environment to support older adults, keep them socially active in the community, and maintain close connection with the group. We conducted three online workshops with local older adults and college students to develop an online learning environment. The participants voluntarily initiated three online community groups through these workshops, which have remained active to date. The collaborative process between the two generations in these three workshops can be examined by applying the three phases of 'cognitive apprenticeship theory'. We found that it was easier for older adults to ask for help and advice when they were provided a safe and supportive environment where a common goal was shared, and a collaborative relationship was maintained between groups. In addition, group members quickly learned to help and support each other naturally. As a results, the psychological burden felt by many older adults gradually eases. Moreover, they learned that showing weakness and asking for help is a natural part of wellbeing. We believe that this is a wonderful solution for the aging society.

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Objective: This study investigated if elderly chronic heart failure patients’ self-monitoring behavior improved through telenursing by analyzing changes in nurse-patient interactions. Methods: Video call records of 15 telenursing intervention sessions over 12 months were analyzed by focusing primarily on interactions with nurses about predetermined checks on three patients’ condition. The interactions were assessed with a scale using the criteria: “increasing the patient’s awareness, and assisting in interpretation.” The scale scores for each item were compared between the first six sessions (first 3 months) and the last four sessions (last 4 months) of the intervention. Results: Most interactions for “increasing the patient’s awareness, and assisting in making interpretations” took place in the first six sessions, which decreased significantly in the last four sessions, as indicated by the test of independence and Mann-Whitney U test. Consequently, the interventions in the final phase were shorter than in the initial phase. Conclusion: Analysis of telenursing intervention records confirmed improvements in the patients’ self-monitoring ability through telenursing. It is concluded that the telenursing intervention model is effective for improving self-monitoring in elderly patients with chronic heart failure.

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We conducted a physical performance test using an internet-based system (online testing) to evaluate potential online physical performance testing problems in the promotion of older adults’ health. Participants were 26 older adult members of a multi-generation learning community. We conducted three physical performance tests using Zoom or LINE as video communication tools. These tests included (1) time standing on one leg with eyes open, (2) chair stand test, and (3) stepping. In addition, oral interviews were conducted about the participants’ daily activity levels. Participants also reported their impressions of the test after testing was completed. The data of 16 participants that had also participated in face-to-face testing two years previously were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. Furthermore, participants’ impressions regarding online testing were classified based on the content of their responses. The results indicated that scores for the chair stand test declined significantly in the 16 repeat participants, whereas no significant changes were observed in standing on one leg with eyes open or stepping. The comments about online testing included, “The preparations were a burden,” “Online tests will be useful in the future,” and “it was a good opportunity to exercise.” These results suggest that the validity of online tests of chair stand test and stepping is comparable to face-to-face tests. However, the study also identified problems with standardizing the test environment, including difficulties in prior preparation and the need for testing internet connectivity. However, most participants approved this testing approach. It is suggested that online testing can contribute to older peoples’ health promotion

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The purpose of this study is to determine the actual work conditions, including the perspective of decision-making ability evaluation, issues in the field, and the need for educational programs for psychologists engaging in clinical geropsychology. A questionnaire survey was conducted from November 2016 to February 2018 by mail or e-mail. An analysis of 88 psychologists who completed the survey revealed that they were more likely to be engaged in assessment (n=86, 97.7%), of which 44.2% (n=38) had experience in evaluating decision-making capacity. Additionally, 92.0% (n=81) of the respondents answered that they were facing work problems. Many of them felt that not only the implementation of the assessment, but also the method and content of feedback of the assessment results, and how to share information and collaborate with other occupations, were serious concerns. Results also showed a high demand for the educational program. In particular, the needs for neuropsychological assessment skills including feedback on results and medical knowledge on psychiatric symptoms or dementia were high. Results suggest that a practical and convenient educational program for psychologists engaging in geropsychology is required in order to improve the quality of the psychological profession and to give back to society.

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We examined 25 lawsuits in 2016, in which testamentary capacity was an issue, from a medical perspective to obtain primary data on testamentary capacity evaluation. Cognitive decline was reported in 22 cases, of which 10 cases had a diagnosis of dementia. There were 13 cases with psychiatric symptoms. The judges reviewed the results of cognitive tests, including the revised version of Hasegawa's Dementia Scale, medical records, neuroimaging, ADL suggested by other records, psychiatric symptoms, and testators' condition when making their testament. The complexity of the will and its rationality based on the relationship with the heir(s) was also considered. As people who make a will are expected to increase in the future, corroboration between lawyers, geriatric psychiatrists and psychologists, and rehabilitation and care professionals is necessary to avoid conflicts and to support older adults making a will to reflect their intentions in their will.

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