Natural disaster is a global phenomenon that has caused serious damage in recent years. Storm and flood cause especially big damage because of the influence of climate change in the rural area. The purpose of this research is to analyze aged people’s awareness of disaster prevention and disaster risk factors through a questionnaire survey. In November, 2007, we analyzed the questionnaire survey of 43 aged people (65 years or older) who live in a small local city in Saga Prefecture (46,000 people and rate of aging 20.9 %). Aged people traditionally worry about weather information and disaster information from city offices, and the concern for wind damage, earthquake, and flood damage is high. From our research, the aged people’s natural disaster prevention awareness was caused by their experience of disaster in the past. The anxiety of aged people about natural disaster was clarified by this survey. Further, investigation of land slide risks zone by geographic information system showed differences in the distribution of aged population and dangerous areas.

  A study on intervention for caregivers who provide care to a family member in their own home was conducted. Primary family caregivers of disabled adults were randomly assigned to control or intervention groups. We allocated them according to the severity of care recipients. The educational intervention included comprehensive information on care, which was provided according to the needs of each caregiver for a three-month period. The caregivers completed self-report measures of burden, self-efficacy of the care, and their own well-being. Twenty-one caregivers (10 caregivers in the control group, 11 caregivers in the intervention group) completed the intervention and/or measurements. The subjective well-being of the caregivers declined in the control group, but did not decline in the intervention group, showing a significant group-by-time interaction. These findings suggest the potential benefits of the educational program for subjective well-being.

  The aim of the present study was to elucidate factors related to the compulsion of family caregivers to commit physical or emotional abuse toward persons requiring care in order to investigate methods for preventing elder abuse. A questionnaire survey was conducted in August 2007 on family caregivers of users of visiting nurse stations in Prefecture A, and a total of 300 responses were analyzed. A total of 34.0% of family caregivers reported feeling compelled to commit physical or emotional abuse. Likelihood ratio test using multiple logistic regression analysis based on the backward selection method showed that the following factors were related to compulsion: high Zarit caregiver burden interview scores (odds ratio, 1.051; 95% confidence interval, 1.034-1.068), and a history of stroke (odds ratio, 2.054; 95% confidence interval, 1.192-3.539). Reduction of overall caregiver burden and investigation of care methods for persons with a history of stroke are necessary to alleviate the compulsion among family caregivers to commit physical or emotional abuse.

  This study is aimed at exploring ways of promoting work for those aged 70 or older. The data was collected from 2,987 participants in a work program for the elderly organized by A City Silver Human Resource Center located in metropolitan areas in Japan. The annual earnings for members from the program and types of work were analyzed by gender and age group. The earnings of men aged 75 or older were significantly lower than the younger age groups, while there was no difference in work earnings among women’s age groups. Regarding the types of work performed, age differences were observed in both genders. Relatively demanding jobs accounted for the largest share among men aged 74 or younger, while relatively easier outdoor jobs accounted for the largest share among men aged 75 or older. Indoor jobs accounted for the largest share among women of all ages, while the share of outdoor jobs tended to increase for the older age groups. These findings suggest, first, that here may be a different perception on the meaning of work between older men and women in Japan and second, relatively easy jobs achievable with collective operation are needed for the older generations.