In this study, change in depressive symptoms and its associations with physical health in old age were examined. Coordinated analysis was conducted using data from Studies 1 and 2, which included four measurement occasions in nine years, starting from 1987, and three in four years from 2007, respectively. Variables which were conceptually equivalent across studies were selected and similar statistical models were applied. To examine how depressive symptoms change and whether they are associated with between-person differences and within-person variability in physical health (impairment in activities of daily living (ADLs) and number of diseases), multilevel models were estimated separately for each study. Age, gender, education, and marital status were included as covariates. Results of the two longitudinal studies revealed that depressive symptoms typically increased over time. Across all subjects, participants who reported higher impairment in ADLs and number of diseases exhibited more depressive symptoms. Among persons aged approximately 70 years and older, when participants reported higher impairment in ADLs than usual, they exhibited more depressive symptoms. These results suggest that depressive symptoms increase in old age and covary with impairment in ADLs across time in a single individual.

  【Objectives】The purpose of this study is to propose the necessary conditions for the architectural space of group home focusing on the oversight of care staff while in motion and not in motion.

  【Methodological Approach】Two group homes which have different layouts of common spaces were selected for this research, one with a common area and one that is separated by corridors. Qualitative surveys were carried out by one observer in both group homes regarding the following points : ①movements per one minute and activity of two or three care staffs in one unit, ②movements per ten minutes of seven or nine residents in one unit, ③Interviews with two or three care staffs in one unit.

  【Conclusions】The point of architectural space for the oversight while not in motion is to raise the visibility of the kitchen, dining area, and the base for activities. On the other hand, the point of architectural space for the oversight while in motion is to raise the visibility of the flow line of staff among the four areas: dining, kitchen, laundry area and the base for activities.

  This study explores the relationship between interprofessional work (IPW) and job satisfaction. I also analyze how the forms of care service delivery (home care or nursing home) moderate the relationship between intra- or inter-organizational IPW and job satisfaction among elderly care workers in Japan, using conservation of resources theory (COR) and Reeves’ typologies of IPW. Results from the State of Care Work Survey (Kaigo Rodo Jittai Chosa) of 18,035 elderly care workers in Japan indicated that IPW had a positive influence on job satisfaction. It was also found that intra-organizational IPW as well as inter-organizational IPW among home care workers were higher than those among nursing home workers. However, the forms of care service delivery had no significant moderating effects on the relationship between intra- or inter-organizational IPW and job satisfaction.

  The present study aimed to identify actual conditions of dietary behavior according to gender and living arrangement among community-dwelling older adults in Japan.

  We used a random sample of community-dwelling older people, including 379 men and 450 women aged 60 to 84 years. We assessed living arrangements (alone, with spouse, and with family); and dietary habits such as meal preparation (cooking, grocery purchases, and food expense management), the number of times of eating with someone per day, dietary variety, and dietary satisfaction.

  Men typically prepared their own meals only when living alone. Women mainly prepared their own meals regardless of living arrangement. The proportions of eating alone were 79.5% for men living alone, 2.1% when living with spouse, and 6.2% when living with family. For women, the proportions were 80.3% if living alone, 4.7% if living with spouse, and 11.0% if living with family. Diet variety and satisfaction for men living alone were significantly lower than those for living with spouse and family. Differences in diet variety and dietary satisfaction for women were not significant according to living arrangements.

  Our findings suggest that support (including improvement program for dietary habits and making opportunity for an environment for “eating together”) is needed for men living alone.

  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.