The aim of the study was to investigate the association between health practices and functional capacity among the community-dwelling elderly. We conducted a survey among elderly people aged 65 to 84 years at K-ward, in Tokyo in 2011, using mailed self-administered questionnaires. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used with functional capacity as dependent variable, heath practices, physical factors, psychological factors, and social factors as independent variables. All analysis were conducted on gender.

Subjects of this study were 2,000 community-dwelling elderly people. The responded persons were 1,199 (60.0%). The valid response persons were 1,014. Among participants 459 were males and 555 were females. Among males, low motor fitness scale and not having physical activity showed signifiant association with lower functional capacity. For females, not having physical activity, being 75 years or older, low motor fitness scale, and limited social support by family were significantly associated with lower functional capacity.

These findings suggest that physical activity is associated with functional capacity in both males and females in the community-dwelling elderly.

Objective: To keep and build social relationships is important for elderly people. The number of pet dogs is still increasing in Japan. We collected data from fieldwork, to find the key elements that promote growth in elderly social relationships through dog walking. Method: Between July 2008 and June 2009, surveys were conducted in a suburb of Tokyo (2 weeks during each season). We observed elderly dog owners who visited the survey points, and documented their conversations. We analyzed the conversations, using SPSS text analysis for survey Ver.3.0. Results: We recorded 45 observations and collected 10869 words. We observed; 30 males and 27 females. We found 22 repeated words, used over 30 times each. We found 4 main categories from the sentences and syntax. We analyzed: 1) meet and greet; participants were talking to dogs or just greeting each other, 2) further contact; reinforcement of dogs and owner’s information, 3) information exchange; participants spoke of general news or community gossip, 4) deeper personal conversation; participants had more intimate conversations and invitations. Conclusion: "Dog Walking" was found to stimulate elderly people, create social networks and provide a platform for these varied relationships to flourish, while building social capital within the community.