Research on Social Activities of Frail Elderly from the Perspective of Frail Elderly and Resident Volunteers

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K24318
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0909:Sports sciences, physical education, health sciences, and related fields
• Research Institution: Josai International University
• Principal Investigator: Anzai Saori 城西国際大学, 福祉総合学部, 助教 (60649151)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-08-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 社会活動 / 社会参加 / フレイル / 虚弱高齢者 / 介護予防 / ボランティア

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In a mail survey of frail elderly, social network with friends and physical function were identified as factors related to social activities among the frail elderly. The frail elderly have few opportunities for social network, and it is difficult for them to maintain and improve their networks. Therefore, it was suggested that invitations to social activities should not only be given by friends, but also by third parties such as government agencies.
In addition, from interview survey of resident volunteers, it is revealed that cooperation with government agencies is necessary to invite social activities of the frail elderly. Cooperation and support from government agencies for resident-led activities could promote the participation of the frail elderly in resident-led social activities.

Free Research Field

老年学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究によって，虚弱高齢者の社会活動への参加を促進するためには，虚弱高齢者の友人ネットワークを構築する取り組みが必要であるとともに，行政機関等が住民の主体的な社会活動と連携することが必要であることが明らかとなった。住民と行政機関が連携する場として，協議体や地域ケア推進会議があり，その場を活用することで，虚弱高齢者の社会活動への参加を促進できる可能性が示唆された。その重要性を示したことが本研究の社会的意義である。