Identifying modifiable factors that prevent social isolation among older adults living alone

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K13719
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 08010:Sociology-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and Institute of Gerontology
• Principal Investigator: Ejiri Manami 地方独立行政法人東京都健康長寿医療センター(東京都健康長寿医療センター研究所), 東京都健康長寿医療センター研究所, 研究員 (90738890)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 社会的孤立 / 地域在住高齢者 / 独居高齢者

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we conducted a systematic review and a survey of community-dwelling older adults with the aim of identifying modifiable factors that can help prevent social isolation among older adults living alone. The results showed that walking speed, mental health, and social cohesion were associated with social isolation regardless of whether the older adults lived alone or not, and exercise habits were also associated with social isolation only among the older adults who lived alone. The results suggested that encouraging the older adults living alone to develop an exercise habit may be an effective measure to prevent social isolation specifically among the older adults living alone.

Free Research Field

介護予防

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

我が国は核家族化と高齢化を背景として独居高齢者が年々増加しており、2020年には高齢世帯において独居世帯の占める割合が最も多くなると推計されている。独居高齢者は、死亡や要介護、認知症のリスクを高める社会的孤立のリスクが高いとされてきたが、これまで独居高齢者に特異的な社会的孤立の予測因子に関する研究は行われてこなかった。本研究により、独居高齢者における修正可能な社会的孤立の予測因子が明らかとなり、我が国の社会的孤立予防策の検討が進むと期待される。