Supporting social relationships of the elderly in unit-type special nursing homes toward a community-based society

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K02091
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 08030:Family and consumer sciences, and culture and living-related
• Research Institution: Nara University of Education
• Principal Investigator: TATEMATSU Maiko 奈良教育大学, 家庭科教育講座, 教授 (60389244)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 高齢者 / ケア / 地域居住 / 社会関係 / 社会参加 / まちづくり

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study was to support social relationships among the elderly.
①The nursing home's unit space was effective for providing care during the COVID-19 pandemic and at the end of life. However, there were issues with daily activities and social interactions of the elderly. ②We intervened in the family relationships of the elderly at a unit-type special nursing home. As a result, there were cases where the emotions of the elderly and their families stabilized, and cases where their rooms was improved. ③We conducted a survey of community care centers. It was found that people who required support had difficulty participating in society. We intervened to promote the social participation of the elderly. This intervention responded to their desire to make friends and participate in community activities.
From the above, we realized that supporting social relationships and creating opportunities for social participation in the elderly is necessary as part of community development.

Free Research Field

地域居住学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ユニット型特養においては、入所者の重度化、スタッフ不足等によって、入所者の社会関係を維持することが難しくなっている。本研究では、経年により生じた入所者の居住性の課題に対して、ケアによる解決策を示すべく取り組み、施設で社会関係を維持することに加えて、就労や学習の場で高齢期に多様な社会参加の機会に接触できることの重要性を示すことができた。我々が社会関係を維持すること、社会参加ができることは権利である。幸福追求権を社会保障の中核に捉えたときに、地域のなかでの「関係性を支えるケア」は高齢者ケアの範疇、「社会参加の機会創造」はまちづくりの範疇に入れることが望ましいと考えられた。