The reconstruction process of social participation activities for preventive care of the elderly during the pandemic

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K17223
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 58010:Medical management and medical sociology-related
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: Ozone Sachiko 筑波大学, 医学医療系, 講師 (80645549)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: フレイル / 高齢者 / 社会参加活動 / 新型コロナウイルス感染症

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In April 2022 and May 2023, we conducted a longitudinal survey targeting 5,000 elderly residents in Kitaibaraki City, Ibaraki Prefecture, to assess the continuation of social participation activities and the status of frailty using a basic checklist. We ultimately received responses from 1,289 individuals. The findings suggest that those who were able to continue or resume social participation activities might have a lower risk of frailty. It was also revealed that although community activities are gradually resuming as the pandemic subsides, there are still individuals who are unable to rejoin these activities. This process was shared with the city officials. Interim results were presented at academic conferences and published in papers. The survey results up to 2023 are planned to be presented at academic conferences and submitted to journals in the following fiscal year.

Free Research Field

総合診療

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は新型コロナウイルス感染症流行により社会参加活動が制限され、次第に制限が緩和されていく渦中において実施した。この過程において地方都市の地域在住高齢者の社会参加活動への参加継続、中断、あるいは再開と、基本チェックリストを用いたフレイルのリスク評価との関係性を評価し、活動を中断した者がフレイルのリスクが高い可能性があること、および活動を中断した者の特徴を示すことができた。中断した者に対しては活動再開を促すだけでなく、より対象者に合致したフレイル予防の取り組みを検討する必要があるとを示唆する結果である点において、学術的、及び社会的意義があると考える。