Aging & Society: Eighth Interdisciplinary Conference

Abstract

There is an increasing number of people suffering from dementia following global population aging. In Japan, the number of people with dementia over sixty-five years old was 4.62 million in 2012 and the number is estimated at seven million in 2025. Recently, a community-based integrated care system, which provides seamless healthcare to population, was implemented by the government. Considering care prevention, the system emphasizes prevention through community based activities. The government suggests the activities should be mainly managed by aged people in community themselves independently. In terms of this concept, recognition of each aged individual for their health care is important. We held a lecture about dementia prevention and conducted a survey of elderly living in specific area where people positively and independently manage various activities in community on their own. Twenty-nine elderly participated in the lecture and all participants answered the questionnaire. As a result of questionnaire, taking enough rest and sleep, taking a medical examination etc. were obtained as answer to what habits helped keep their health. The main reasons for participating in activities in community were pleasure and relationship with others. There are still many regions which have few community activities in Japan. According to these results, it is suggested that a system which enables people living in community to provide joyful activities and make good relationships is helpful to achieve effective prevention among healthy aged people.