Characteristics of Socially Isolated Elderly People in a Rural Area According to a New Classification System Based on Intentionality in Social Choices
- VernacularTitle:中山間地域における社会的孤立高齢者の人付き合いの選択の違いによる新たな類型化
- Author:
Mai TANAKA
1
;
Toshiki KATSURA
2
;
Shinji ISHIKAWA
2
;
Akiko HOSHINO
3
;
Miho SHIZAWA
3
;
Kanae USUI
3
Author Information
- From:Journal of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine 2020;68(6):773-
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
- Abstract: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationships among various characteristics such as personal attributes, health status, and social functioning in socially isolated elderly people according to a new classification based on intentionality in social choices, and to clarify the characteristics and issues of these individuals living in the community. We conducted a questionnaire survey of all healthy elderly people in Town A, which is located in a rural area. We classified respondents as non-socially isolated, intentionally socially isolated, or accidentally socially isolated. We then compared the three groups. Correspondence analysis was used to examine relationships among personal attributes and physical, mental, social functioning in the three groups. Valid responses were received from 1,284 respondents. Results showed that intentional social isolation was associated with living alone and poor physical functioning but not with medical history. Thus, intentional social isolation requires interventions for improving lifestyle, physical activity, nutrition, and oral care to prevent frailty among elderly people living in the community. Accidental social isolation was associated with depression and cognitive decline, and therefore requires mental health intervention. In addition, the accidentally socially isolated elderly tended to have low socioeconomic status, so it is necessary to create a mechanism for the early identification of high-risk individuals during monitoring and intervention provided by health and welfare professionals in various fields.
