Abstract
Background: Japan has the highest aging people accounting 33.8 million with the rate of 26.7% in 2015. Although, public long-term care insurance services support people age 40 years and above, most of the users are 85 years and over due to their more vulnerability for getting sick. This study describes the physical, mental and social status of the elderly people aged 85 years and over, who were living alone at home. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2016 and March 2017 in the island of Kure city, Hiroshima, Japan. A structured questionnaire and scales were used for data collection and documentation of physical measurements. Descriptive analysis was used. Result: A total of 190 subjects were participated, and the data were analyzed. The age range of the subjects was 85 to 98 years, and 68.4% of them were 85 to 89 years old. Male and female ratio was 21.6% vs 78.4%. Subjects of 17.4% continued their occupation at the time of the study period and most of them involved in agricultural work (93.9%). A certain percentage of the subjects had abnormal physical, mental and social difficulties and need additional support from family, friends, relatives, and community. Conclusion: Early detection and intervention such as disease management, nutritional support, and human support are required. The findings suggested policy makers to predict the burden and provide necessary care for these elderly people. It is necessary to aware family, friends, relatives, community and government supporting staff to provide information on correct recognition and usages of long-term care insurance services for these elder people.
Highlights
The population in Japan is declining due to the constrictive pattern of birth rate and turning into super-aged society since 2007
This study describes the physical, mental and social status of the elderly people aged 85 years and over, who were living alone at home
The findings suggested policy makers to predict the burden and provide necessary care for these elderly people
Summary
The population in Japan is declining due to the constrictive pattern of birth rate and turning into super-aged society since 2007. The “baby-boomer generation” will enter in late elderly aged 75 years and older in 2025 [3], which will be needed additional support through the comprehensive approach and service provision system (The Integrated Community Care System) provided by the national government. The usages of public long-term care insurance services for the elderly people aged 75 years and over are rapidly increasing. Public long-term care insurance services support people age 40 years and above, most of the users are 85 years and over due to their more vulnerability for getting sick. This study describes the physical, mental and social status of the elderly people aged 85 years and over, who were living alone at home. It is necessary to aware family, friends, relatives, community and government supporting staff to provide information on correct recognition and usages of long-term care insurance services for these elder people
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