LEARNING NEEDS AND ACTIVITY LIMITATIONS OF ELDERLY JAPANESE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

Abstract

The study reported in this article examined the relationship between learning needs and activity limitations of the elderly with physical disabilities in Japan. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 364 elderly over age 60 with physical disabilities. According to the survey results, 87.3% of the respondents have learning needs. Areas of medical concern were highly mentioned, but areas of communication with other elderly, gardening, and pottery also were mentioned. Analysis of the structure of learning needs by Hayashi's quantification method III disclosed that the most dominant axis was that of "Instrumental and Social Learning" versus "Expressive and Communicative Learning." Analysis of the relationship between learning needs and activity limitations revealed that the elderly who have serious activity limitations have an orientation toward "Instrumental and Social--External" learning, and the elderly who have moderate activity limitations have an orientation toward "Expressive and Communicative--Internal." According to Londoner (1985), "the elderly tend to have instrumental needs for survival," (p. 94). This seems to be particularly true among the elderly with serious activity limitations.