Older Adults In Japan Research Articles

How do apathetic and depressive symptoms relate to functional capacity? A cross-sectional survey among community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults in Japan.

Apathetic and depressive symptoms are frequently observed among older adults, and are risk factors for functional decline and dementia progression. However, how these symptoms influence functional capacity remains unclear. This study investigated the relationship between apathetic and depressive symptoms and functional capacity, considering the interaction between apathetic and depressive symptoms. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey targeting community dwelling middle-aged or older adults was conducted. We sent a questionnaire to 984 individuals and received 320 responses. Data with missing values and participants aged under 50 were excluded, resulting in 212 participants (88 men and 124 women, mean age = 73.4 ± 9.3 years). Apathetic symptoms were evaluated using the Dimensional Apathy Scale (J-DAS), which comprises executive, emotional, and cognitive and behavioral initiation aspects of apathy. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Functional capacity was assessed using the Japan Science and Technology Agency Index of Competence, which comprises technology usage, information practice, life management, and social engagement. Mean score of each J-DAS factor and GDS was 5.3 ± 3.4 (executive), 12.0 ± 3.0 (emotional), 11.8 ± 5.1 (initiation), and 4.5 ± 3.3, respectively. The emotional and initiation aspects of J-DAS were significantly associated with information practice (β = -0.15, p < .05 for emotional; β = -0.27, p < .001 for initiation) and life management (β = -0.20, p < .01 for emotional; β = -0.22, p < .01 for initiation) in functional capacity. GDS was associated only with social engagement (β = -0.31, p < .001). Although the interaction between the initiation factor of J-DAS and GDS was significantly associated with life management (β = -0.16, p < .05), the R2 change was insignificant. The emotional factor of J-DAS was associated with technology usage (β = -0.13, p < .05), although less strongly than age. The executive factor of J-DAS had insignificant associations with all aspects of functional capacity. Apathetic and depressive symptoms are independently, rather than interactively, associated with different aspects of functional capacity. As older adults with apathetic or depressive symptoms might struggle to seek help from public health services, they should be targeted with active interventions from healthcare professionals.

Volunteering and Its Association with Depression, Loneliness, and Lifestyle of Older Adults: Insights from a Japanese Cross-Sectional Study.

Background/Objectives: Volunteering has been widely recognized as beneficial to the well-being of older adults, providing health benefits, increased social engagement, and a sense of purpose. This study aimed to explore the associations between volunteering and physical and mental health measures among older adults in Japan. Methods: Using an online survey conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, 500 participants aged 65 and older were divided into volunteer and non-volunteer groups. Demographic, lifestyle, and health characteristics were comprehensively assessed using a series of reliable and validated instruments. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the associations between volunteering and health outcomes. Results: The findings revealed that while there were no significant differences in physical health indicators and undertreatment of most diseases (with the exception of cataracts), volunteers reported significantly lower levels of depression and loneliness compared to non-volunteers. The volunteer group also showed greater engagement in social activities and hobbies, which may have contributed to their improved mental health outcomes. Conclusions: The results of this study add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that volunteering may be an effective, low-cost intervention for promoting mental health and social engagement among older adults.

Correlation between fall experience and life functions among community-dwelling older adults in Japan

PurposeThis study investigated the correlation between the risk of falls and life functions, including motor function, cognitive function, and urinary disorders, among older adults residing in small cities in the metropolitan areas of Japan and evaluated the contents of fall prevention instructions. MethodsSixty-nine older adults residing at home participated in this case-control study conducted between September and October 2019. The survey items included questions pertaining to the history of falls; grip strength; the 30-s Chair Stand Test (CS-30), Functional Reach Test (FRT), and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) scores; mental and cognitive functions [Test Your Memory-Japanese version test (TYM-J)]; living conditions; and urination status [Core Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Score (CLSS)]. ResultsParticipants with a history of falls had significantly lower CS-30 and FRT scores, and significantly higher TUG scores and CLSS than those with no history of falls. Grip strength bore significant correlations with the CS-30 and TUG scores. The CS-30 scores were correlated with the FRT and TUG scores. The FRT scores were correlated with the TUG and French State Activity Index (FAI) scores. The TUG scores were correlated with the TYM-J and FAI scores. The CLSS showed no significant correlations with the remaining items. The FRT scores and CLSS exerted a significant effect on the risk of experiencing falls. ConclusionBoth balancing ability and micturition status affect fall risk and should be considered in treatment strategies for urinary disorders in fall prevention programs for older adults.

Neighborhood environment and falls: a longitudinal Japan gerontological evaluation study

Abstract Background Older adults who experience falls are at a high risk of injury and death and require long-term care. Notably, the risk of falls varies among different neighborhood environments. No prior longitudinal studies have examined the association between falls and neighborhood environment at the community level. Identifying such associations will help prevent people falling by improving their neighborhood environment. Herein, we aimed to identify neighborhood environmental factors associated with falls among older adults in Japan. Methods We analyzed the data of 27,346 older adults living in 416 communities who participated in the 2010, 2013, and 2016 Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study surveys. The dependent variable was the occurrence of falls in 2016, and the explanatory variables were the mean scores of each of eight community-level neighborhood environment variables, categorized into tertiles (high, middle, and low groups) in 2013. Our model was adjusted for covariates (e.g., sex, age, and socioeconomic status) using the variables from 2010. A multilevel Poisson regression analysis was performed to obtain the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) between the neighborhood environment and falls. Missing variable values were supplemented by multiple imputations. Results Older adults living in neighborhood environments with more parks or foot paths suitable for exercise or walking had a lower risk of falling after 3 years compared to those living in neighborhood environments with fewer parks or foot paths (RR: 0.89; CI: 0.80-0.99). For the variable ‘locations difficult for walking, such as hills or steps’, older adults in the middle group had a lower risk of falling than those in the low group (RR: 0.94; CI: 0.88-0.99). Conclusions Parks or foot paths are important environmental improvements that may prevent falls. Having hills or steps in the neighborhood could be beneficial when properly integrated into the environment. Key messages • Older adults with access to parks, footpaths, and challenging terrains suitable for exercise and walking, had a lower risk of falling. • These findings could be applied in urban designs to prevent falls among older adults.

Relationship between changes in lifestyle and sleep duration due to the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in older adults: A cross-sectional study

Objectives In response to the spread of COVID-19, a state of emergency was declared on April 7, 2020. People were asked to stay at home unless necessary, and studies conducted in Japan and other countries have investigated the impact of these restrictions on the lives and health of older adults. While some studies have focused on sleep, a crucial aspect of the health of older adults, little is known about the relationship between sleep and various lifestyle changes experienced by older adults in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Herein, we aimed to investigate the factors associated with changes in sleep duration among older adults before and after the spread of COVID-19.Methods A random sample of 1,808 men and women aged 65-84 years who lived in Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan was selected. A self-administered anonymous survey was mailed to the participants. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with decreased sleep duration compared to the COVID-19 pre-pandemic. Factors such as basic attributes, lifestyle changes compared with that during pre-pandemic period, stress levels, and involvement with the community were considered in the analysis.Results Of the 1,808 distributed surveys, 1,305 were returned (response rate: 72.2%). After excluding participants with missing data (n＝108), 1,197 responses were included in the final analysis (valid response rate: 66.2%). Among these, 155 participants (12.9%) reported decreased sleep duration. Decreased "social activities/connectedness" (odds ratio [OR]: 2.55, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.54-4.22), reduced "average duration of exercise on exercise days" (OR: 2.69, 95% CI: 1.38-5.24), and self-reported "stress in the past month" (OR: 2.41, 95% CI: 1.43-4.06) were significantly associated with decreased sleep duration.Conclusion The spread of COVID-19 was associated with decreased sleep duration among older adults. This decrease was linked to reduced social activity and participation, decreased exercise, and increased stress. To mitigate these effects, maintaining social participation and activities, scheduling regular and manageable exercise routines, and implementing effective stress management strategies while adhering to infection control practices are important.

Effect of oral health on functional disability and mortality in older adults in Japan: a cohort study.

Oral health has previously shown associations with functional disability and mortality. We aimed to explore the associations of various aspects of oral health status with functional disability and mortality using survival analysis, as well as the relative magnitudes of the impact of these aspects on outcomes. We obtained data for individuals aged 75years and older in Shimane, Japan, who had at least one oral health check-up between April 1, 2016, and March 31, 2022under Japan's long-life medical care system insurance system. Those with missing data or with functional disability at baseline were excluded. 13aspects of oral health status were assessed by dentists or dental hygienists as part of the check-up (using protocols provided by the JapanDental Association and the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare): number of remaining teeth, subjective masticatory performance, objective masticatory performance, periodontal tissue status, functional dysphagia, tongue mobility, articulation, oral hygiene, number of decayed teeth, inadaptation of dentures of the upper jaw and lower jaw (considered separately), oral mucosal disease, and dry mouth. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyse the associations between each aspect of oral health and functional disability and mortality, with fully adjusted models adjusting for sex, age, BMI, medical history, or a propensity score derived from these covariates. Population-attributable fractions (PAFs) were calculated to assess the differential impacts of these oral health status aspects on outcome occurrence. Of the 24 619individuals who had an oral health check-up during the study period, 21 881individuals wereincluded in the analysis of functional disability (9175 [41·93%] men, 12 706 [58·07%] women, mean age 78·31years [SD 2·88], mean follow-up 41·43months [20·80]), and 22 747individuals in the analysis of mortality (9722 [42·74%] men, 13 025 [57·26%] women, mean age 78·34years [2·89], mean follow-up 42·63months [20·58]). All 13aspects of oral health status showed significant associations with the occurrence of mortality, while functional disabilitywas associated with 11aspects (excluding oral mucosal disease and dry mouth) in the fully adjusted model. Based on PAFs, of all oral health aspects assessed, objective masticatory performance hadthegreatestimpact on both functional disability (PAF 23·10% [95% CI 20·42-25·69] for the lowest and 10·62% [8·18-12·99] for the second-lowest quartile of performance) and mortality (16·47% [13·44-19·40] and 8·90% [5·87-11·82]). Various aspects of oral health are associated with mortality and functional disability. Maintaining good oral health in older adults might help to reduce these outcomes. None.

Development of the Japanese version of the Mobile Device Proficiency Questionnaire: A cross-sectional validation study.

In response to the growing popularity of mobile devices among older adults in Japan, this study aimed to establish a reliable and valid measure of mobile device proficiency by developing a Japanese version of the Mobile Device Proficiency Questionnaire (MDPQ-J) for the Japanese population. To evaluate the reliability and validity of the MDPQ-J, we administered the questionnaire to 100 young or middle-aged participants (37.78 ± 13.90 years, 57.00% women), and 62 older participants (75.90 ± 6.01 years; 59.68% women). The MDPQ-J showed a high degree of internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.98). Moreover, MDPQ-J scores in older participants tended to be lower than those in young or middle-aged participants. In terms of validity, the MDPQ-J score of older participants was significantly associated with age (ρ = -0.31), the amount of time using a mobile device per day (ρ = 0.64), and the system usability scale (ρ = 0.39). Additionally, the MDPQ-J scores were significantly positively associated with the importance (ρ = 0.37), performance (ρ = 0.57), and satisfaction (ρ = 0.29) associated with daily mobile device use in older participants. The high reliability and validity of the MDPQ-J in the Japanese population highlight its utility in adapting mobile devices for older adults, which is crucial in an increasingly digital society. Further research should explore the mediating role of mobile device proficiency in various health-related outcomes. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; ••: ••-••.

Characteristics of falls in Japanese community-dwelling older adults.

Understanding the characteristics of falls among older adults is necessary to prevent them. These characteristics include questions such as when (month and time), where (places), who (age), what (injury), why (trigger), and how (direction) the falls occur. The objective of this study was to identify the characteristics of falls in individuals aged 65-74 years (young-old), 75-84 years (old-old), and ≥85 years (oldest-old). We conducted an observational mail survey among community-dwelling older adults in Japan and collected detailed information on the incidence of falls over the past 3 years. The month, time, location, trigger, direction, and resulting trauma of each fall were analyzed and compared across the different age groups (young-old, old-old, and oldest-old). A total of 1695 falls among 1074 community-dwelling older adults were analyzed in this study. Falls were frequent during May and October as well as during the winter season from December to February, especially between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. These fall characteristics were consistent across all the age groups. There was a higher incidence of outdoor falls among relatively young older adults, which were typically caused by tripping or slipping. However, as one progresses with age, there is a higher incidence of falls indoors, typically due to loss of balance or leg entrapment. Approximately 60% of older fallers experience some form of injury due to falls, with fractures considered the most serious, occurring in ≈10% of all falls. We clarified the characteristics of falls including the "when, where, who, what, why, and how" of the fall. A future challenge is to use this valuable information to develop effective fall prevention programs for older populations worldwide. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; ••: ••-••.

A study of dentists' explanations and patient-dentist communication among older adults in Japan.

In recent years, the proportion of elderly people in the total patient population has been increasing owing to the rapid aging of Japanese society. However, little is known about the age-specific healthcare communication challenges within the field of dentistry. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between dentists' explanations and patient-dentist communication among elderly patients. The study included 146 dentist-elderly patient pairs from Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. A questionnaire was administered to pairs of dentists and patients. The survey was conducted between June 2021 and April 2022. We examined the relationships among the survey items: dentist demographics, patient demographics and sufficiency of the dentist explanations, and patient-dentist communication. The logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the patient's mode of visiting the dentist as the objective variable, sufficiency of the dentist explanations, patient-dentist communication, dentist, and patient factors as explanatory variables. About 30% of patients felt that explanations of "Comparison with other treatment methods," "Treatment period," and "Treatment prognosis" were not sufficient. Among these items, a significantly higher percentage of respondents found the dentist's explanations sufficient when they were treated by more than one dentist. Many good communication factors were significantly associated with the dentist being younger and having a preventive practice. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant association between sufficiency of the dentist explanations and patients' regular dental visits. Adequate explanations by dentists for elderly patients were significantly associated with the dentist factor. Improving the quantity and quality of the dentists' explanations of treatment may improve patient satisfaction and promote regular dental visits.

Association between Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome and Indicators of Reflecting Independent Living among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) is associated with various indicators of independent living among community-dwelling older adults in Japan. The study design was a cross-sectional study, and the participants were 107 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 79 ± 7 years) who were living independently. The participants were administered the Questionnaire for Medical Checkup of Old-Old (QMCOO) as an indicator of health status and the Japan Science and Technology Agency Index of Competence (JST-IC) as an indicator of higher levels of functioning capacity, among others. In addition, we assessed physical frailty (J-CHS), sarcopenia (AWGS2019), and MCR (slow gait + subjective memory complaints), which are predictors of adverse events in the elderly. Multiple regression analysis with QMCOO as the response variable showed that MCR (p = 0.01, β: 0.25) and physical frailty (p < 0.01, β: 0.43) were significantly associated. In addition, analysis with JST-IC as the response variable showed that MCR (p = 0.03, β: -0.20), physical frailty (p = 0.01, β: -0.24) and age (p = 0.02, β: -0.21) were significantly associated. In conclusion, MCR was found to be similarly associated with QMCOO and JST-IC as physical frailty. It is expected that the MCR will be used as an initial screening tool to identify signs of risk in community-dwelling older people, as it is easy to diagnose.

Determinants of polydoctoring among multimorbid older adults; a cross‐sectional study in an urban area of Japan

AbstractBackgroundMultimorbidity increases with age, leading to various adverse outcomes, including higher mortality, care dependency, hospitalizations, and healthcare costs. Polydoctoring, managing a patient with multimorbidity by multiple healthcare providers, can be a risk of fragmented care and increased healthcare expenditures. This study aims to identify patient‐related factors contributing to polydoctoring in older adults with multimorbidity.MethodsThis study is a cross‐sectional study using baseline data from the Kawasaki Aging and Wellbeing Project. Participants were residents of Kawasaki City aged 85–89 years, without disability in basic activities of daily living, and being able to visit study site. The regularly visited facilities (RVF) index was employed to quantify polydoctoring. Polydoctoring was defined as having two or more RVFs. Poisson regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between polydoctoring and patient demographics, including types of chronic conditions and socioeconomic factors.ResultsA total of, 968 participants with multimorbidity were analyzed. Increased RVF was significantly associated with eye diseases (rate ratio [RR] 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12–1.44), osteoporosis (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.08–1.38), prostate diseases (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.07–1.40), and osteoarthritis (RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.05–1.27). No significant correlation was found with educational status or financial hardship.ConclusionThe study indicated that certain chronic conditions are linked to increased polydoctoring among multimorbid older adults in Japan. However, most of those conditions are considered to be within a scope of family medicine/general practice. Training general practitioners to manage these conditions could reduce healthcare costs and the treatment burden, indicating a direction for future healthcare policy and medical education.

Turnover Intention among Staff Who Support Older Adults Living Alone in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Older adults in Japan traditionally rely on family members for care. However, the growing number of older people living alone has increased staff burden in community general support centers (CGSCs), which provide care for older people in Japan. This study aimed to identify factors linked to turnover intention among CGSC staff. Of 1002 staff invited to participate, 283 completed a survey (response rate: 28.2%). Logistic regression analysis of 183 valid questionnaires examined demographic, job-related, and attitudinal factors associated with turnover intention. The results showed that the perceived difficulty of supporting older adults living alone was the main predictor of turnover intention. Staff reporting high perceived difficulty levels were more likely to consider leaving. Negative attitudes toward supporting this population also increased turnover risk. These findings highlight a pressing need for targeted interventions to strengthen the ability of CGSC staff to manage the challenges of caring for isolated older individuals. Addressing staff perceptions and providing essential training and resources could reduce turnover rates and increase the quality of care for this vulnerable group.

Does arts and cultural group participation influence subsequent well-being? A longitudinal cross-country comparison of older adults in Japan and England

IntroductionArts engagement is a positive health behaviour that could support the mental and social well-being of ageing populations globally. However, research is predominantly from Western countries, leaving it unclear whether...

Burden of respiratory syncytial virus infections in older adults with acute respiratory infection in Japan: An epidemiological study among outpatients

BackgroundRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute respiratory illness, with severe outcomes in older adults. Information on the prevalence, hospitalization rate, and impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of RSV in older adults with acute respiratory infections (ARI) in outpatient settings in Japan is limited. MethodsThis multi-center epidemiological study included outpatients aged ≥60 years presenting with ARI between August 2021 and February 2023. Nasal and throat swabs were collected and tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The prevalence of RT-PCR-confirmed RSV (cRSV)-ARI, cRSV-lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD), and other respiratory viruses was calculated by season, region, age group, and RSV subtype. HRQoL was assessed via patient-reported outcomes. ResultsThe study included 923 ARI episodes (cRSV-ARI: N = 24; non-cRSV-ARI: N = 899). In years 1 and 2 (August 2021–July 2022 and August 2022–February 2023), the prevalence of cRSV-ARI was 2.5% and 2.8%, respectively. There was a predominance of RSV-B and RSV-A subtypes in years 1 and 2, respectively. In years 1 and 2 combined, 37.5% of cRSV-ARI cases had lower respiratory tract infection; all cRSV-LRTD cases occurred in those aged 60–74 years. RSV-ARI cases reported throat, chest, and respiratory symptoms, leading to impaired functioning and HRQoL. ConclusionsDuring the observed study period, RSV was circulating among older adults in Japan. RSV was a leading cause of ARI and LRTD. More data are needed to fully clarify the burden of RSV among older adults in Japan.

Validating the short-version European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire for community-dwelling older adults in Japan.

The European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47) is available in multiple languages, and shortened versions have also been developed. This study aimed to examine the reliability and validity of the short version of the questionnaire (HLS-Q12) developed for community-dwelling older adults in Japan. The HLS-Q12 was developed using 12 of the 47 items of the Japanese version of the HLS-EU-Q47. In this study, the survey was conducted by distributing self-administered questionnaires to community-dwelling individuals aged 65 years and older who consented to participate; their responses were collected by mail. The correlation between the HLS-Q12 and the HLS-EU-Q47 was tested to assess criterion validity. To test construct validity, nine novel hypotheses were proposed. We also conducted a confirmatory factor analysis of the HLS-Q12. Based on a resurvey after 5-7 days, test-retest reliability was examined using interclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman analysis. In total, 118 individuals provided valid responses to the questionnaire. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient between the HLS-Q12 and the HLS-EU-Q47 was r = 0.98 (p < 0.001), and eight of the nine hypotheses were supported. The ICC was 0.96 (p < 0.001), and the 95% limit of agreement was -0.26 ± 5.9, suggesting no systematic error. Thus, the Japanese version of the HLS-Q12 was found to be reliable with high criterion validity and reproducibility. Hence, the HLS-Q12 is a useful scale for measuring health literacy among older adults in Japan.

Association of Statin Use with Dementia Risk Among Older Adults in Japan: A Nested Case-Control Study Using the LIFE Study.

Previous studies have shown a possible association between statin use and a decreased risk of dementia, but the association has not been sufficiently established, especially in the super-aging society of Japan. This study aimed to determine the association between statin use and the risk of dementia among Japanese participants aged> =65 years old. Data from the Longevity Improvement and Fair Evidence (LIFE) Study were utilized, including medical and long-term care (LTC) claim data from 17 municipalities between April 2014 and December 2020. A nested case-control study was conducted with one case matched to five controls based on age, sex, municipality, and year of cohort entry. We used a conditional logistic regression model to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). This study included 57,302 cases and 283,525 controls, with 59.7% of the participants being woman. After adjusting for potential confounders, statin use was associated with a lower risk of dementia (OR, 0.70; 95% CI: 0.68-0.73) and Alzheimer's disease (OR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.63-0.69). Compared with non-users, the ORs of dementia were as follows: 1.42 (1.34-1.50) for 1-30 total standardized daily dose (TSDD), 0.91 (0.85-0.98) for 31-90 TSDD, 0.63 (0.58-0.69) for 91-180 TSDD, and 0.33 (0.31-0.36) for >180 TSDD in dose-analysis. Statin use is associated with a reduced risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease among older Japanese adults. A low cumulative statin dose is associated with an increased risk of dementia, whereas a high cumulative statin dose is a protective factor against dementia.

Association between the level of social participation and depressive symptoms among older Japanese adults: a cross-sectional survey.

Social participation is recommended for older adults to remain actively involved in daily life. Social participation is a broad concept, ranging from 'interacting with others without doing a specific activity with them' to 'actively contributing to society.' However, previous studies have not taken into account the components of social participation. Depressive symptoms are significant outcomes in older adults. Social participation mitigates these risks owing to its association with reduced mortality and enhanced quality of life. This study aimed to examine the association between the level of social participation and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults. We included 17 040 individuals aged ≥65 years. Social participation was categorised into Level 3, interacting with others without doing a specific activity with them; Level 4, engaging in an activity with others; Level 5, helping others; and Level 6, contributing to society, based on a previous study by Levasseur et al. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association between the level of social participation and depressive symptoms. Overall, 15 069 older adults met the inclusion criteria. A higher level of social participation was associated with lower odds ratios (ORs) for depressive symptoms (Level 6 = OR: 0.43, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.37-0.50; Level 5 = OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.41-0.60; and Level 4 = OR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.52-0.69). Subgroup analyses based on age and sex yielded similar results across all participants. Among older adults in Japan, a higher level of social participation was associated with lower rates of depressive symptoms. The relationship between depressive symptoms and the levels of social participation may help develop measures to reduce or prevent depressive symptoms in older adults.

Exploring factors influencing the hearing test and hearing aid adoption among Japanese older adults: Implications of recognizing the hearing loss–dementia relationship

ObjectiveThe hearing aid adoption rate among older adults in Japan is lower than that in other developed countries. Herein, a survey was conducted to identify this bottleneck and develop countermeasures. This study aimed to examine whether raising awareness of the relationship between hearing loss and dementia is significant for hearing tests and adopting hearing aids. MethodsA questionnaire was administered to participants aged 65 or older who visited a general hospital to determine the background factors (1) for a recent history of hearing tests, (2) for the desire to visit an otolaryngologist and have a hearing test, (3) for recognizing the hearing loss–dementia relationship, and (4) for adopting hearing aids. ResultsA total of 517 patients (mean age, 78.06; SD 6.97), representing 2.4% of the region's older-adult population, participated in the survey. A history of hearing tests within five years was significantly associated with recognizing the hearing loss–dementia relationship (adjusted OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.49–3.72). The desire to visit an otolaryngologist or have a hearing test was significantly associated with recognizing the hearing loss–dementia relationship (adjusted OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.02–2.85). Moreover, 39.3% were aware of the hearing loss–dementia relationship. The significant associated factors were being female (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.64–3.81) and having interpersonal hobbies (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.11–2.49). The significant background factors for adopting hearing aids were older age (OR 6.95, 95% CI 1.90–25.40), self-reported severe hearing impairment (OR 5.49, 95% CI 2.55–11.80), and living alone (OR 2.63, 95% CI 1.18–5.89). Recognizing the hearing loss–dementia relationship was not a significant factor. ConclusionRaising awareness of the hearing loss–dementia relationship was not associated with adopting hearing aids for self-reported hearing impairments. However, it may be associated with otolaryngology visits and hearing tests. Thus, steps like hearing screening for older adults are also essential.

Validity and Reliability of the Nursing Home Adjustment Scale for Older Adults in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Validity and Reliability of the Nursing Home Adjustment Scale for Older Adults in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Assessing Health Literacy among Older Adults in Japan A Cross-Sectional Study

Assessing Health Literacy among Older Adults in Japan A Cross-Sectional Study