著者

福山 正和/石田 易司 石田 易司

出版者

桃山学院大学

雑誌

桃山学院大学総合研究所紀要 (ISSN:1346048X)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.39, no.1, pp.79-90, 2013-08-30

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Senior residents of public housing in Japan-the fastest aging society in the world-experience different life challenges from those of private housing. What are the living conditions and characteristics of such seniors in public housing ? This study compares the lives of senior citizens in public housing built 40 years ago and those in private housing in a district of Osaka. We conducted surveys, sponsored by the municipal district, with seniors living there between October 2010 and June 2011. For this paper, we analyzed the data from marginal and semi-marginal villages there: the totals of 178 responses from seniors in public housing and of 413 responses in private housing. Compared with seniors in private housing, seniors living in public housing show significantly 1) poorer health conditions and 2) less frequent communication with their family. In addition, significantly fewer of them 3) participate in community activities such as festivals and senior clubs, 4) have daily recreational activities like hobbies and learning activity programs, and 5) feel satisfied with their everyday life. The results 3), 4), and 5) are due to the large number of senior males living alone in older public housing; these are shared characteristics of solitary senior males in the entire district. To conclude, the findings suggest that it is important to encourage seniors to engage in community networking and participate in social activities. A more active social life may help mitigate suffering caused by accidents, disease, and natural disasters.