- 著者
-
松浦 尊麿
間瀬 教史
鈴木 順一
- 出版者
- 甲南女子大学
- 雑誌
- 甲南女子大学研究紀要 看護学・リハビリテーション学編 (ISSN:18825788)
- 巻号頁・発行日
- no.3, pp.51-58, 2009
目的:本研究は、高齢者が人口の半数を超え、農産物の生産や集落機能が低下しつつある小島の一集落において、高齢者の心身機能及び健康・生活状況を調査し、当該地域における高齢者のケア・ニーズを明らかにする目的で行った。方法:O地区に居住する65歳以上の高齢者371人のうち調査の承諾を得た157人を対象とした。健康・生活アンケート用紙はあらかじめ配布し、身体機能測定時に持参してもらった。身体機能測定は、筋肉量、脂肪量、基礎代謝量、脚点測定と開眼片足立ち(利き足立ち)時間、歩行機能、階段昇降時間、咀嚼能(ガム噛みテスト)を実施した。結果:当該地域に居住する高齢者の抑うつは、男性では「独居」、「子供が町外に居住している」、「友人を訪問することがない」、「相談できる友人がいない」、「近所の人との会話が少ない」などと関連性がみられたが、身体機能との関連は少なかった。女性の抑うつは、「交通機関で外出できない」、「趣味・習い事をしていない」、「相談できる友人がいない」、「心配事を聞いてくれる人がいない」、「1km歩くのが困難」及び、開眼片足立ち、通常歩行、最大歩行、TUG、障害物歩行、階段昇降など身体機能の低下との関連が認められた。 将来不安は、65歳~74歳の男性では、「高血圧治療中」、「交通機関を利用して外出ができない」、「お金の支払い・預金の出し入れ・書類書きができない」と、75歳以上の男性では、「子どもが町外に居住している」、「つらいことが多い」、「友人を訪問することがない」などと関連が認められた。65歳~74歳の女性では、「つらいことが多い」、「買い物ができない」、「必要時に食事を作ってくれる人がいない」などと、75歳以上の女性では、「交通機関を利用して外出ができない」、「友人を訪問ことがない」、「若い人と話をすることがない」、「眠れない」などと関連がみられた。結論:集落機能が低下した地域に居住する高齢者の抑うつ気分や将来不安を軽減するためには、手段的能力の減退による交流の減少・孤立化を防止する新たな生活支援制度・システムづくりや僻地医療の充実が必要である。Purpose : This study was conducted to examine the physical and psychological functions of the elderly and their living status, as well as identify their care needs. We selected a rural settlement on a small island, where elderly residents account for over 50% of the population, and its function as a community, including the yield of agricultural crops, is decreasing.Methods : We obtained consent for the survey from 157 of 371 residents living in District O, aged 65 years or older. On the day of physical function tests, we collected health and lifestyle questionnaire sheets (distributed to the subjects in advance). The items of the physical function tests included : muscle mass, amount of fat, basal metabolism, ratio of leg/body muscle mass, time in which one is able to stand on one foot with eyes open, walking ability, time required to walk up/down stairs, and chewing ability (test using chewing gum).Results : Although depression in elderly males was related to the following factors : "I live alone", "My children moved out of this village", "I do not see any friends", "I have no friends to consult", and "I do not often talk with my neighbors", there was no marked relationship between their physical function and depression. On the other hand, depression in elderly females was associated with the following factors : "I am unable to go out using public transportation", "I do not have any hobbies or attend cultural classes", "I have no friends to consult", "There is no one to listen to my worries", and "I have difficulty walking one kilometer", and reduced physical functions in the following tests : standing on one foot with eyes open, walking at a normal speed, TUG (timed up and go test), walking alone an obstacle course, and walking up/down stairs. Anxiety over the future in elderly males aged between 65 and 74 years was associated with : "I am undergoing treatment for hypertension", "I am unable to go out using public transportation", and "I am unable to pay money, make a deposit or take money out of a bank, or create documents", while anxiety in those aged 75 years or older was related to : "My children moved out of this village", "I often feel distressed", and "I do not see any friends". Anxiety over the future in elderly females aged between 65 and 74 years was associated with : "I often feel distressed", "I cannot go shopping", and "There is one to cook for me when it is necessary", whereas anxiety in those aged 75 years or older was related to : "I am unable to go out using public transportation", "I do not see any my friends", "I do not talk with young people", and "I have difficulty sleeping".Conclusion : Elderly people living in rural areas, especially those that no longer function as a community, are often left with few opportunities to develop relationships with others and become isolated due to a decrease in their IADL (instrumental activities of dairy living), which eventually leads to depression and anxiety over the future. Therefore, the establishment of a new daily support system and improvement of health care services in such remote areas are essential.