ABSTRACT
<b>Introduction</b>: The present study was conducted to identify the influence of self-efficacy score and having an action plan on “stages of change” for exercise after one year.<br><b>Methods</b>: Physical functions and psychological factors at baseline and after one year in 105 elderly individuals who participated in a preventive care program. The subjects were classified into four groups by using the stages of change scale for physical activity.<br>The cause related to impact on physical activity and action stage change (stage) after one year later with having or not having action plan for preventive care program in elderly at home in community as well as sense of self efficacy was investigated.<br><b>Results</b>: Self-efficacy scored significantly higher in the usual activity group with continuity of stage activity both at baseline and one year later. The relative risk of having an action plan at baseline for exercise after one year was 2 . 90 (95% CI: 1.52-5.55). This value significantly influenced the maintenance of physical activity after one year.<br><b>Conclusion</b>: The results of this study suggest that showing an action plan was effective in maintenance of physical activity.
ABSTRACT
<b>Introduction</b> : In recent years, aging of the population and the low birth rate are progressing rapidly in China, resulting in an increase in the number of elderly individuals engaged in the long-term care of an elderly family member (Jap. “Ro-ro kaigo”). We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate the current Ro-ro kaigo situation and the factors related to the quality of life of the caregivers in two ethnic groups : Han Chinese and Korean Chinese.<br><b>Methods</b> : Fifty-one Korean Chinese households and sixty-one Han Chinese households (≥60 years old) in Changchun or Yanji of Jilin Province, China, participated. The quality of life of the caregivers was measured using the SF-8 health survey questionnaire. We conducted a multiple regression analysis to investigate the factors related to the caregivers' quality of life.<br><b>Results</b> : There was no significant difference in gender ratio and caregiver age between the two ethnic groups. In both groups, a spouse was often the cargiver. Factors related to the caregivers' quality of physical life were as follows. For the Korean Chinese : the caregivers' subjective feeling of health, and the number of the caregivers' diseases ; for the Han Chinese : the caregivers' subjective feeling of health, the care period, and the frequency of participation in community activities. Factors related to the caregivers' quality of the mental life were as follows. For the Korean Chinese : the frequency of consultation for nursing-care problems ; for the Han Chinese : the care-recipients' educational history, and having assistance on ceremonial occasions.<br><b>Conclusion</b> : The results suggest that good health is important to maintain the quality of physical life of elderly caregivers in both ethnic groups. As factors related to the physical and mental summary scores differed by ethnicity, support for the caregivers that considers their ethnic background is necessary.
ABSTRACT
Purpose<br> Long-term elderly care of the elderly (Jap. “Ro-ro Kaigo”) is a serious problem in Japan. The purpose of this study is to reveal the current state of Ro-ro Kaigo and to evaluate the factors affecting the burden on elderly caregivers. <br>Method<br> Ninety-three households of elderly subjects participated in this study. We conducted semi-structured interviews concerning the life styles of caregivers, the burden on caregivers and the condition of elderly subjects requiring long-term care. <br>Results<br> Eighty percent or more of the caregivers were spouses, and about 40 percent of the households were not supported by family members living separately. <br>Moreover, the burden of care borne by the caregivers was correlated with "hours spent daily providing care", "ADL of elderly requiring long-term care" (p<0.001), "hours of sleep" (p<0.01), "subjective feeling of wellbeing", "support from family living separately", and "behavioral disorders of dementia" (p<0.05). <br>Conclusion<br> These data suggest that supporting "health promotion", "reduction of hours of caregiving", "reduction of amount of assistance with toilet activity of care recipients", and "securing enough hours of sleep" were important for maintaining home care in Ro-ro kaigo.
ABSTRACT
Fall-related factors (FRFs) are classified into intrinsic factors and extrinsic factors. Intervention programs, which focused on modifiable factors (MFs) among FRFs have been designed to prevent falls. The purpose of this study was to identify easily-measurable intrinsic MFs for falls and recurrent falls. Cross-sectional analysis was carried out on the data from 483 community-dwelling older adults, aged 65-92 years (73.7 ± 5.9 yr, 138 men, 345 women). We measured history of falls in the past year and 7 domains of FRFs. Of these, 20 items were selected as MFs. Analyses of FRFs and MFs were conducted by comparing (separated by sex) those who did not report a fall with those who reported any number of falls, and those who reported no falls or one fall with those who reported recurrent falls. Using the significant items as independent variables, multiple logistic regression analysis with forward selection method was performed. The prevalence of falls and recurrent falls was: in men, 24.6% and 14.5%; in women, 26.7% and 12.5%. There were no significant differences in prevalence of falls or recurrent falls between genders. The following items were selected as the MFs most strongly associated with falls: climbing 10 steps with difficulty and tandem walk; and associated with recurrent falls: climbing 10 steps with difficulty, sit and reach, and tandem walk. These results are useful in determining the focus of fall prevention programs to be used in future community-based interventions.