Japanese Community-Based Senior Groups and the Role of the University

Many developed countries have aging populations. A key issue is providing healthcare for these populations. However Japanese healthcare services for the elderly focus on medical aspects rather than long term well-being.

Moreover, preventive care and health maintenance approaches are now considered to be more essential. In Japan, we are turning into a super-aging society. By the year 2020, it is said that one out of three people will be over the age of 65. On the other end of this extreme, the falling birthrate is another problem we must face. You can see that the nation will not have enough taxpayers to support the elderly. Thus, it is clear that the current government mission is to provide a sustainable social system supporting elderly people’s way of living while acknowledging that there will be limited access to financial support and human resource. In addition, the recent policy on healthcare in Japan encourages seniors to live in their community. Many elderly are discharged from medical care facilities and nursing care, and are living in their own houses, resulting in them being isolated and withdrawn from society.

In order for the elderly not to be isolated in their houses and maintain their health, it is important to create a place where they can participate in community activities. Since 2013, the university where I am affiliated has created a place where senior citizens and non-senior local people are able to participate in organized group activities. Now multiple generations are interacting in this place. In my research, I will investigate how these interactions impact the health condition of elderly. Also I will also investigate the role of the university in creating a place and supporting these community activities.