A study was conducted on older adults to investigate the link between feeling economically insecure and their involvement in social activities. In Japan, even though older adults have the highest life expectancy globally, those who face financial struggles may avoid seeking medical assistance or utilizing long-term care insurance. These decisions could lead to an increase in frailty and its impact on people’s lives.
The findings indicated that an individual’s feeling of economic insecurity was not linked to physical conditions, self-reported symptoms of dementia, or social circumstances. However, it did increase with heightened loneliness and decrease with a stronger sense of well-being.
The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE on March 28.
Data reveals that elderly individuals make up 37.7 percent of Japan’s suicide mortality rate. In 2022, the most common reasons for suicide were “health problems,” followed by “family problems” and “economic and lifestyle problems.” The risk factors associated with frailty– aThe Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is urging older adults, especially those with low incomes, to engage in social activities in order to prevent them from becoming frail due to age-related decline in bodily functions. According to co-authors Yuriko Inoue and Hisae Nakatani from Hiroshima University’s Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, it is important to assess the economic insecurity of participants in low-cost social activities and find ways to provide support for effective prevention of frailty and suicide.In a collaborative effort, Inoue, a Ph.D. student at the graduate school’s Division of Integrated Health Sciences, and Nakatani, a professor emeritus at the university, conducted a cross-sectional survey to investigate the factors contributing to a feeling of economic insecurity among older adults who engage in social activities. The survey participants were individuals aged 65 and above who voluntarily took part in affordable community-based social activities like exercise and hobbies. A total of 1,351 adults in Hiroshima City, Japan, received the self-administered survey form.From July to December 2022, adults at community general support centers were given surveys to assess their level of economic insecurity. The surveys included questions about economic anxieties, physical condition, subjective symptoms of dementia, and social conditions such as outings, social activities, and working status. Participants responded on a four-point scale ranging from “not worried” to “worried” for the question about economic anxieties.The survey included questions about psychological conditions, particularly loneliness and subjective well-being. The results indicated that 43.6 percent of older adults who engaged in social activities experienced economic insecurity. Interestingly, this sense of economic insecurity was not linked to physical conditions, dementia symptoms, or social factors like social isolation or frequency of outings. The team did find that older adults who participated in social activities had a lower sense of economic insecurity.Aged 85 and above, and increased among individuals who experienced psychological loneliness and had a decreased feeling of well-being.
“Considering that almost half of the elderly individuals engaged in social activities experienced financial insecurity, receiving assistance to address this issue through social activities could help enhance their mental health,” stated Inoue.
This research assessed the subjective financial insecurity of elderly individuals. However, it was not possible to examine the connection between actual income and expenses.
“Due to the cross-sectional nature of the study design, additional research using longitudinal and intervention methods is needed.Inoue stated that there is a need for studies to confirm the association based on objective indicators. The team also recommends analyzing background factors related to loneliness and subjective well-being, such as the number of interactions and the level of intimacy in social support. The results of the team’s study may influence health care providers to consider tailored support for older adults’ age and psychological and economic insecurities when promoting community-based social participation. It was found that almost half of the older adults participating in social activities felt eco.Economic instability can have a negative impact on people’s lives, but receiving support through social activities can help improve their quality of life and mental health.
The research team, including Inoue, Nakatani, and Xuxin Peng from HU’s Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences and Ichie Ono from the Yasuda Women’s University’s Department of Nursing, is working on this issue.
This research is being funded by the France Bed Medical Home Care Research Subsidy Public Incorporated Foundation and the Hiroshima University Research Fellowship.
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