Geriatric Syndrome: Cause of Long-Term Care

SUZUKI Takao

doi:10.1589/rika.18.183

In 2000, the Long-term Care Insurance System was started in Japan. It provides various care services to persons who are bedridden or senile and require constant care in daily life, or who need assistance in daily life. However, needless to say, an independent and healthy life with no need for care is the ideal for all, particularly for aged people. Thus, the prevention of dependence on long-term care has become the most important and urgent issue in Japan as well as other countries facing an aging population. Among elderly persons, a variety of aging-specific physical and mental ailments easily lead to dependence on long-term care. These include falls, incontinence, malnutrition, decline of functional capacity, cognitive impairment (dementia), poor oral hygiene, and foot troubles. They are collectively called the "geriatric syndrome". Rather than diseases, the "geriatric syndrome" is a state of impaired health accompanied by restriction of ADL and impairment of QOL. Due to the multifactorial nature of the geriatric syndrome, research for its prevention requires multi-faceted approaches, from not only physical but also psychological and social viewpoints. In this context, we put into practice a new mass health examination system targeting the elderly in Japan, aimed at early detection of persons at high risk of geriatric syndrome and early intervention for these persons. In this comprehensive mass health examination for maintenance of independence and health of the elderly ("Otasha-Kenshin"), the elderly at high risk of various health problems such as falls, incontinence, malnutrition, cognitive impairment, and functional decline are effectively screened, then they are offered various safe and effective training programs.

Geriatric Syndrome: Cause of Long-Term Care

Bibliographic Information

Description

Journal

Citations (4)*help

References(2)*help

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Export

Report a problem