Aim To clarify the age‐related changes in muscle elasticity or thickness of the lower extremities in older women, and to analyze their relationship with physical functions. Methods The muscle elasticity and thickness of the rectus femoris and medial head of the gastrocnemius of 102 young women (young group) and 221 elderly women (elderly group) were measured using ultrasonography. In the elderly group, physical functions, including knee extension strength, Timed Up and Go test, single‐leg standing, maximum gait speed and Four Square Step Test were also measured. Results The elasticity of the rectus femoris and medial head of the gastrocnemius were significantly higher, but the muscle thickness of both muscles was significantly lower in the elderly group than in the young group (both P < 0.001). In the elderly group, the elasticity of the rectus femoris was significantly correlated with Timed Up and Go test, maximum gait speed and Four Square Step Test (ρ = 0.481, r = −0.387 and ρ = 0.401, respectively, all P < 0.001), and the medial head of the gastrocnemius was similar (ρ = 0.471, r = −0.489 and ρ = 0.422, respectively, all P < 0.001). The muscle thickness of the rectus femoris was significantly associated with knee extension strength (r = 0.444, P < 0.001). Conclusions Older women showed age‐related changes in high elasticity and atrophy of the rectus femoris and medial head of the gastrocnemius. The high elasticity of both muscles, not muscle thickness, was associated with dynamic balance and walking ability. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 61–65.

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Our results demonstrated the reference values derived from the circadian parameters of older Japanese population with or without dementia. Also, we determined the MVPA conducive to a good circadian rest-active pattern. This reference value for physical activity conducive to a good circadian rhythm might be useful for developing a new index for health promotion in the older community-dwelling population.

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Introduction Reminiscence therapy, using life story books, is a non-pharmacological treatment and helps promote psychosocial benefits in people with dementia. This research thus aimed to determine the effects of life story books among participants with dementia of different severities. Method The experimental group ( n = 36) underwent three semi-structured interviews over 10 weeks. After a 2-week life story books-production interval, the experimental group received the intervention over 4 weeks, five times weekly. The following 12 weeks were the follow-up period. The control group ( n = 30) underwent the first and last assessments, with a 6-month interval, while receiving their usual care services. Results Participants’ cognitive functioning was mostly maintained at follow-up in the experimental group, but significantly declined in the control group. The experimental group showed no significant change in cognition among participants with severe dementia during all periods, assessed using the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, and the caregivers’ burden decreased significantly from before to after the intervention. Conclusion These results demonstrate that life story book interventions are an effective tool in improving the relationship between caregivers and people with dementia, and could help people with dementia maintain cognitive function, even those with severe dementia.