Active older adults in Japan participate in multiple social activities to be socially involved. However, physical limitation and decline in enthusiasm due to ageing decrease their participation. Diverse activities should be available at one place, close to older adult’s residence, to sustain social connections. A community space was launched at Toyoshikidai housing complex (Kashwia, Japan) in February 2018. The place offers about 25 activities per month. This research aimed to elucidate the relationship between activity type and motivation for participation, and study the effect of the community space on older adults’ social connection. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted targeting the attendees of community space (February 2020). Of attendees, 68% lived within 10-minutes walking distance to the community space (N=101). The activities were classified into craft, exercise, and music. The motivation for attending craft events were information exchange and relaxation, as was health maintenance for exercise events. Participating in group performance was the motivation to attend active music event, and casual gathering and network expansion was for passive music event. The frequency of social participation outside the community space was low in the group aged over 75 years. This group attended the activities at the community space more frequently than did the younger group. Differences in the number of social connections were not found. This result implies that older adults maintained their social connection by attending activities held at the community space. The diverse programs and close location of the community space might have contributed to the motivation of participation.
A local community space in Japan, Chiki Kastudokan, has been hosting several senior-to-senior social activities for community-dwelling older adults with support from the University of Tokyo. The activities are aimed at fostering communication and social engagement through exercise, music, cafe, and craft. After the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic, these activities have been disrupted. We conducted a questionnaire survey between June and July 2020 to assess how the pandemic has affected 26 activities and identify support needs that can enable their continuity amid the pandemic (response rate: 77%). First, all 26 activities were suspended by the onset of COVID-19. Hosts of 8 (40%) activities devised alternative ways to engage participants at home. For instance, hosts of craft activities arranged and sent to participants crafting kits. Limited capacity in using online platforms like Skype or Zoom prevented virtual interaction of hosts and participants. Notably, hosts were anxious towards resuming activities amid the pandemic. They worried about their health (50%), of being criticized by friends and family(25%), and of infections spreading among participants (85%). Hosts wanted strategies to prevent infections during activities, and easy to understand infection prevention guidelines for participants. These findings reveal that COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected senior-to-senior activities at Chiki Kastudokan. The University of Tokyo could help hosts identify effective infection prevention strategies to use when hosting activities amid the pandemic. It could also provide ICT training to hosts and participants to enhance their capacity in using online platforms in case of future waves of COVID-19.
The case of Sungmisan Village was highly evaluated by the Korean government which resulted in efforts to guide and support similar cases in other regions. However, there are several problems that have become apparent with these efforts and are believed to stem from a lack of understanding of 'networks', which are what led to the success of Sungmisan Village. Therefore, this study aims to clarify the structure and characteristics of various types of 'networks' between community-based organizations and the status of self-generated community activities in Sungmisan Village. Additionally, and unlike previous studies based on interviews, it became possible to understand the realities of 'networks' more accurately via analyses of social networks based on specific exchanges of resources. In summary, the dense, broad information sharing and joint projects between organizations housing the same purpose exist as the most vital basis of the entire network. Client referrals and local consumption activities are thought to be capable of carrying out sustainable economic activities through extensive links covering various fields of activities with significant organizations. Lastly, cultural/art/learning organizations play indirect, intermediary roles which cover both the for-profit and non-profit sectors in addition to increasing flexibility within the entire network. The results of the study can be used for the community's solidarity and response to the local problems currently facing Sungmisan Village. Furthermore, it will also help develop citizen-led support policies that induce cooperation between organizations and the formation of network structures.
This research analyzed the process of how discussion topics change in Renovation School Program in Tottori. The purpose of the paper is to consider the features of the complex communication between experts and participants, not a simple consensus making between the government and citizens in planning process, and how it results in outcomes. To clarify the complex communication, this research focused on the relationship between discussion process and words used in the final presentation referring to interviews of experts. As a result, the research found that discussions have been developing while repeating divergence and regression of topics.
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