Promoting independent living and preventing lonely death in an older adult: Soma Idobata-Nagaya after the 2011 Fukushima disaster

Abstract

Contrary to the assumption that older adults are only cared for by their families in rural Japan, this case illustrates that community formation can effectively provide older adult care after an emergency as well. We look at the life of a woman who lived in a housing facility for older adults, Idobata-Nagaya in Soma, Japan, exploring how social housing—which addresses the needs of older adults regarding community, familiarity and socialising—can provide a viable, effective and comfortable environment for older adults to live. In the case of Idobata-Nagaya, not only could older adults take care of one another but they could also share experiences of the Fukushima disaster with each other. This is a qualitative case study which provides a stable foundation for policymakers, healthcare workers and government officials to better understand the effectiveness of housing projects for communities and older adults in Japan and globally.

Idobata-Nagaya: a community housing solution for socially isolated older adults following the great East Japan earthquake

“…This study revealed variations in age and independence levels among the residents, highlighting the importance of accommodating a diverse older population. Unlike traditional residential facilities with constant professional supervision, such as nursing homes, Nagaya fostered an environment for residents to interact and support each other (21). Unlike facilities with strict admission conditions based on care needs (24,25), Nagaya embraced residents with varying levels of frailty and care requirements.…”

“…"Idobata" is a term used to denote a place for socializing. The amalgamation of these two terms led to the creation of "Idobata Nagaya" (hereafter Nagaya), which was designed as a hub for daily social interaction (21).Within Nagaya, residents convene for communal meals, participate in group exercise, monitor each other's health, and engage in spontaneous interactions (15,21). The overarching vision of Nagaya was to cultivate a community wherein independent older individuals could either delay the need for assisted care or remain even if their health deteriorated.…”

Multisite Lifestyle for Older People after the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

“…Achieving ageing in a place during a disaster can be a challenging situation, due to various factors [6,7]. One such factor is the tendency of younger generations to establish new lives in evacuation destinations, whereas older generations prefer to remain in places where they have lived for many years [8,9]. This creates concerns about the emotional distress experienced by residents when they must relocate and adapt to new environments, leading to lifestyle changes [10].…”

“…new lives in evacuation destinations, whereas older generations prefer to remain in places where they have lived for many years [8,9]. This creates concerns about the emotional distress experienced by residents when they must relocate and adapt to new environments, leading to lifestyle changes [10].…”