Synergistic Effect of Motivation for the Elderly and Support for Going out

Abstract

Maintaining a social environment that enables going out freely is important for older people and aids the prevention of frailty syndrome. However, losing a driver’s license can increase the long-term care needs of older people. Therefore, outing support systems are important. However, the utilization rate of these systems is currently relatively low. We conducted a demonstration experiment among older people aged 70 years and over, living in Iruma City, Saitama Japan, by implementing the Choisoko outing support system developed by Aisin Co., Ltd., in conjunction with an approach for improving motivation. Using this system, elderly people were able to go shopping freely whenever they chose, without a driver’s license. Participants in the demonstration experiment exhibited higher Functional Independence Measure scores after the intervention, irrespective of whether or not they used the Choisoko system. The number of uses per person increased over time, and the subjective well-being of Choisoko users improved. However, few male participants engaged with the system. Although improving motivation is important for inducing positive behaviors and enabling the elderly to go out, motivation-improving factors differ between men and women.

Synergistic Effect of Motivation for the Elderly and Support for Going Out II: Measures to Induce Elderly Men to Go Out

“…In 2021, with support from the Ministry of Economy, as part of joint research by 13 parties, including Iruma City and Aisin Co., Ltd., we conducted a social demonstration experiment in which the Choisoko going out support system incorporated elements that motivated people to go out in daily life, such as shopping for daily necessities and participating in events. The Choisoko system, developed by Aisin Co., Ltd., is an advanced outing support service utilized by numerous local governments in Japan, boasting a high continuation rate among users [ 15 ]. It operates similarly to a taxi service, allowing participants to reserve rides via the Choisoko Operating Center.…”