Intervention study for the relocated elderly: Targeting disability prevention and productivity promotion

我们进行了一项初步的干预研究，探讨了有助于预防再安置老年人社会隔离的因素。采用准实验设计来评估干预的有效性。对参与干预的同伴志愿者的影响也进行了检查。研究对象年龄在65岁以上，在研究开始前两年内搬到了东京A市。那些对最初的问卷调查做出回应并同意参与干预的人被随机分配到干预组（n=21）和对照组（n=42）。干预措施包括四次小组会议，重点是提供信息和促进社区联网。会议于2006年9月和10月举行。在2004年参加过类似项目的老年居民（n=5）被邀请作为志愿者帮助干预。干预对安置的老年人的影响在1个月和6个月后进行了问卷调查。干预组在生理和心理健康以及社会隔离的各项指标方面显示出统计上显著的改善。干预两个月后进行的焦点小组访谈也证实了隔离预防、网络和社会活动方面的有效性。我们通过焦点小组访谈来评估对同伴志愿者的影响。志愿者们报告说，他们对生活的信心和意义有所增加，他们之间的人际关系也有所改善。他们还受益于对自己社区知识水平的提高。本研究结果显示，支援计划在短期内可有效改善安置老人的健康状况及社会孤立状况。这项研究的结果还表明，参与干预计划的同伴志愿者也有互惠的好处。少

We conducted a preliminary intervention study regarding the factors contributing to the prevention of social isolation among the relocated elderly. A quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. The effects on the peer volunteers involved in the intervention were also examined.The subjects were aged65and over who had moved to A City, Tokyo, within the two years previous to the study. Those who responded to an initial questionnaire survey and who agreed to participate in the intervention were randomly assigned to the intervention (n=21) and control (n=42) groups. The intervention consisted of four group sessions which focused on information provision and facilitating community networking. The sessions were conducted during September and October in 2006. Elderly residents who had participated in a similar program held in2004 (n=5) were approached to help with the intervention as volunteers.The effects of the intervention on the relocated elderly w … More ere assessed using questionnaires conducted one month and six months after the sessions. The intervention group showed statistically significant improvements in the various indicators for physical and psychological health and social isolation. A focus group interview conducted two months after the intervention also confirmed the effectiveness in terms of isolation prevention, networking and social activities.We evaluated the effects on the peer volunteers through a focus group interview. The volunteers reported increased feelings of confidence and meaningfulness in life as well as improved networking among themselves. They also benefited by increased levels of knowledge about their own community.We conclude that the support program is effective in promoting the health and ameliorating social isolation for relocated elderly in the immediate and short time. The results of this study also suggest there were reciprocal benefits for the peer volunteers participating in the intervention program. Less