Glycated hemoglobin levels and intellectual activity in an aged population.

Objectives: To examine the association between glycated hemoglobin (GHb) and aspects of daily activities in an elderly population.

Design: Cross-sectional population-based survey.

Setting: Nangai village, an agricultural community with a population of about 5,000 located in Akita prefecture in the north of Japan.

[Risk factors associated with onset of urinary incontinence in a community-dwelling elderly population: a 4-year follow-up study].

Objective: To estimate the risk factors associated with onset of urinary incontinence in a rural community-dwelling elderly population.

Methods: The study area, village N in Akita Prefecture, is a rural community in which a baseline survey of TMIG-LISA (Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Longitudinal and Interdisciplinary Study on Aging) was undertaken in 1996. Among the baseline subjects, 760 (314 males and 446 females) community-dwelling elderly people aged over 65, who did not suffer from urinary incontinence at entry of the survey were selected.

[Effects of dietary variety on declines in high-level functional capacity in elderly people living in a community].

Objective: The purpose of the investigation was to assess effects of dietary variety on declines in high-level functional capacity in community dwelling elderly, based on a 5-year longitudinal study (from 1992 to 1997).

Subjects And Method: Subjects were a representative sample comprising 235 men (mean age 70.8 years) and 373 women (71.

[Cognitive function as the factor determining higher-level competence in community-dwelling elderly: comprehensive health examination for the community elderly for the prevention of the geriatric syndrome and a bed-ridden state ("otasha-kenshin")].

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine age-related differences in cognitive function, and their relation to higher-level competence of elderly living in an urban community.

Method: Participants were 438 individuals (males 168, females 270) aged 70 to 84 years living in an urban community in Tokyo. Three cognitive performance tests, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) Digit Symbol, Word Fluency Test, and the WAIS-R Digit Span, were employed for estimating cognitive function, and the TMIG Index of Competence for measuring higher-level competence.

[Functional status of community-dwelling frail elderly in the Japanese long-term care insurance system].

Objective: To clarify exercise habits, self-rated functional fitness, activities of daily living (ADL) and fear of falling in community-dwelling elderly who are classified as frail by the eligibility decision process of the Japanese long-term care insurance system.

Methods: Subjects aged 75 years and older were classified into a frail elderly group (n = 126; male = 29, female = 97) and a healthy elderly group (n = 262; male = 114, female = 148). We had carried out an interview survey using questionnaire asking about exercise habits, self-rated functional fitness, ADL, fear of falling and activity curtailment.

[Comprehensive health examination ("Otasha-Kenshin") for the prevention of geriatric syndromes and a bed-ridden state in the community elderly. 1. Differences in characteristics between participants and non-participants].

Purpose: We conducted a comprehensive mass health examination for elderly subjects aged 70 or above, living in the community, to assess early deterioration to long-term care conditions and promote healthy and successful aging ("Otasha-Kenshin"). In this study, we clarified characteristic differences between participants and non-participants.

Subjects & Methods: A mass health examination was offered in October 2001 to 863 community elderly, including individuals suffering from falls (and fractures), incontinence, malnutrition, depression, mild cognitive impairment and less of functional capacity.