Ura Chiaki, Okamura Tsuyoshi, Yamazaki Sachiko, Ishiguro Taichi, Ibe Masumi, Miyazaki Mayako, Torishima Keisuke, Kawamuro Yu
Research Team for Promoting Independence of the Elderly, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology.
Bunkyo Gakuin University.
Nihon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi. 2018;55(1):106-116. doi: 10.3143/geriatrics.55.106.
The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of rice-farming care among elderly people with cognitive impairment as a tool for social inclusion.
Eight elderly individuals with cognitive impairment (7 men, 1 woman, mean age 68.3 years old) participated in the program over 25 weeks. The cognitive function, well-being, and depression were assessed before and after the program period. The degree of participants' independence during the program was also assessed. Semi-structured interviews with the participants and caregivers were held after the program period.
The average participation rate was 93.0%. There were no unexpected events, and the subjects carried out farmwork almost independently. Regarding their well-being, two participants who scored below the cut-off criterion of mental health before the study scored above the cut-off after the study. Regarding depression, two participants who scored positive with a two-question case-finding instrument no longer scored positive after the study. Interviews with the participants showed that they enjoyed the program, especially because they had peers, a role, and gained positive emotions. Interviews with the caregivers showed that they had recognized for the first time what people can do with their skills.
The results of the present study indicate that rice-farming was a feasible method of care with a positive impact on the well-being and depression of elderly people with cognitive impairment and enhanced their social participation, drawing out their individual strengths.
本研究旨在评估将水稻种植护理作为一种社会融合工具应用于认知障碍老年人的可行性。
8名认知障碍老年人（7名男性，1名女性，平均年龄68.3岁）在25周内参与了该项目。在项目前后对认知功能、幸福感和抑郁情况进行了评估。还评估了参与者在项目期间的独立程度。在项目结束后，对参与者和照顾者进行了半结构化访谈。
平均参与率为93.0%。未发生意外事件，受试者几乎能独立进行农活。关于他们的幸福感，在研究前心理健康得分低于临界标准的两名参与者在研究后得分高于临界值。关于抑郁，在研究前使用两题筛查工具筛查为阳性的两名参与者在研究后不再呈阳性。对参与者的访谈表明，他们喜欢这个项目，特别是因为他们有同龄人、有角色并且获得了积极情绪。对照顾者的访谈表明，他们首次认识到人们可以用自己的技能做什么。
本研究结果表明，水稻种植是一种可行的护理方法，对认知障碍老年人的幸福感和抑郁有积极影响，并增强了他们的社会参与度，发挥了他们的个人优势。
