Yuichiro Oka

Factors related to functional capacity in community-dwelling elderly

Background:  The objectives of this study were to clarify the relationship between functional capacity and background factors in community‐dwelling elderly people.

Influence of living alone on emotional well-being in community-dwelling elderly persons

Background:  Elderly persons living alone might be an at‐risk group for high levels of mortality and morbidity, making high demands on health and social services. However, the effect of living alone on the physical and mental health of the elderly has not been sufficiently investigated. This study investigated the relationship between living alone and well‐being, and determined the characteristics, physical health status, mental health status, social support and health needs of community‐dwelling elderly people who are living alone.

Risk factors for insomnia in community-dwelling older persons

Background:  Aging is associated with changes in both subjective sleep quality and objective sleep patterns. The objectives of this study were to clarify risk factors for sleeping habits and insomnia symptoms in the community‐dwelling older persons.

Predictors of functional status in Japanese community-dwelling older persons during a 2-year follow up

Aims:  To clarify baseline sociodemographic and health characteristics that predict subsequent functional outcome in community‐dwelling Japanese older persons.

Self‐reported depressive state can be a predictor of engagement in work by community‐dwelling elderly 2 years later

Background:  Depression is one of the most common medical disorders in elderly community‐dwelling persons. The present study prospectively examined the relationship between depressive state in elderly persons and their engagement in work and/or activities during the subsequent 2 years.