Table 1 Distribution of survey subjects by happiness, by age and sex CI indicates cofidence interval. and Background Factors in Community-Dwelling Older Persons Ryuichi Kawamoto1), Takaaki Doi1), Akihiro Yamada1), Masanobu Okayama2), Kouki Tsuruoka2), Motomi Satho3) and Eiji Kajii2) In order to maintain and improve mental health of elderly people living in the community, a cross sectional survey was conducted to elucidate their happiness and background factors. The subjects were elderly persons living in the community who were able to fill in the questionnaire themselves. The study employed the self-recording questionnaire forms used in Kahoku Longitudinal Aging Study by Matsubayashi et al. Happiness was assessed using a visual analogue scale. Out of 2,379 elderly persons who were able to fill in the questionnaire by themselves in 2,361 (99.2%) returned the questionnaire sheets. After removing inadequate responses, analysis was possible for 1,873 (78.7%) (860 men (average age 72.7 years) and 1,013 women (average age 72.8 years)). Among those with greater happiness, the ratio of those living with others (p= 0.0051) was high, as well as those with spouses (p=0.0240), without a history of hypertension (p=0.0096) and apoplexy (p=0.0039), not receiving medication regularly (p=0.0039), with regular habit of walking (p<0.001), or with work (p< 0.001). As for the relationship between happiness and various scores, the higher the happiness scale became, the scores for ADL, information-related function, functional and emotional support network, healthy condition, appetite condition, sleep condition, memory condition, family relationships, friendship, economic condition became significantly higner (p<0.001, respectively). On multiple regression analysis using the background factors for happiness as explanatory variables, factors such as functional support network (p<0.001), emotional support network (p=0.0254), healthy condition (p<0.001), good memory condition (p=0.0027), friendship (p<0.001), good economic condition (p<0.001) were significant independent contributing factors. As for the relation between SDS and happiness, the more serious the SDS score (higher score) became, the scores for the feeling of happiness became significantly smaller (p<0.001). For amelioration of the happiness of elderly persons living in the community, attempts should be made to improve the background factors clarified by the present study by efficiently utilizing health, medical and welfare services.

A Study of Depressive State and Background Factors in Community-DwellingOlder Persons Ryuichi Kawamoto1)2), Takaaki Doi1), Akihiro Yamada1), Takashi Oguni1), Masanobu Okayama2), Kouki Tsuruoka2), Motomi Satho3) and Eiji Kajii2)In order to maintain and improve the mental health of elderly people living in the community, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to elucidate their depressive state and its background factors. Subjects were elderly persons living in the community who were able to fill in the questionnaire themselves. The study used the self recording questionnaire sheets used in the Kahoku Longitudinal Aging Study by Matsubayashi et al and the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). Out of 2,379 elderly persons who were able to fill in the questionnaire by themselves in the community, 2,361 (99.2%) returned the questionnaire sheets. After removing inadequate responses, analysis was possible for 1,181 (49.6%) (542 males (average persons (61.9%); mild, 240 (20.3%); moderate, 181 (15.3%); and severe, 29 (2.5%). The average age became higher as the SDS became high, of being indicating the seriousness of the depressive state (p=0.0155), with the ratio women significantly higher (p=0.0077). Among those with severe SDS, the ratio of single persons was high (p<0.001) as well as those who were non-drinkers (p=0.0015), without regular habit of walking (p<0.001), or without work (p<0.001). The ratio of those receiving medication regularly was also significantly high (p=0.0022). As for the relation of SDS with various of the scores, the higher the SDS score became, the scores for ADL, information-related function, functional and emotional support network, family relationship, friendship, economic condition became significantly lower (p<0.001, respectively). In logistic regression analysis using the background factors for SDS as explanatory variables, factors such as being women (odds ratio, 1.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-2.72), ADL (0.80; 0.69-0.93), emotional support network (0.88; 0.81-0.96), friendship (0.98; 0.96-0.99) were significant independent contributing factors. As for the relation between SDS and subjective senses, the more serious the SDS score became, the scores for feelings of healthiness and satisfaction became significantly smaller (both p<0.001). For prevention and amelioration of the depressive state of elderly persons living in the community, attempts should be made to improve the background factors which were clarified by the present study by efficiently utilizing health, medical and welfare services and following the future course with a positive attitude.

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