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Objective: The aims of this study were to examine the preparedness of vulnerable people ages 75 years and older and to clarify the characteristics of older adults that are associated with disaster preparedness. Methods: We conducted interviews with persons requiring special care ages 75 years and older living in coastal communities of western Japan, where earthquakes and tsunami disasters are a concern. The survey included participant characteristics such as demographic indicators, physical function, health status, community involvement, and disaster preparedness. Binomial logistic regression analysis was performed with participant characteristics as independent variables and disaster preparedness as the dependent variables. Results: The characteristics related to disaster preparedness were age, family composition, cognitive function, level of interaction with neighbors, and participation in community activities. Conclusions: Being female, living alone, and having cognitive impairment were factors that led to decreased disaster preparedness. However, it was suggested that close human interactions in the community facilitated preparedness. Community engagement is crucial in reducing disaster damage and recovering effectively. In order to facilitate preparedness measures for persons requiring special care ages 75 and older, it is important to establish community preparedness.

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Objective: To determine the effectiveness of nursing intervention using CGA in late-stage elderly patients admitted to acute hospitals. Methods: A total of 39 elderly patients aged 75 years or older who were admitted to acute hospitals were assigned to the intervention group (20 subjects, mean age of 83.9 years) or the control group (19 subjects, mean age of 85.0 years) to compare ADL, cognitive function, and vitality at baseline, changes in outcomes at three weeks post-admission, length of hospital stay, and discharge destination. Results: Total scores of ADL, cognitive function, and vitality significantly increased from baseline in the intervention group compared to the control group with interactions among the total scores. Scores on subscales of ADL (toilet use, dressing, bowel control, and bladder control), the subscale of cognitive function (names of five items), and subscales of vitality (on and off toilet) significantly increased from baseline in the intervention group compared to the control group. The length of hospital stay did not significantly differ between the intervention and control groups. Conclusion: This study indicated that nursing intervention using CGA was effective in preventing decline in ADL, cognitive function, and vitality in late-stage elderly patients admitted to acute hospitals.

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