Promoting cultural change towards dementia friendly communities: a multi-level intervention in Japan

Abstract

BackgroundEffective strategies to develop dementia-friendly communities (DFCs) are needed in aging societies. We aimed to propose a strategy to develop DFCs from a Japanese perspective and to evaluate an intervention program that adopted the strategy.MethodsThis study implemented a multi-level intervention that emphasized nurturing community social capital in a large apartment complex in the Tokyo metropolitan area in 2017. We offered an inclusive café that was open for extended hours as a place to socialize and a center for activities that included monthly public lectures. Individual consultation on daily life issues was also available for free at the café. Postal surveys were sent out to all older residents aged 70 years and older in 2016 and 2019. With a one-group pre-test and post-test design, we assessed changes in the proportion of older residents who had social interaction with friends and those who were confident about living in the community, even if they were living with dementia.ResultsTotals of 2633 and 2696 residents completed the pre and post-intervention surveys, respectively. The mean age of the pre-intervention respondents was 77.4 years; 45.7% lived alone and 7.7% reported living with impaired cognitive function. The proportion of men who had regular social interaction and were confident about living in their community with dementia increased significantly from 38.8 to 44.5% (p = 0.0080) and from 34.1 to 38.3% (p = 0.045), respectively. Similar significant increases were observed in the subgroup of men living with impaired cognitive function, but not in the same subgroup for women.ConclusionsThe intervention benefitted male residents who were less likely to be involved in the community’s web of social networks at baseline. A strategy to create DFCs that emphasizes nurturing community social capital can form a foundation for DFCs.Trial registrationThis study was retrospectively registered in the University hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) Clinical Trial Registry (registry number:UMIN000038193, date of registration: Oct 3, 2019).

“GO” to move toward dementia‐friendly communities: A pilot study

“…In Japan, the frequency and duration of previously predominant community activities such as neighborhood associations and festivals have been reduced. It has been suggested that alternative volunteer groups and community salons may serve as a basis for DFCs (Tsuda et al., 2022). Another study suggests that interventions using a health promotion approach may have merit in creating DFCs (Kawachi & Berkman, 2014).…”

“…DFCs are communities where people with dementia feel understood, respected, and supported by those around them and feel more confident in participating in and contributing to social activities. In Japan, policies aimed at promoting successful DFCs, as well as activities organized by companies, nonprofit organizations, and community organizations, have been gradually expanding and spreading awareness since the 2010s (Tsuda et al., 2022). Our research team has been conducting epidemiological and action research since 2016, establishing a community center within the Takashimadaira housing complex in Itabashi ward, Tokyo, to build an urban model of DFCs (Okamura et al., 2020; Ura et al., 2021).…”