Solution-Driven Co-creative R&D Program for SDGs (SOLVE for SDGs): Preventing Social Isolation & Loneliness and Creating Diversified Social Networks | RISTEX

Research Institute of Science and Technology for Society (RISTEX)

R&D PROJECTS

Project
FY2022

Sustainable Prevention of Social Isolation and Loneliness through the Establishment of the IKIGAI Volunteer System

Principal Investigator: SHIMADA Hiroyuki

Director, Center for Gerontology and Social Science, Research Institute, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology

social isolation and loneliness, IKIGAI volunteer, social role, nursing care, life satisfaction

R&D Period: 2022.10–2027.3

researchmap

Project Overview

Older people’s social isolation and loneliness and lack of a feeling of well-being

Social isolation and loneliness are conditions that can occur in all generations. The development of physical and mental illnesses caused by these conditions is a social issue that leads to increases in medical and nursing care costs, decreases in productivity, and loss of a feeling of well-being. As a potential social intervention that could improve the well-being of older people, it is considered vital for them to engage in productive activities, such as employment and volunteerism, and live their lives in social roles. However, in addition to the loss of roles with aging, there is a possibility of drastically reducing future opportunities for interpersonal exchanges due to emerging infectious diseases, such as novel coronavirus infections (COVID-19). Therefore, now is the time to create new mechanisms to create social roles for older people.

Visualization of social isolation and loneliness among older people and establishment of the IKIGAI volunteer system

What is considered vital to prevent social isolation and loneliness includes building a network in the community to ensure the early detection of abnormal conditions (passive prevention) and the development of an attractive system to get people to decide on participation in the network themselves (active prevention). Given this background, this project sets a goal of building a highly accurate prediction model that helps understand the mechanism of isolation and loneliness development and select older people at high risk of falling into isolation and loneliness in the community by exploring comprehensive factors related to isolation and loneliness using the database from large-scale community surveys conducted by our research team. We also aim to build a society in which older people can make use of their own will and characteristics, acquire skills to play an active role in the community, maintain their physical and mental health by participating in society through IKIGAI volunteer activities, and live a long and happy life with a high level of life satisfaction. Among other things, it is apparent that the shortage of nursing care personnel will become increasingly severe in the future. Therefore, we will establish an educational system to improve nursing care work skills and build a support system that enables the implementation of support by IKIGAI volunteers.

Q&A

Please tell us more about the social vision this project aims to achieve for the primary prevention of social isolation and loneliness.
It is reported that older Japanese people are highly motivated to work, with many wanting to continue to work even after turning 60. Older people working happily and comfortably in their residential area and contributing to solving problems in their community are considered to help them earn a living and motivate them in life (IKIGAI). This project aims for the social implementation of sustainable nationwide measures to prevent isolation and loneliness in the nursing care industry and various other sectors by establishing an “IKIGAI volunteer” system and collaborating with local governments and private companies.
What are the biggest challenges (bottlenecks) in achieving the social vision above?
An issue common to health, medical, and welfare services is the refusal of support by older people themselves. Such a case makes providing appropriate support service challenging, missing opportunities for improvement due to delays in support timing. This project will develop an attractive IKIGAI volunteer system to promote motivation for active prevention among older people. The project also studies a system that enables them to “Make Friends,” allowing them to engage in various activities together.

Participating/Cooperating Institutions

  • National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, SOMPO Care Inc., Individual Shared Systems, Inc., Obu City, Kariya City, Takahama City, Chita City, Tokai City, Toyoake City, Higashiura Town, and others.

Press Release

Report

FY2022