Community-based social innovations: Addressing the needs of older people in Japan
Community-based social innovation (CBSI) programmes aim to improve older people’s physical and psychological well-being and may help older persons living in communities to care for themselves, feel socially included and maintain their wellbeing.
The WHO Centre for Health Development (WKC) supported researchers at Osaka University to study CBSI in northern Hyogo Prefecture including Yabu City. The local government supported CBSI programmes such as physical exercise and cognitive games run by and for local older people at a venue within walking distance for participants.
The researchers found that older populations in rural communities participated enthusiastically in community activities, largely due to good collaboration between local government and older people, using existing community resources such as centres for older people. Older people who exercised and participated in group activities did so, not only to maintain mental and physical health, but also to connect with their community.
Older people showed leadership in sharing their needs with policy makers. This is a lesson that can be applied to other regions and countries. The researchers regard older people’s involvement in CBSI as a good message for younger people participating in CBSI activities who acknowledged learning a lot from older people’s attitudes towards ageing.