Background/Objectives: Maintaining functional independence and minimizing disability among older adults living in the community is paramount for mitigating rising care demands. Our study focused on shopping as a critical instrumental activity of daily living (ADL) to explore the association between shopping assistance and functional decline among older individuals receiving support through long-term care insurance (LTCI). Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study included 6202 participants aged >65 years living in a Japanese regional town receiving LTCI support, suggesting that they required assistance with local community life. Logistic regression analysis identified several factors associated with shopping assistance among the participants, including physical and cognitive functions, functional ADL, and psychobehavioral symptoms. Results: In male participants, walking dysfunction, short-term memory decline, decreased frequency of going outdoors, and decreased engagement in personal grooming were significantly associated with requiring shopping assistance. Conversely, in female participants, reduced physical function and walking performance were significantly associated with requiring shopping assistance, whereas dependence on personal grooming was less pronounced than in male participants. Conclusions: These findings suggest that, in addition to direct shopping assistance, tailored interventions targeting physical, cognitive, and ADL functions—while considering gender-specific needs—may help older adults maintain independence in shopping activities as part of their daily community life.

This study investigated the correlation between the risk of falls and life functions, including motor function, cognitive function, and urinary disorders, among older adults residing in small cities in the metropolitan areas of Japan and evaluated the contents of fall prevention instructions. Sixty-nine older adults residing at home participated in this case-control study conducted between September and October 2019. The survey items included questions pertaining to the history of falls; grip strength; the 30-s Chair Stand Test (CS-30), Functional Reach Test (FRT), and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) scores; mental and cognitive functions [Test Your Memory-Japanese version test (TYM-J)]; living conditions; and urination status [Core Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Score (CLSS)]. Participants with a history of falls had significantly lower CS-30 and FRT scores, and significantly higher TUG scores and CLSS than those with no history of falls. Grip strength bore significant correlations with the CS-30 and TUG scores. The CS-30 scores were correlated with the FRT and TUG scores. The FRT scores were correlated with the TUG and French State Activity Index (FAI) scores. The TUG scores were correlated with the TYM-J and FAI scores. The CLSS showed no significant correlations with the remaining items. The FRT scores and CLSS exerted a significant effect on the risk of experiencing falls. Both balancing ability and micturition status affect fall risk and should be considered in treatment strategies for urinary disorders in fall prevention programs for older adults.

Background: Attentional function is the basis of cognitive function, and its decline affects the daily lives of older adults. Previous studies have not consistently reported the effects of dual-task training (DTT) on attentional function in community-dwelling older adults. This study aims to verify the effectiveness of DTT by combining “motor tasks” and “cognitive tasks involving motor activity” with a focus on inducing dual-task interference (DTI). Methods: The study design is a randomized controlled trial. The intervention consists of DTT that combines “motor tasks” involving lower limb movements with “cognitive tasks involving motor activity” incorporating complex finger movements. The program will be implemented in a DTI setting, and tasks will be adjusted individually for each participant. The intervention group will be conducted twice per week for four weeks, with each session lasting one hour. The control group will continue with the participants’ usual daily activities for four weeks. Attentional function will be assessed as the primary outcome using the Trail Making Test-Japanese and as secondary outcomes using the digit span test and the Stroop and reverse-Stroop test. Balance function will be measured using the single-leg stance test. All evaluations will be conducted at baseline and post-intervention. In the statistical analysis, paired t -tests will be used to compare pre-intervention and post-intervention changes within each group, and analysis of covariance will be used to compare intervention effects between groups. Discussion: Based on the study objectives, the maintenance and improvement of attentional function should be promoted to help community-dwelling older adults maintain healthy lives in familiar environments. Trial registration: UMIN, UMIN000057681. Registered on 30 June 2025. UMIN website https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000065882 .