Tomoko Kawaguchi

By Kiyomi Hiko, Katsue Tanaka, Masayo Kume, Masahiro Noguchi, Tomoko Kawaguchi, Tomoko Okabe, Keisuke Machino and Shizuo Hanya

This project began in April 2017 with a survey of people who have achieved healthy longevity with the aim of preventing people from becoming bedridden and improving the health of local residents. The purpose of this survey was to contribute to the achievement of healthy longevity among older adults. We analyzed the current status of those who had achieved healthy longevity, aged 90 and over, living in Nonoichi City from qualitative and quantitative data. As a result, we have gradually been able to better understand the factors related to the achievement of healthy longevity, including (1) lifestyle history, (2) the assessment of cognitive functions, (3) frailty status, and (4) daily living functions. These results were published at several conferences in 2018 and 2019. Furthermore, we prepared a leaflet containing “four suggestions for living a long and healthy life,” which uses the results of previous surveys as evidence and promotes health promotion and care prevention activities for local community residents.

Part of the book: Contributions to the Local Community Through the University

By Satoshi Kojima, Tomoyuki Maruo and Tomoko Kawaguchi

With the aim of improving the foot health of infants and school-age children, Kinjo University in Japan has established the Foot Health Education Project in 2014, under which university faculty members, students, and industrial organizations have conducted joint activities. The results of surveys on approximately 3000 children to date have shown high prevalence rates of bunionette, undeveloped foot arch, floating toes, and a paucity of wearers of right-size shoes. Under such circumstances, a follow-up survey has been conducted to examine whether changes in foot morphology can be reversed by wearing right-size shoes. The results have suggested that wearing right-size shoes facilitated the development of foot arch and improved floating toes. We plan to continue surveys and share the trends obtained from survey results and possible measures with community residents. In addition, we plan to establish scientific evidence that is useful for education and that contributes to the healthy development of children’s feet.

Part of the book: Contributions to the Local Community Through the University

By Mitsunobu Kouno, Tomoko Kawaguchi, Masashi Yoshitake and Naoki Sakano

According to estimates by the Japanese Cabinet Office, there will be approximately 6.02 million elderly people with dementia in 2020, and the prevalence of dementia among those age 65 years and above will be very high at 16.7%. Therefore, it is important to prevent dementia in local communities. However, even though exercises for physical strength maintenance are conducted in many local communities, there are very few exercises to prevent declines in cognitive function. Thus, the “Brain Wakawaka Club” makes tours to local communities with the students of the Department of Occupational Therapy, and conducts cognitive function evaluation and maintenance exercises for elderly people. This activity is expected to contribute to the prevention of dementia among the elderly in the community.

Part of the book: Contributions to the Local Community Through the University