要介護高齢者における一人暮らしの工夫─家事に焦点を当てて─

An exploratory study of solutions for certified Long-Term Care elderly living alone: A focus on household tasks

要旨：要介護状態にある一人暮らし高齢者の家事に焦点を当て，生活上の工夫を明らかにするため，対象者10名に半構成的面接を実施した．その結果，8つの概念が見出された．対象者は，自己決定権をもち，信条・信念を守り，親しい人と繋がりをもつことで，個性と社会関係による精神文化的な工夫をしていた．また，対処行動と環境を調整することは動作や技能による工夫，備蓄することは一人暮らしの安心を得るための工夫であった．作業療法の家事支援では，動作や技能面に多くの視点が置かれてきたが，要介護状態の一人暮らし高齢者にとっては，個性や社会関係への考慮，安心の生活基盤づくりにも留意する必要があると考えられた．

　Using semi-structured interviews, this study explores solutions for improving the living standards for certified Long-Term Care elderly people living alone, focusing on household tasks. The subjects of the study were 6 females and 4 males aged 65 to 91 years old who were using home-visit care services. The data gathered from the study was analyzed using the KJ method, and 8 concepts were identified. These 8 concepts were made up of the following essential elements: “having decision making ability”, “having one's own way of doing things” and “maintaining relationships with close friends and family”. These 3 elements allow the person to perform household work in a way that is individual to their personal beliefs according to their personality and social relationships. The element “coping and adapting to environment” is used in various real life situations as a skill, and “to get relief for living alone” is a feeling of security derived from maintaining daily necessities. As a result of this study, it seems that health care professionals should approach occupational therapy taking into account not only the movement and skill, but also the clients' personalities and social relationships. The study indicates the importance of maintaining a feeling of security through finding a lifestyle infrastructure.