I f seniors become healthier, the world will undoubtedly become a brighter place. Frailty, a condition characterized by a decline in physical and mental functions, is on the rise. Early detection of frailty can prevent it from becoming a serious condition, such as requiring nursing care. Frailty can be broadly divided into three types: “physical frailty,” characterized by a decline in physical function; “cognitive frailty,” characterized by a decline in cognitive ability; and “social frailty,” characterized by reduced opportunities to go out and social isolation. It has been found that social frailty often leads to the progression to the other two types of frailty. As seniors become more active and have more contact with others, their risk of lifestyle-related diseases and the need for nursing care decreases.
Happiness research is now being conducted from the perspective of “social frailty.” A research team including Keio University conducted animal experiments on oxytocin (the happiness hormone) using mice. Sibling mice born to the same mother were housed either singly or in groups of four or five and observed for 12 weeks. The mice housed alone exhibited lower levels of oxytocin compared to the group-housed mice. This experiment revealed that social isolation reduced the “happiness hormone” secreted by the hypothalamus in the brain. In a sense, the group of mice that enjoyed social interaction enjoyed a happier environment. Furthermore, isolation was also found to have physical effects. Mice housed alone had reduced levels of oxytocin, which led to abnormal lipid metabolism in the liver and accelerated arteriosclerosis. Clinical studies in humans have also reported that loneliness increases the incidence of myocardial infarction.
It would be ideal for seniors to interact with others, and for this to include exercise. Exercise not only builds muscle in the legs and hips and prevents various diseases, but is also an important factor in preventing isolation. An ideal exercise activity combines the three elements of “physical activity,” “mental activity,” and “interaction with others.” Currently, technology for understanding the state of frailty is advancing. People who have become frail tend to spend less time outdoors due to a decline in their physical and mental activity. As their physical and mental activity declines, they tend to spend less time outdoors. A characteristic of their behavior is that the fluctuation range of electricity usage tends to decrease as they go out and become more active. This electricity usage and the resident’s activity level can be used to analyze whether they are frail. Some local governments conduct individual visits based on the results of this analysis and past frailty scores. Improving frailty, which includes “physical frailty,” “cognitive frailty,” and “social frailty,” and promoting health is a current challenge.
