The revised index for social engagement (RISE) in long-term care facilities: reliability and validity in Japan

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Social Sciences
• Healthcare Research

Background:

• Social engagement is crucial for older adults' well-being in long-term care.
• Assessing social engagement accurately is vital for improving care quality in Japanese long-term care facilities (LTCF).

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish the validity and reliability of a revised index for social engagement (RISE) within the Japanese long-term care setting.
• To adapt and validate the RISE for use with older adults residing in Japanese health facilities and nursing homes.

Main Methods:

• Data from 1377 residents aged over 65 in Japanese LTCFs were analyzed.
• The Revised Index for Social Engagement (RISE) was calculated using six dichotomous items from the interRAI assessment.
• Factorial, convergent, and discriminant validity were assessed using various statistical analyses, including exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and Cronbach's alpha was used for internal consistency.

Main Results:

• Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a two-factor model for the RISE.
• Convergent validity was supported by a correlation of r=0.45 between activity time and RISE scores.
• Discriminant validity was supported by a correlation of r=-0.32 between cognitive function and RISE scores, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.70-0.72.

Conclusions:

• The Revised Index for Social Engagement (RISE) demonstrates reliability and validity for assessing social engagement in Japanese LTCFs.
• The Japanese version of RISE can effectively measure social functioning, contributing to evidence-based improvements in care quality for older adults.
• While further refinement for factorial validity may be beneficial, RISE is a valuable tool for geriatric care in Japan.