"GO" to move toward dementia-friendly communities: A pilot study.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Cognitive Science
• Social Psychology

Background:

• Mutual aid is crucial for aging societies, especially for individuals with cognitive decline.
• Social isolation and reduced societal roles are significant challenges for older adults.
• The GO Program was designed to address these issues by fostering intergenerational support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and assess the feasibility of the GO Program.
• To examine the program's impact on social isolation, mental health, and cognitive function.
• To create opportunities for older adults with cognitive decline to engage socially and utilize their skills.

Main Methods:

• A single-arm intervention study conducted in Tokyo, Japan.
• 12 weekly one-hour GO classes pairing experienced players (supporters) with beginners (cognitive decline).
• Feasibility, mental health, social network, and cognitive function were assessed.

Main Results:

• High program satisfaction (99.1% attendance, no dropouts).
• Supporters showed significant improvement in Mini Mental State Examination-Japanese scores (p < .05).
• No significant changes were observed in beginners' measurements, though initial scores indicated mild cognitive impairment.

Conclusions:

• The GO Program facilitates mutual aid among older adults, including those with mild cognitive decline.
• It enables older adults to maintain active societal roles, potentially improving cognitive function.
• The program demonstrates feasibility and positive outcomes for supporter participants.