Participation in diverse activities at community gathering places and higher-level functional capacity among older adults: JAGES longitudinal study

BACKGROUND: Effective strategies must address functional decline among older adults resulting from aging and disease. We investigate the association between the number of different types of activities that older adults engaged in at community gathering places (CGPs) and their subsequent higher-level functional capacity in Japan. METHODS: We analyzed longitudinal data from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study, collected in 2016 and 2019 (n = 6064). The dependent variable was higher-level functional capacity in 2019. The primary exposures included participation in CGPs and the number of activity types in which participants engaged at those places in 2016. Adjusted linear regression models were performed. RESULTS: Engaging in multiple types of activities at CGPs showed a positive association with higher-level functional capacity at follow-up. Stratified analyses indicated that, among participants without baseline limitations, engaging in three or more types of activities correlated with significantly better functional outcomes. Among those with baseline limitations, participating in two types of activities was significantly linked to better higher-level functional capacity. CONCLUSIONS: Engaging in a greater variety of activities at CGPs was associated with improved subsequent higher-level functional capacity. These findings highlight the potential for municipal governments to enhance healthy aging by supporting diverse activity offerings at CGPs.