Division of Basic Medical Research Research and Development Grants for Longevity Science

Japan expects an increasing number of elderly population while working-age population will be decreasing at the same time. The changes in the household structure are also significant, with an increasing number of older adults living alone. Adequate medical and long-term care supports are necessary for the elderly who experience aging and geriatric problems to live reflecting their preferred lifestyles. With shortages in health care labor supply expected in the future, provision of efficient and effective medical and long-term care is necessary. Also, prevention of onset of conditions that requires long-term care is important. Therefore, development of convenient self-performed preventive approaches and methods to prevent worsening of health problems is needed.

1. To develop preventive methods that can contribute to healthy longevity, focusing on diseases and conditions that are peculiar to older adults (e.g. frailty and sarcopenia)
2. To develop care methods and evaluation methods that can contribute to maintenance and improvement of quality of life for older adults with care needs due to lowered physical function and chronic health problems.
3. To promote research and development that can contribute to universal provision of effective medical and long-term care services.
4. To promote research and development directly relevant to the lives of older adults, and to promote social implementation of research and development outcomes.