3. DISCUSSION
The construction of housing complexes for the elderly after the earthquake helped the city build strong social capital. Such communities had built-in mutual assistance and monitoring functions for the elderly which were traditionally provided by immediate families. This case exemplified that we can successfully prevent an elderly person from living an isolated life and a lonely death.
Toward the end of her life, her long-term friends living in the same area played a more critical role than her biological family. She was probably happy passing this way. We, health care workers, were able to fully respond to her wish; she wanted to live alone, did not want to feel lonely, and did not want to engage her family.
Some elderly people need connections with people who come from the same town, but not their own family. The government officers discovered this preference as they met with local residents for several meetings. They decided to build this public housing near their original community and ensured that residents came from this same community. Various support related to nagaya, low rent, watching by the manager, free outing bus, free lunch distribution, etc. support their independent living. On a daily basis, the residents share stories about their houses and the lands that were washed away by the tsunami. Such opportunities help them heal from the damage caused by the earthquake.[11] The same effects could not have been attained in nursing home facilities.
In the course of this research, it became clear that many more elderly individuals have started a new phase of life by choosing to live in the rowhouse with long-term friends and neighbors, rather than with their families. Today, building human connections is increasingly challenging as society undergoes aging, declining birthrates, and changes in family structures. The rowhouse project and its operation have helped people realize their new phase of life based on the philosophy of aging-in-place.
This case report is available to inform policy, practice, and research in elderly care, both domestically and internationally. Future research may more broadly explore the effects of rowhouse projects based on situations such as urban and rural areas, unaffected areas, and age groups of the elderly, while investigating cases of other older adults with diverse socioeconomic and medical conditions.