BACKGROUND: Examining the nature of help seeking and related factors among community-dwelling older adults is important to address social problems, such as loneliness and consumer damage. This study aimed to clarify factors related to the help-seeking preferences of community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted among men and women aged 65 or older in Tokyo, in 2021. Overall, 5,576 respondents agreed to provide personal information. The survey items included a shortened version of the Help-seeking Preference Scale and measures to evaluate basic attributes, physical and mental health, and social relationships, which were predicted to be associated with help-seeking preferences. Multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the participants' desire for and resistance to help. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis revealed significant associations between high desire for help and being female, poor financial status, living alone, low subjective health, subjective forgetfulness, low mental health, low frequency of going out, high trust in community, and lack of social support. Significant associations were also found between high resistance to help and old age, low education level, difficult financial status, low mental health, social isolation, and low trust in the community. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults who are struggling with mental health may have a high desire for help but also a high level of resistance to help, which may discourage them from requesting assistance. This suggests the importance of professionals' outreach. Further, the results indicate the importance of fostering social capital in the community.