• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.454-462
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to explore the lonely-death phenomenon and to understand the circumstances surrounding the lonely-death cases among elderly people by examining the articles on such phenomenon and the media reports of such cases. The cases of lonely death reported from 2007 to 2017 were used. Case analysis was conducted, and the news articles that described the lonely death cases were identified using an internet search engine. Forty seven cases were analyzed. Several risk factors emerged from the data obtained, such as economic hardship, chronic illness, mental health problems like alcohol addiction, social isolation, disconnection from family members or the neighborhood, unemployment, single household, unmarried or divorced status, and living in an urban area. Based on the findings, prevention strategies were addressed.

• 한국노년학
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.667-683
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• 2018

This study reviews advances in research made during the last decade in studies of aging families in Korea. Specifically, we provide a critical review of the theoretical directions and empirical findings of 87 research articles focused on aging families published in the Journal of the Korean Gerontological Society between 2008 and 2017. Topics and issues covered include: (a) diversity in family structures and households, (b) intergenerational relations, (c) intimate relations, and (d) family problems in later life. We found that while research applying theories and employing advanced methodologies has increased, embracing more diverse theories and ensuring nationally representative panel data from multi-reporters within families will enhance future research in aging and families. The authors conclude that more multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches are needed in the field of family studies and gerontology in Korea.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.467-479
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to understand the effects of housing economic and regional characteristics on the ife satisfaction and the self-esteem of the elderly and how their self-esteem mediates the effects of housing economic and regional characteristics on their life satisfaction. The main results of the study are as follows. First, housing economic characteristics such as housing prices, occupancy area per resident, and ratio of utility cost to total living costs had a significant effect on the elderly's life satisfaction and self-esteem, and the elderly's self-esteem mediated the effect of the economic characteristics of housing on the life satisfaction of the elderly. Second, residential area, a regional characteristic of housing, had a significant effect on the life satisfaction and self-esteem of the elderly, and the self-esteem of the elderly mediated the effect of the residential area on the life satisfaction. Thus, because elderly housing welfare policies related to housing economic and regional characteristics affect the elderly's life satisfaction, a psychological welfare, through a mediating effect of the elderly's self-esteem.

• 한국노년학
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.511-530
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• 2020

The present study aimed to examine the moderating effects of marital satisfaction (MS) on the association between the number of chronic disease (CD) and depressive symptoms (DS) among ol der men and women. The 6th wave of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing was utilized and the sample was married men (N=585) and women (N=460) aged 65 and over. Multiple regression analysis using SPSS WIN 25.0 and Process Macro was used to test moderating effects of MS. Control variables were age, education, household income, parent-child relationship satisfaction, self-rated health, cognitive function, current smoking status and CD of spouse. Resul ts from elderly men showed the moderating effect of MS was significant. Specifically, those with more CD were more likely to report higher level of DS in the low MS group. However, the effect of CD on DS was not significant in the high MS group. Results from elderly women showed the moderating effect of MS was not significant. This study showed the moderating effect of MS on the association between CD and DS differed by gender in later life. It suggests practical intervention to utilize the resources of spouses is in need to promote mentally healthy aging even though having chronically ill in later life.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.97-103
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to exploratively examine factors affecting walking at night anxiety among the elderly. Study sample for the analyses was 9,120 persons aged over 65. Factors affecting walking at night anxiety among the elderly were composed of sociodemographic factors, health-related factors, and social perception factors. Sociodemographic factors include gender, age, region, education, having or not having a spouse, household income. Health-related factors include walking ability, vision, subjective health status, cognitive function. Social perception factors include perception about other's compliance with laws and perception about safety from crime. The main results of the analyses are as follows. Among sociodemographic factors, factors that had significant effects on walking at night anxiety among the elderly were gender, age, region, education. Among health-related factors, factors that had significant effects on walking at night anxiety among the elderly were walking ability, vision, subjective health status, cognitive function. Among social perception factors, factors that had significant effects on walking at night anxiety among the elderly were perception about other's compliance with laws and perception about safety from crime. Results of this study show that there is a need for multiple methods to make safe and comfort walking environment for the elderly.

• The Korean Journal of Applied Statistics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.741-762
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• 2015

This study examines the long-term prospects for a minimum living guarantee by public pensions for the elderly using a dynamic micro-simulation model. "Elderly poverty" here is an estimate calculated by considering only the public pension income and it means how public pension affects the minimum living guarantee for the elderly. The main results are: First the impact of the public pension system on elderly poverty can be decomposed into economic growth and institutional effect. When considering both effects, the absolute poverty rate of the elderly will be reduced to 20% by the year 2040. But when considering the institutional effect(except economic growth effect), that rate is expected to be a long-term level of around 90%. Second, even if the Basic Pension is indexed to 10% of A-value, the elderly poverty rate is only about 10%p to be reduced further, compared to the current CPI-indexed system. Third, current benefit formula for National Pension does not consider the actual correlation of income level and insured period; consequently, the reversal possibility of the replacement rate appears likely. Fourth, the reform of 2007 improves the sustainability of the National Pension; however, it deteriorates the adequacy of the pension policy, i.e., the past system would be better than the current system in regards to a reduction in elderly poverty. Further discussion is needed on aspects of correct pension reform assessments which is difficult to achieve without understanding the comprehensive benefits and costs to society.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.96-103
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• 2015

This study investigates the socio-economic and clinical characteristics associated with emergency medical transport use by the elderly based on 2008~2011 Korea Health Panel data. A model of emergency medical transport use was analyzed, and the results indicate that use of 119 ambulances and private ambulances by the elderly accounted for 46.8% of all users, and 35.1% of their emergency room visits. Statistically significant factors associated with emergency medical transport use were gender (OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.51-3.17), relationship to household (OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.45-3.32), insurance type (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.10-1.82), handicap (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.14-1.83), reason for emergency department visits (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.20-1.97), and treatment after emergency medical service completed (OR = 3.45, 95% CI = 2.80-4.25). The increased elderly population in an aging society will lead to a surge in demand for emergency patient transport services, and emergency medical services that are tailored to the elderly need to be developed accordingly.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.67-98
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• 1997

This study examines multi-level factors geographic proximities between elderly parents and their children in the United States and Japan. Despite their similar economies, the United States and Japan show a significant difference in their patterns of generational proximity. In 1993, half of US non-Hisapnic white parents aged 70 or over lived separately but within 10 miles of their nearest children and a majority of them lived far from their non-nearest children. The family geographic network for Japanese elderly parents is more hierarchial. In 1989, 74 percent of Japanese parents aged 70 and over lived with their nearest children but most of them lived far from their non-nearest children. To explain this distinctive pattern of inter- and intra-family differences in generational proximities in the two societies, this study employs a multi-level analysis which compares the relative importance of life course conditions of elderly parents and their children and economic and ecological characteristics of elderly parent's places of residence in influencing generational proximities.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.280-294
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of social capital characteristics, socio-demographic characteristics, physical condition, and health behavior characteristics on health-related quality of life of the elderly in Korea. Methods: T-test, one-way ANOVA, and regression analysis were performed by applying a complex sample design to 57.787 people aged 65 and over using the 2019 Community Health Survey. Results: First, as a result of complex-sample T-test and ANOVA analysis, it was found that there were differences in health-related quality of life according to social capital characteristics, physical condition & health behavior characteristics, and socio-demographic characteristics. Complex Sample Regression Analysis Results, the explanatory power of the model was 28%. When living in the metropolitan area, living in an apartment building, having a spouse, having a higher household income, economic activity, higher educational attainment, increase sleeping time, walking time, frequent binge drinking, health checkup, networking, trust, and social participation showed higher health-related quality of life. When people were older, their gender was female, higher BMI, number of chronic diseases, and severe stress that showed lower health-related quality of life. Conclusions: It was proved that the factors affecting the health-related quality of life of the elderly are not only physical condition and health behavior factors, but also social capital and socio-demographic characteristics. It was found that the role as a member was important.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.171-182
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• 2009

This study was performed to investigate socioeconomic factors relating to obesity and inadequate nutrient intake in women in low income families residing in Seoul. The subjects were 125 women (aged 41-87 y) recruited from the local health center for free health examination for low income families. The socioeconomic status such as educational level, income level, and housing condition were poor. For subjects aged less than 65 years, the prevalence of obesity was 44% based on BMI (${\geq}\;25\;kg/m^2$), 48% based on WHR (${\geq}\;0.85$), and 50% based on waist circumference (${\geq}\;80\;cm$) and for those more than 65 years, these were greater and 57%, 81%, and 79%, respectively. The main food sources of daily diet were vegetables, grains, and fruits. Energy and other nutrient intake was not adequate for all subjects and the inadequacy was more profound in the elderly, showing percentages of subjects whose intake was less than EAR were greater than 50% for all nutrients except for iron and below RI were also greater than 50% for all nutrients. The prevalence of obesity and nutrient inadequacy were not associated with socioeconomic status in subjects aged less than 65 years, however, obesity was associated with household income and nutrient inadequacy was related to education (vitamin A) and housing status (protein, phosphate, and iron) in the elderly. After adjustment for ages, in the elderly, OR for obesity (BMI ${\geq}$ 25, OR = 12.601; 95% CI = 2.338-67.911) and central obesity (WC ${\geq}$ 80 cm, OR = 4.778; 95% CI = 1.103-20.696) were greater in subjects who earned less than 500 thousand Won per month than who earned more. For inadequate nutrient intake, the OR for inadequate intake of Vitamin A (OR = 4.555; 95% CI = 1.491-13.914) was greater in subjects with no education than those educated. Subjects without her own house had greater risk for inadequate intake for protein (OR = 3.660; 95% CI = 1.118-11.981), phosphate (OR = 3.428; 95% CI = 1.157-10.158), and iron (OR = 3.765; 95% CI = 1.205-11.766) than subjects possessing her house. In elderly females in low income families, the socioeconomic status was associated with the risk for obesity (income level) and inadequate nutrient intake (education level and housing status). More attention on these groups should be given for prevention of obesity and inadequate nutrient intake.