• 한국노년학
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.127-144
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to compare the perceptions of loneliness, death anxiety, and social capital among older adults living in urban and rural communities and to examine the moderating effects of social capital on the relationship between loneliness and death anxiety. Utilizing the survey data collected by the Aging Society and Social Capital Research Center in 2018, we analyzed 839 older adults living in urban areas and 322 rural older adults living in rural areas. We used descriptive statistics, results from t-tests, and χ² tests to compare the rates of loneliness, social capital, and death anxiety perceived by older adults across urban and rural areas. The moderating effects of social capital on the relationship between loneliness and death anxiety were tested by logistic regression analyses for each group of urban and rural older adults. Compared to older adults living in rural areas, a greater number of older adults in urban areas reported death anxiety and higher levels of loneliness. However, the perceived levels of social capital were higher among rural older adults. The moderating effects of social capital on the relationship between loneliness and death anxiety were not found among older adults living in urban area, but, for older adults living in rural areas, social capital including social cohesion and social support moderated the relationship between loneliness and death anxiety. The results of this study suggest that regional differences shown in the perceptions of loneliness, death anxiety, and social capital should be addressed, when considering extensions of social capital and related interventions to deal with loneliness and death anxiety among older adults.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.480-488
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• 2002

This study was performed to document the association between obesity, a major risk factor for chronic diseases, and dietary pattern in Korean elderly. The subjects were 595 men and women aged 60-89 years. The subjects were classified into 4 groups based on BMI: under weight, BMI < 18.5, normal weight, 18.5 $\leq$ BMI 22.9; overweight, 23.0 BMI 24.9; and obese BMI $\geq$ 25.0. Dietary intakes by 24-hr recall, blood pressure, anthropometric parameters and health eating index (HEI) were measured. Underweight group was excluded for data analysis doe to small number of subjects, and age-adjusted measurements were compared among normal, overweight and obese groups. The mean anthropometric values for males and females were 23.7 and 24.8 kg/$m^2$ for BMI, 0.90 and 0.86 for WHR and 140.7 and 138.8 mmHg for SBP, respectively. The mean intakes of energy, Ca, vitamin A, vitamin B$_2$, and vitamin E did not meet Korean RDA for elderly. Intakes of fat and cholesterol were low: the percent energy from fat for male and female subjects were 19.1% and 18.1% and mean cholesterol intakes were 208 mg and 152 mg, respectively. Judging by HEI score, dietary quality was better in females than in male subjects. The mean BMI of normal, over and obese groups were 21.4, 23.9, 26.7 kg/$m^2$ in male subjects and 21.6, 23.9, 27.1 kg/$m^2$ in female subjects. WHR, SBP and TSF were increased with increasing BMI No association was found between BMI and nutrient intakes and/or food consumption pattern. However, a tendency was shown that the overweight group reported higher intakes in most nutrients compared to normal and obese groups. This study implies that with increasing BMI, anthropometric risk factors, such as WHR, TSF, and blood pressure were Increased, however, no significant differences were found in nutrient intakes and food patterns. Energy and fat intakes do not seem to be a cause for obesity in Korean elderly.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.786-800
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• 2021

The subjects of this study were 463 people aged 65 and older in the senior welfare center in Seoul and Gyeonggi. The purpose of the study is to analyze the differences between physical fitness factors and cognitive functions, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and psychological variables in the participation of the elderly in physical activities. Data ware analyzed by frequency analysis, reliability analysis, independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation analysis, with SPSS 25.0 statistics program. The results of this study are as follows. First, there are statistically significant differences in physical fitness, cognitive function, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and psychological factors such as depression and quality of life, depending on whether the elderly participate in physical activity. There were statistically significant differences in physical fitness, cognitive function, ADL, IADL, depression and quality of life, depending on the frequency of participation of older people in physical activity. A statistically significant difference in physical fitness appeared depending on the participation time of the elderly who participated in physical activity. Second, a study of the correlation between physical fitness and cognitive function, ADL, IADL, depression, and quality of life revealed a correlation for most factors. Based on these research results, it is necessary to develop a systematic arbitration strategy including physical activity for the successful aging of the elderly and the independent life of old age.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.341-351
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• 2019

This study examines factors related to the safety of housing for elderly people. Because of the diverse problems that may occur due to aging, elderly residents may have special needs related to housing. To identify relevant factors, first, focus group interviews were conducted with six individuals aged 65 or older. Then, a Delphi survey was conducted on experts; this survey consisted of a questionnaire on factors related to the safety of housing for elderly people. Issues to address in the questionnaire were identified in the focus group interviews and also through an examination of literature published domestically and overseas. In the Delphi survey, opinions were collected from the experts; these opinions were then revised, collated, and analyzed. The factors identified in these steps were verified using a content validity index. As a result, a total of seven primary factors - outdoor environment, entrance, indoor environment, living room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, and restroom - and 23 sub-factors related to elderly people's housing safety were identified. The most frequently mentioned factors were indoor and outdoor stairs, safe flooring materials, and indoor thresholds. It is essential to identify the factors that most affect the safety of elderly people in their residences.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.1261-1275
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• 2009

Age related decrease of muscle strength, balance, and gait abilities bring about physical inactivity in the elderly. Virtual reality (VR) training has been used successfully to rehabilitate functional balance and mobility in elderly subjects. This study was aimed at determining the effect of VR-based exercise programs by using a video game on the muscle strength, balance, and gait abilities in the elderly. 48 old people were randomly divided into two groups; VR-group (men: 11, women: 14, age: 68.42yrs) and control group (men: 10, women: 13, age: 67.58yrs). VR-group performed an exercise program twice a week for 8 weeks and control group had no intervention. The VR-based exercise program was composed of warm up(10 mins), VR-program(40 mins), and cool down(10mins). It was performed by playstation eyetoy play that provided visual and auditory feedback as well as movements of the upper and lower extremities. Muscle strengths of the knee and ankle were measured using manual muscle tester. Static balance was estimated using computerized posturography. Dynamic balance was measured by Timed up and go test (TUG), Functional reach test (FRT). 10m walk test and 6-min walk test were used to assess gait abilities. After the completion of the VR-exercise program, muscle strength, balance, and gait abilities were improved significantly (p<0.05). In conclusion, the VR-based exercise program showed improvement on the muscle strength, balance, and gait ability in the elderly. This exercise program is both effective and interesting for this age group.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.595-615
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• 2015

This study aims to develop well-being enhancement program for the female elderly living alone, and examine its effects. The program was structured by exploring the meaning of life and happiness with focused on self-disclosure, dealing with regret and resentment, forgiveness, gratitude, and resilience. At first, pilot program was applied to 6 female elderly living alone for predicting the effects and modified the program. For verification of the program effect, 11 female elderly living alone were assigned to developed well-being enhancement program, also 11 female elderly living alone were assigned to comparison group who participate in activity-focused program, and 12 female elderly living alone were assigned to control group. Results indicated that regret for interpersonal relations and resentment of the female elderly living alone who participate in well-being enhancement program were reduced after participating the program, while their self-disclosure increased. The female elderly living alone who participate in well-being enhancement program showed lowered level of anxiety, loneliness, and awareness of aging, which were factors of well-bing in senescence. Moreover, their level of negative emotion was decreased, and life satisfaction, positive emotion, and happiness were increased after participating the program. But, all of those enhancement were not found in control group as well as comparison group. These results suggest that well-being enhancement program for the female elderly living alone developed in this study could be utilized in various settings.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.111-122
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• 2023

Objective : To identify the effect of lifestyle risk factors on the daily activities and cognition of the older adults in the community using the National Health Insurance Corporation 2015 geriatric cohort database. Methods : Lifestyle risk factors were defined as body mass index (BMI), smoking, drinking, vigorous exercise, moderate exercise, and walking, and basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL) and cognitive function variables were included in the analysis. ADL and cognitive function according to sex and age were analyzed using a t-test and one-way ANOVA. The correlation between lifestyle risk factors, ADL, and cognitive function was analyzed using Pearson's correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis was performed to analyze their influence. Results : The factors affecting basic ADL (BADL) were sex and walking exercises, with an explanatory power of 1.7%. Instrumental ADL (IADL) included age, drinking, and walking exercises, with an explanatory power of 2.6%. Cognitive function included sex, age, BMI, vigorous exercise, and walking, with an explanatory power of 5.3%. Conclusion : Lifestyle risk factors partially affected BADLs/IADLs and cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults. This suggests the need to systematically manage lifestyle risk factors to improve and maintain the healthy lives of older adults facing biological aging.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2005

Objectives: Much attention has been paid to sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) in the elderly because of its high prevalence. It is expected that SAS in the elderly has both similarities and differences compared to SAS in the young or middle-aged populations. The aim of this study was to elucidate the characteristics and consequences of SAS in the elderly. Methods: In this study we included 210 young or middle-aged adults between 23 and 59 years (20 women and 190 men) and 65 older adults between 60 and 83 years of age (16 women and 49 men). Respiratory disturbance indices (RDIs) of the study subjects were more than 5 in an overnight polysomnography. They completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Informations about body mass index (BMI), neck, waist, and hip measurements, and blood pressure were obtained. Results: No difference was observed between older adults with SAS (older SAS) and adults aged under 60 with SAS (SAS aged under 60) in RDI, apnea index, % time of oxygen saturation less than 90%, and PSQI. Obstructive apnea index and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) were lower in older SAS. Compared to SAS aged under 60, lowest oxygen saturation and central apnea index were higher in older SAS, but they were statistically not significant. BMI and neck circumference were significantly lower in older SAS compared to SAS aged under 60. Diastolic blood pressure was lower in older SAS compared to SAS aged under 60 with no difference in systolic blood pressure. Older SAS showed lower scores in ESS than SAS aged under 60. Significant correlation was observed between RDI and BMI in SAS aged under 60, but not in the case of older SAS. The relationships between RDI and neck circumference, systolic and diastolic pressure, and ESS were similar. Conclusions: The elderly with SAS were not over-weight and there was no relationship between body weight and the severity of SAS. Also, the behavioral and cardiovascular effects of SAS were not marked in the elderly, which might be partly explained by decreased ODI and relatively higher lowest oxygen saturation in older SAS. The normal aging process, aside from increased body weight, might contribute to the development of SAS in the elderly with modest complications.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.229-234
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• 2017

For elderly individuals with swallowing difficulties, texture-modified food containing thickeners is needed. The plant materials freeze-dried yam, lotus root, and artichoke were evaluated for their potential use as thickeners and compared to a commercial thickener (corresponding to 0.5, 1, or 2 bag viscosity, respectively). Yam powder showed a high peak viscosity, corresponding to that of rice starch. Although artichoke showed no pasting viscosity, it may be useful as a thickener when combined with xanthan gum. The certain amount of yam, lotus root, and artichoke powders added to commercial soup showed similar viscosities as the addition of 0.5 or 1 bag commercial thickener at $60^{\circ}C$. However, sufficient viscosity corresponding to that of 2 bags of commercial thickener was not achieved by using the plant material itself. Sensory tests by elderly subjects revealed that the soup with yam powder was preferred compared to soup made with other materials.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.161-168
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• 1997

The measurement of many biochemical changes that could be appeared as aging will be resulted in the very useful and basal marker to maintain healthy life and to predict the health condition and the retardation of the aging. We classified the geriatrics into the normal and same aged dementia on the based of clinical diagnostic as well as MMSE evaluation. And then we were collected blood samples from both groups and examined 13 biochemical assays to screen any valuable biochemical index for dementia. Among 13 assays, several assay data showed the statistically significant differences between two groups. The values of serum albumin, APase, and GOT were significantly decreased in demented group compared to control. On the other hand, the values of glucose and LDH were increased in dementia compared to control. Additionally, the value of Pi was increased but the values of calcium and GPT were decreased, without significant difference (p＞0.05). The values of other assays such as bilirubin, BUN, cholesterol, creatinine and total protein did not show any statistically significant differences. Conclusively it may be suggested that dementia might be resulted in the variable biochemical changes which could be affected by many environmental factors as well as dementia itself.