• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.303-315
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• 2019

In 2018, 14.3 percent of South Korea's elderly population aged 65 or older entered an aged society and is expected to enter a super-aged society with more than 20 percent of the elderly population around 2025. Older adults often visit different medical institutions to take medicine, which requires medication management, such as interaction between each drug. In this study, we wanted to analyze the U.S. system, which specializes in drug management for the elderly, and Korea's system, which is about to enter a super-aged society, to find a systematic way to manage drugs for the elderly. The method of study was a systematic literature study on elderly drug management in Korea and the United States. Studies have shown that the United States has enacted the Medication Therapy Management (MTM) for the elderly and has been running the Senior Drug Enforcement Program. In Korea, a community care business is underway to manage drugs for senior citizens, but it is analyzed that the elderly need to have a special medicine system for senior citizens to use them more safely.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.493-499
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• 2007

Purpose: This study focused on identifying health promotion behavior of older adults, and factors affecting this behavior. Method: The participants in this survey analysis were Koreans aged 65 or over who had the ability to communicate and could do cognitive thinking, and who consented to participate in the survey. The survey questionnaire included items on demographic characteristics, level of depression, social support, activities of daily living, self-efficacy, and health promotion behavior. Data were analyzed using the SPSS Windows 14.0 program. Results: There were significant differences in health promotion behavior according to religion, economy and health status. Levels of depression, social support and self-efficacy had strong correlations with health promotion behavior. The factors that had the greatest effect on health promotion behavior were social support and self-efficacy. Conclusion: As social support and self-efficacy have been found to affect health promotion behavior in older adults, programs developed to enhance health of older adults should include activities to enhance both social support and self-efficacy.

• 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.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.117-124
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• 2022

Objectives: It is crucial to detect and prevent oral problems early. Older adults, in particular, should go for regular dental checkups to maintain a healthy oral environment. This study identified the factors affecting regular dental examinations and unmet dental needs in older adults. Methods: This study analyzed 3,362 older adults aged 65 or over using the data from the 7th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Frequency analysis was performed on general characteristics. In addition, chi-square tests were done to determine differences in regular dental checkups and unmet dental needs according to general characteristics. Logistic regression analysis was performed on factors influencing regular dental checkups and unmet dental needs. Results: Factors influencing regular dental checkups were statistically significant according to residential areas, level of education, household income, and levels of physical activity (p<0.05). Factors influencing unmet dental needs were statistically significant according to residential areas, level of education, private medical insurance, and levels of dental pain (p<0.05). Conclusions: National level policy strategies should be implemented to improve the oral health of older adults. These strategies should encourage regular dental checkups to effectively lower the rate of unmet dental needs.

• 한국노년학
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.109-125
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• 2019

This study examined factors that prevent older adults from using computers and/or smartphones for their health information search and health management. This study conducted face-to-face survey of a total of 240 older adults aged over 65. Based on the responses of open-ended questions, this study conducted semantic network analysis. The results showed that low level of perceived usefulness(PU) (e.g., information I want to find, detailed information, and trustworthiness) and perceived ease of use(PEOU) (e.g., how to search for information, how to install applications, and visibility) are main factors that prevent older adults from using computers and/or smartphones for their health information search and health management. Furthermore, based on the results of semantic network analysis, further hierarchical regression analysis confirmed that PU and PEOU were positively associated with intention to use mobile application. Thus, the results imply that increasing older adults' PU and PEOU can promote their intention to use mobile application.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.89-108
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors influencing life satisfaction in widowhood among older females. Using the sixth Korean Retirement and Income Study (KReIS) supplementary survey data, a total sample of 1,471 women aged 65 or older whose spouse had died were selected, divided into 508 young-old (65-74), 745 middle-old (75-84), and 218 oldest-old (85+). Then, factors influencing the life satisfaction of these three groups were analyzed, based on a combination of perceived health and interpersonal satisfaction levels. It was found that among the young-old group, a higher level of subjective health perception indicated by monthly income and material support and interpersonal satisfaction linked to more frequent participation in community gathering combined for an overall higher level of life satisfaction. For the middle-old group, higher life satisfaction was provided by monthly income, informational support, and material support for subjective health perception and no diseases for interpersonal satisfaction. The oldest-old group with higher life satisfaction referred to monthly income for subjective health perception and no experience in donation activities for interpersonal satisfaction. Based on these findings, this study provides implications for policy and practice to improve the life satisfaction of elderly women who have experienced their spouse's death.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.4
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• pp.307-314
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• 2011

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of death and disability worldwide and one of the most prevalent diseases in Korea. We examined trends and risk factors of health care utilization for COPD in Korea. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the database of Patient Surveys from 1990 through 2008, which were nationwide surveys of health services utilization through outpatient department (OPD) visits and hospitalization. Physician-diagnosed COPD patients whose ages were 45 years and older were included. Results: OPD visits and hospitalization of COPD patients between 1990 and 2008 were estimated to be 68,552 and 17,774 persons, respectively. Trends in OPD visits and hospitalization for COPD significantly increased from 1990 through 2008 (p=0.019, p=0.001, respectively). The increment rate for OPD visits was 2.0 fold over those years; for hospitalization it was 3.3 fold. Risk factors for OPD visits for COPD were male gender (odd ration [OR], 1.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39~1.43), those aged 65 years and older (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.47~1.53), residential area other than a metropolis (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.07~1.010) and access to a physician's office (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.14~1.21). Risk factors for hospitalization were male gender (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 2.07~2.23), those aged 65 year and older (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 2.72~3.00), residential area other than a metropolis (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.90~2.07) and access to a hospital (OR, 2.88; 95% CI, 2.59~3.22) (p<0.001, both). Conclusion: Health care utilization for COPD subjects increased from 1990 to 2008. Risk factors for the utilization were male gender, older age, and residential area other than a metropolis.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.799-812
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to construct and test a predictive model that explains and predicts the quality of life in older men living alone. Methods: A self-report questionnaire was used to collect data from 334 older adult men living along aged 65 years or over living in Jeollanam-do provinces. The endogenous variables were depression, self-rated health, instrumental activity of daily life, health promotion behaviors, the number of social participation activities and quality of life. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 21.0 programs. Results: The final model with 14 of the 8 analysed paths showed a good fit to the empirical data: χ2 = 173.26(p < .001, df = 53), normed χ2 = 3.27, GFI = .92, NFI = .90, CFI = .93, TLI = .89, RMSEA = .08 and SRMR = .06. Activities had direct effect on quality of life of older men living alone and social support had both direct and indirect effects. Meanwhile, function and socioeconomic status showed only indirect effects. The variables included in the eight significant paths explained 83.7% of variance in the prediction model. Conclusion: Instrumental activities of daily living and social support effect directly on quality of life in the older men living alone. Findings suggest that health care providers including community nurses need to provide social support as well as empowerment programs of instrumental activities of daily living and health promotion for improving quality of life of the older men living alone.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.185-196
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• 2021

Objective: Falling is one of main accident to facilitate the physical injuries in order adults. The purpose of the systematic review was to determine the effects of postural balance training whether the recovery of falls in elderly with normal physical function or not throughout summing the selected studies quantitatively. Design: A systematic review Methods: MEDLINE and other four databases were searched up to April 20, 2021 and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating postural balance approaches on fall risks in elderly. The researched studies excluded the double studies, titles and abstract, and finally full-reported study. The selected RCTs studies were extracted characteristics of the studies and summary of results based on PICOS-SD (population, intervention, comparison, outcomes, and setting- study design) model to synthesize the papers qualitatively. Results: The review involved 22 RCT reports with 4,847 community older adults aged 65 years or over. Nineteen of the selected RCT studies reported dual or multimodal exercises show the beneficial effect for older adults compared to one-type treatment or no intervention. All of selected showed low risk in the selection, attrition, and reporting bias. However, detection bias showed low risk at 75% records of the involved RCTs and performance bias was low risk at only three records. Conclusions: The results of the systematic review propose that a standardized therapeutic approach and the intensity are needed for improving risk of falls in older adults.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.333-344
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was done to identify differences in health habits, perceived stress, depression, and suicidal thinking by gender for elderly people who are living alone and elderly people who are living with others. Method: The study participants were 4,051 people aged 65 years and over who were surveyed in the Third Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2005. The relationship among outcomes and living arrangement by gender in elders was assessed using multiple logistic regression while controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Older men living alone were less likely to have breakfast and more likely to perceive stress and think of suicide than older men living with family or others. On the other hand, older women who live alone were less likely to perceive stress than older women who live with others. Age, educational level, income, and number of diseases were significantly associated with each individual outcome. Conclusion: This study showed that living alone has a significant impact on physical health habits and psychological health of elderly people, especially for older men. Therefore, living arrangement should be considered in developing a health promotion program for elders as well as age, gender, education, and income.