• 한국노년학
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.505-526
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• 2011

The purposes of this paper were to examine the level of knowledge of and attitudes toward the elderly and investigate the differences in the level of knowledge of and attitudes about the elderly by selected socio-demographic factors and aging related factors in Korea and the United States. The research subjects were 1129 college students attending 10 schools in Korea and the United States(840 Korean students in 5 schools, located in Seoul City, Gyeonggi-Do, Chungcheong-Do in Korea and 289 American students in 5 schools located in the State of New York of the United States). They were interviewed, using the structured questionnaire, and the data were analyzed by SPSS 15.0 for Windows. The research questionnaire was composed of Fact on Aging Quiz Part 1(FAQ 1) developed by Palmore(1998), Semantic Differential Scale development by Sanders et al., and several socio-demographic and aging related variables. The results indicated that, first, the level of knowledge of the elderly for Korean students was 12.51/25 and for American students was 11.57/25, resulting that the knowledge level of the elderly in Korea was higher than that of the United States. In addition, the results of students' knowledge differences between korea and the United States showed that Korean students showed high ratio of correct answer in 9 questions while American students showed high ratio of correct answer in only 4 questions, resulting that Korean students have higher knowledge than American students. Second, the level of attitudes toward the elderly for Korean students was 77.54 and for American students was 70.07 in 20-140 points, resulting that the attitude level of the elderly among American students were more positive than that of Korean students. The results of students' attitudes differences between Korea and the United States showed that Korean students responded positive tendency in only one question while American students responded positive tendencies in 14 questions, resulting that American students were more positive attitudes toward the elderly than that of Korean students. Third, there is a significant correlation between the knowledge of and attitudes toward the elderly in both Korean and American students. Based on these results, implications for policy, practice, and research were further discussed.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.51-65
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• 2012

This research was conducted to provide basic data for the formulation of marketing strategies suitable to the increasingly globalizing clothing market for the elderly in the fashion industry, by comparing the clothing behavior and preferences of elderly women aged over 70 years in Korea with those of women in the U.S. The 106 questionnaire responses that were collected in the U.S. and the 235 responses that were collected in Korea were used for the analysis, The major objectives of this study were as follow; 1. It was found that the elderly women of Korea utilize mostly human information as information source when purchasing clothing, whereas women of U.S. utilize mostly media information. Comfort was found to be most important factor both countries, but the Korean women considered the aesthetic aspect of clothing more important than did American women. 2. The clothing preference of Korean elderly women aged over 70 years was concentrated in young and feminine images regardless of items, so it could be seen that they had strong desire for looking young. But American elderly women showed different preference depending on items, so it could be seen that they pursue diverse images depending on clothing items and personality without concentrating in one image. The comparison of the preference style by item of elderly women over 70 years of age between Korea and the U,S. showed significant difference. Accordingly, the designs of the clothes of the Korean and American women should be differentiated and developed according to the clothes item and country.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.6685-6693
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• 2014

This study was designed to identify the relationships among powerlessness, self-esteem and depression in Korean-American immigrant elderly. The purpose was to provide baseline data for nursing intervention to improve their health. The results showed that depression was significantly correlated with self-esteem and powerlessness, self-esteem was also significantly correlated with powerlessness. Powerlessness was different from the level of education and health conditions. Self-esteem was significantly different to the frequency of family visits. Depression was significantly different from age. 50.0% of depression was explained by powerlessness and self-esteem. This suggests that a higher level of powerlessness and a lower level of self-esteem are associated with a higher the level of depression. In conclusion, to improve the psychological health of Korean-American immigrant elderly, it is crucial to consider age, the level of education and health conditions, and continually manage the levels of powerlessness and self-esteem.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.85-90
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• 2010

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between social support and quality of life (QOL) in elderly people and to examine potential cross-cultural differences. Methods: The author surveyed 82 elderly people, over the age of 65, residing in a nursing home in a Korean rural area and 73 Korean immigrants living in Houston Texas USA who were also elderly. The degree of social support was measured with 20 questions that were answered using a 5 grade scale. The quality of life was measured in 5 fields (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression, each scored using a 3 grade scale) with EUROQOL EQ-5D. Results: The mean score of social support was 65.43 for domestic Korean elderly people (range: 26 to 98); it was 73.43 for elderly Korean Americans (range: 26 to 100). The score was lower for domestic Koreans despite the traditional environment (p<0.05). Regarding QOL, 61% of domestic Korean elderly people complained of pain/discomfort and 47.5% appeared to have anxiety/depression, 30.5% complained of limitations in mobility, 20.7% reported limitations in usual activities, and 14.6% had limitations in basic self.care activity such as washing or dressing. A similar proportion of Korean American elderly had limitations in usual activities (19.2%) and self care activity (9.5%). But significantly fewer complained of anxiety/depression (16.5%, p<0.01) or pain/discomfort (38.3%, p<0.01). The major differences in psychological domains of QOL may be related to the degree of social support and the difference in the socio.cultural environment. Conclusion: Social support is a major determinant of QOL, especially for psychological domains, and these relationships are under the influence of the socio.cultural environment.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.31-55
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• 2004

The elder abuse draws an increasing concern as the elderly population grows rapidly, and increasing demands to provide long-term care to the impaired elderly are imposed on the families. This study compares Korean American elders' and their adult children's perceptions of possible elder abuse under care-giving situation, and related help-seeking behaviors using five scenarios developed by the author. The subjects consist of ten elders and their ten adult children including daughters-in-law who live in Los Angeles, the USA. Content analysis reveals very similar help-seeking behaviors of the two generations within the family despite the substanally generational difference towards the perceptions of elder abuse under care-giving situation. Mann-Whitney test shows a significant difference in the perceptions of elder abuse between the elderly and their adult children. It means that the elderly are substantially less likely to perceive a given situation as abusive than their adult children would. But there is no significant difference between the elderly and their adult children in their intended use of formal sources of help. Implications for gerontological social work practice and program development are discussed.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• no.23
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• pp.74-84
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• 2000

The objective of this study is to develop the evaluation checklist in the public interior spaces for the elderly and the Disabled people. The propriety and intensity of three architectural codes and two standards were examined by comparing with each other and the score was made according to the value. Findings revealed that Korean accessibility code had more mandatory items than others. The essential items to the handicapped's behaviour should be preserved, but less important things could be reconsidered. Also Korean code stressed the vertical moving equipments. But Swedish code had obligatory items in fire refugees facilities, and American code emphasized the corridor and sanitary facilities. Therefore, American and Swedish mandatory items and recommendations which were not addressed in Korean code and guidelines should be considered to apply to ours by investigating a user's problems and adaptation. This research can be used as a basic checklist for public spaces by users as well as guidelines of final design.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.13-20
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to describe the overall physical environment's features of nursing homes for Korean American elders in the United States. This investigation was conducted in Korean American nursing homes on the East Coast and in the Midwest with multiple qualitative data collection methods, such as interviews, observations, document review, and field notes. The findings of this study are as follows: 1) Although almost all respondents were unable to speak and understand English at all, most written materials in nursing homes were in only English; 2) The nursing homes were placed near or within the Korean communities; thus, it contributed to close ties with religious Korean American groups and other groups in the ethnic communities; 3) Whether the facility's physical features looked like those of a hospital or a home, many residents did not consider a nursing homes as a real home; 4) A fenced garden in the nursing home in the Midwest was the residents' favorite public space; 5) Due to being forced to room with residents who had dementia and were bedridden, they were more likely to have conflicts with their roommates and feel uncomfortable living in their room; and 6) The facilities seemed to be designed without consideration to protect residents' privacy.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Interior Design Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.100-105
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• 2004

Recently, the assisted living facilities for the elderly are increasing due to the facts, such as rapid increasing ratio of old people, rising incomes and the changing concepts towards family relationship. For the elderly, there is a need to re-examine how environment can incorporate design concepts which enhance accessibility and adaptability. For this survey each seven cases in Korean & American facilities were examined and also 120 copies of a questionnaire for the elderly who are above 60 were analysed. This survey revealed that; 1. The consciousness of the majority elderly was favorably aware of the assisted living facilities for the elderly by a social phenomenon. 2. At a response of the scale for the living unit, majority subjects preferred to live in size of 16${\sim}$20 pyung. 3. Subjects preferred not only clean and modern atmosphere, but also medical area and fitness room, design considerations for these points are needed. 4. Enough spaces for their hobbies and social activities, which are important factors for smooth understanding, communication and psychological remedy effect for the elderly should be provided in the facilities for the elderly. 5.Korean facilities were lack of accessibility, safety and adaptability, thus it is very important to select the suitable materials for the safety and lighting plans with regard to their physical and mental qualities.

• English & American cultural studies
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.27-50
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• 2018

Old age is often compared as climbing mountains which requires walking out of breath, yet with wider vision. And it is also likened to the estuary where the river flows slowly and broadly into the open sea. Socially, old age has been regarded as a symbol of wisdom and reflection, and elderly people often take the role of sage who leads the community. On the other hand, the dementia, gray hair and wrinkles of old age were sometimes perceived as the decline of intellect and vitality. Especially, in the digital age in which technology makes people more sensitive to physical artificiality, the evaluation of the old age becomes more complex and obscure. In other words, some elderly people can not escape from Confucious convention of the elders first, which causes the denouncement by younger generations. On the other hand, some elderly people are becoming more adaptable to the trend of young people, emerging as the new elderly people. The anti-aging movement, early adaptation of IT, bioengineering regimen also strong for the advanced age. However, as the new elderly people are active in many fields of society, they also face intergenerational conflicts in some areas where remains the overlap between young people and them due to the limited openings in economy and culture. This study is a transdisciplinary research which can be called old age humanities. First of all, this paper looks at the aspects of lifestyles and intergeneration conflicts in old age in four Korean and Western literary works about the old people, and also searches how to improve the quality of the later life of old people, Overall, this paper aims to explore the way the old people can achieve the full life with the help of intergenerational dependency through building aging humanities and new communities for old people.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.117-128
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• 2003

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of functional ability on relocation among the elderly. Longitudinal data from the Asset and Health Dynamics among the Oldest Old (1993, 1995) were analyzed for 6,225 respondents aged 70 or older. Among functional ability measures, difficulties in advanced activities of daily living (i. e., making telephone calls, taking medications, and managing money), lower body activities (i. e., walking several blocks, climbing one flight of stairs, pulling or pushing large objects, and carrying over 10 pounds), and household activities of daily living (i. e., preparing hot meals and shopping for groceries) were the predictors of increased residential move. Difficulties in basic activities of daily living (i. e., bathing, dressing, getting in and out, and using the toilet) were strongly related to increased entrance into an institutional care facility. Efforts to enhance the independent living of the elderly in the community setting should target the compensation of these functional difficulties.