• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.254-259
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• 2016

Purpose: Owing to increased life expectancy, the number of elderly patients with gastric cancer has increased. This study aimed to identify the outcomes of gastric cancer patients aged 80 years or older through comparison of their clinicopathological characteristics, surgical outcomes, and oncologic outcomes. Materials and Methods: Between January 2006 and December 2013, the records of 478 patients who underwent surgery for gastric cancer were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups: patients <80 years old (n=446) and patients ${\geq}80$ years old (n=32). Results: There were no significant differences in sex, body mass index, length of hospital stay, duration of surgery, depth of invasion, nodal metastasis, histologic type, or tumor size between the two groups. However, significant differences were found for the American Society of Anesthesiologist score and the serum albumin level between the two groups. Postoperative morbidity, mortality, disease-free survival, and recurrence rate did not differ between curatively resected patients in the two groups. Conclusions: In elderly patients with gastric cancer, active treatment including radical gastrectomy is necessary.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.329-337
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• 2007

Purpose: Increasing numbers of Koreans have immigrated to the United States since the late 1960s. The first generation of Korean immigrants or their parents become old and institutionalized in American nursing home setting. Although the Korean elders would experience many cultural differences in the nursing home, no study to date has investigated their everyday lives on how they live through their later lives within a different cultural environment from their own. Methods: Using ethnographic methodology, the purpose of this paper was to illustrate Korean residents' experiences and daily lives in a nursing home located in an east coastal city in the U.S. Participant observation, filed notes, semi-structured interviews were utilized by means of data collection. Eighteen Korean residents were observed, and five of them and two nurses participated in informal qualitative interviews. Results: The overriding theme from the findings is "thrown in a different world." Three sub-themes include "constant struggles in making themselves understood", "dealing with culturally inappropriate nursing care," and "maintaining their own ways of life". Conclusions: The discovered themes reflect culturally isolated lives of the participants and open a venue for designing a culturally congruent nursing care for Korean elders living in the U.S. nursing homes.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.260-266
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• 2003

The objective of this study is to compare the general body measurements and shoulder shapes of Korean and American elderly women to supply basic data for the apparel design. The anthropometrics data was collected including both direct and indirect measurements of 283 women over the age of 55 in Korean and the American women. The statistical methods used for the analysis of measurement data are the T-test, Exploratory data analysis, ANOVA and Duncan-test respectively. The results of the T-test indicated that there is a significant difference in the 14 body measurement items except of waist circumference. The results of exploratory data analysis, an independent relationship between shoulder slope angle and forward shoulder roll of Korean women. On the other hand, there is a dependent relationship that the bigger shoulder slope and forward shoulder roll with wide cross back shoulder of American women. Comparison of mean among the three different age groups, aged 55~59 group shows significant differences in the value of difference between cross back shoulders and horizontal shoulder width. This finding indicates that the wide and forward roll shoulder needs to special pattern making like ease amount and curvature for fit and comfort for women's apparel.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.176-182
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• 2015

Purpose: To compare the surgical outcomes of laparoscopic total gastrectomy between elderly and non-elderly patients. Materials and Methods: Between 2008 and 2015, a total of 273 patients undergoing laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma were divided into two age groups: elderly (${\geq}70$ years, n=71) vs. non-elderly (<70 years, n=172). Postoperative outcomes, including length of hospital stay, morbidity, and mortality were compared between the groups. Results: The elderly group showed a significantly higher rate of comorbidities and American Society of Anesthesiologists scores than those in the non-elderly group. No significant differences were found with respect to lymphadenectomy or combined organ resection between the groups. After surgery, the elderly group showed a significantly higher incidence of grade III and above complications than the non-elderly group (15.5% vs. 4.1%, P=0.003). Among the complications, anastomosis leakage was significantly more common in the elderly group (9.9% vs. 2.9%, P=0.044). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that old age (${\geq}70$ years) was an independent risk factor (odds ratio=4.42, 95% confidence interval=1.50~13.01) for postoperative complications of grade III and above. Conclusions: Elderly patients are more vulnerable to grade III and above complications after laparoscopic total gastrectomy than non-elderly patients. Great care should be taken to prevent and monitor the development of anastomosis leakage in elderly patients after laparoscopic total gastrectomy.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1995

The major purpose of this study was to determine the factors which affect elderly individuals' innovativeness toward housing. The. study analyzed data from the Southern Regional Research Project. S-194. “Barriers and incentives to affordable Housing”. The sample consisted of 1.878 respondents over age 55 who resided in 28 communties in seven southern states in the U.S. Results describing demographic and housing characteristics of respondents were summarized. The following findings were revealed from two statistical techniques (the ANOVA and Multiple Regression): 1) Those age 55 to 64. previous residents of larger communities. and those with higher incomes possess higher personal innovativeness toward housing: and 2) Age was a significant predictor to explain elderly respondents' positive attitude to adopt new or unusual housing types and technologies in housing.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.70-80
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• 2004

The purpose of this study is to analyze the interior color characteristics of elderly housing facilities in U. S. A. For this purpose, a field survey was conducted between July 23 and July 31, 2003, visiting 10 elderly housing facilities in Contra Costa County, California. A three step analysis of the facilities involved. First, floor, walls, ceilings, base boards and doors in common spaces were examined for the color scheme using the "Pantone for Fashion and Home Color Guide" for each room. Measured Pantone numbers were converted to RGB color using "Chooser 3.0 of Pantone, Inc." Finally, the conversions were recorded as Munsell numbers. The results are as follows: First, the colors chosen for American elderly housing are high value and low chromatic colors. In many facilities, analogue colors such as BG, B, BP and Y, YR R, RP are used. Second, the colors of ceiling and wall are mainly very bright and low chromatic colors. The colors of floor are undertaking an Important role by generating major atmosphere in the America elderly housing. Third, the colors used for elderly housing are found inter-related. For example, the main color in the lobby is also used from corridor to stair and used again from lounge to dinning room as a secondary color. Fourth, it is found that accent colors are used at the beginning and end of stair and corridor outskirts in consideration of physical condition of elderly people. Fifth, there is no difference in color selection between elderly housing with low and high rental value. Preferably, more versatile colors are being chosen for elderly housing with the low rental value.he low rental value.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.1-11
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• 2002

Purpose: This study was done to describe the correlation among the older Korean American adults's health-promoting behavior, life satisfaction and self-esteem. Method: The subjects consisted of 183 community-dwelling Korean immigrant elderly living in the state of Washington, USA. The instruments for this study were Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile(47 items), Life Satisfaction Scale(20 items) and Self-Esteem Scale(l0 items). Frequency, percentage, t-test, ANOVA, Duncan test and Pearson's correlation coefficient with SAS program were used to analyze the data. Result: 1) The average item score for the health-promoting behavior was 3.51; the highest score on the subscale was nutrition(M=3.63) with the lowest being exercise(M=3.07). 2) The average item score for the life satisfaction was 3.11. 3) The average item score for the self-esteem was 3.12. 4) Health-promoting behavior was significantly different according to educational level and participation in society circles. 5) Life satisfaction was significantly different according to age, religion and participation in society circles. 6) Self-esteem was significantly different according to age, marital status, religion and participation in society circles. 7) Health-promoting behavior was positively related to life satisfaction and self-esteem. The life satisfaction was positively related to self-esteem. Conclusion: It follows from this study that there is a very correlation among the older Korean American adults's health-promoting behavior, life satisfaction and self-esteem. Therefore health promoting programs that increase life satisfaction and self-esteem should be developed to promote a healthy lifestyle of the older Korean American adults.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.351-361
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to explore whether there is a point within the range of physical impairment after which the cost of home care exceeds the cost of nursing home care among the elderly who require long-term care. The provision of long-term care for the elderly is a major health policy issue, in part due to the aging of the American population and dramatic increase in health care costs. The framework for this study was guided by Pollak's(1973)model of costs of alternative care settings for the elderly. This study used a retrospective, descriptive correlational design. Physical impairment was measured by the modified Index of Activities of Daily Living(Katz et al. 1963). Cost of care was measured by the average cost per patient per day. The sample for this study included 67 patients receiving long-term care at home from the Long-term Home Health Care Programs (LTHHCPs) and 67 patients receiving long-term care in nursing homes. Data were collected on patient characteristics. including activities of daily living and cognitive impairment. and on the number of physician visits. emergency room visits. and hospitalization from the patient records. For each patient. Medicaid cost data for home care services/or nursing home services were collected from the financial department of each home care agency or nursing home. The living costs and informal care costs were estimated for home care patients. The results indicated that the home care sample and the nursing home sample were similar in terms of gender. ethnic background. and marital status. The elderly patients in the home care sample were: however. younger and less physically impaired than those in the nursing home sample. The hypotheses of this study were supported: For elderly persons with physical impairment scores below 12(possible range of 0 to 14), cost of care was lower in home care than in the nursing home care setting. However, for elderly persons with physical impairment scores above 12. the cost of care was higher in home care than in the nursing home care setting. Thus. in this sample for elderly patients with extreme physical impairment, the cost of home care exceeded the cost of nursing home care.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.109-117
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the outcomes of laparoscopic gastrectomy in very elderly patients with gastric cancer, who have outlived the average lifespan of the Korean population (men: ${\geq}77years$, women: ${\geq}84years$). Materials and Methods: Between 2004 and 2015, 836 patients with gastric cancer underwent a laparoscopic gastrectomy. They were divided into the elderly group (EldG) and non-elderly group (nEldG). Propensity score matching for covariates of sex, tumor depth, node status, and extent of resection was performed. Clinicopathologic characteristics, and surgical and survival outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. Results: The EldG had a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and a higher number of comorbidities. There was no significant difference in the post-operative complications, except for pulmonary complications, which were more frequent in the EldG (5/56, 8.9%) than in the nEldG (0/56, 0%). The EldG had a shorter overall survival (OS), but cancer-specific survival was similar for both groups. Among deceased patients, 2 (25%) and 8 patients (50%) died within a year of surgery in the nEldG and EldG, respectively. Univariate and multivariate risk factor analyses for OS showed that age, ASA score, tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) stage, and occurrence of complications were significantly related to deterioration in OS. Conclusions: Laparoscopic gastrectomy can be safely performed in very elderly patients with gastric cancer who have outlived the average lifespan of the Korean population. However, impact of laparoscopic gastrectomy on improving survival is not clear, and careful patient selection is recommended.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.193-202
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• 2016

Purpose: The study was to analyze clinical outcomes and risk factors of for complications associated with the hip fracture surgery in the elderly before and after interdisciplinary treatment. Methods: A retrospective method was used to investigate the general and therapeutic characteristics, frequency of complications and clinical outcomes. The subjects of the study were 553 patients who underwent hip fracture surgery from January, 2009 to December, 2014. Results: The interdisciplinary group was older and less likely to walk independently even before the fracture than a usual care group. The incidence of complications was higher in the interdisciplinary group than the usual care group. The prevalence of complications in both groups was 66.5%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showsed that the risk factors for complications of hip fracture surgery were as follows: advanced age, stroke, Parkinson disease, time interval from emergency room to operation, pre & post ambulatory status, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification quality of postop intensive care unit (ICU) care and foley indwelling. Conclusion: This study has implications in that it recognized the necessity for interdisciplinary treatment and provided the basic base data for nursing intervention of the elderly patients who underwent hip fracture surgery.