• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.93-119
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• 2004

This article investigates 230 public assistance recipient elderlies and 354 community elderlies in order to find out the current status and influencing factors on elder abuse. It surveyed at Gwangju metropolitan city. The result from the research were 1) the degree of elder abuse is generally low, and the primary type of abuse is psychological abuse and neglect. The victims of abuse experienced psychological pain rather than physical pain. 2) the abuser are mainly in early forties, and very unstable economically. 3) based on personal characteristics of the recipient and non-recipient elderlies, there are significant differences between respondents' sex, age, education level, income, ADL, IADL, chronic disease, depression, social support, and number of friends. 4) the factors affecting elder abuse of public assistance recipient elderlies are depression, alcohol, social support(elderly-related factors), alcohol, childhood abuse(abuser- related factors), and emotional relationship, number of family members(family- related factors). And, the factors affecting elder abuse of community elderlies are childhood abuse, social support(elderly-related), relationship with victims(abuser -related), and emotional relationship(family-related). Finally, the research recommends that differential intervention strategies are needed in order to prevent elder abuse of the public assistance recipient elderlies and the community elderlies.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.472-484
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to develop a home health care model in the public health system and to test the effectiveness of the model. Seven com-munity health practitioners in Yon- Cheon county. Kyunggi province, carried out home health care service for this research. The subjects of the home health care were a total of 111 community residents with chronic health problems and risk-prone infants and children; 29 persons with hypertension, 18 persons with diabetes, 12 persons with neurologic problems, 12 elderly, and 40 infants and children. During the period of study, from December, 1993 to March, 1995, a demonstrative home health care model was developed in the Yon-Cheon County community health centers with the cooperation of the Yon-Cheon Medical Center and Yon-Cheon Public Health Center for the first six months. A home care practice manual and recording system for home visits were also co-developed by the researchers and community health practitioners. Four workshops and monthly conferences were held for this purpose. Actual home care practice took place for two months, and on-going evaluation and replanning accompanied this process. The result of the evaluation of home care service were as follows. 1) For persons with hypertension, diabetes, neurologic problems, there was significant improvement in knowledge of disease and care, but no significant difference was seen in health behavior or symptoms after home care service. 2) No significant difference was seen in level of self esteem or depression after reminiscence therapy among 12 elderly subjects. 3) There were significant differences in satis-faction toward child rearing and parental sup-port, but no significant difference In education needs for parental role after home care service among parents of infants and children. 4) There was significant improvement in the quality of life among the subjects after the home care service. 5) Subjects responded that they were highly satisfied with the home care service given by the community health practitioners. Although, the actual implementation period was very short, and not all of the evaluation outcomes showed significant improvement, the home health care model of community health practitioners was, in general, positively evaluated. Through this re-search, the possibility of community health practitioners working as active home care personnel in the public health care system is supported. Further research with an expanded area and subjects for a longer period is recommended. Cost effectiveness research is also needed.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.1-15
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• 2005

Purpose: This study was conducted to assess the fall risk factors. Method: The subjects were 87 persons who were older than 65 years living at 28 nursing home in Seoul and Gyunggi province. Subjects were interviewed using RAFS II for intrinsic factor and the environmental factor were assessed using a structured questionnaire from Oct. to Dec. in 2004. The data were analyzed by SPSS(ver. 12.0) programs, using descriptive statistics, $x^2$-test, and t-test. Result: The 37.9% of the subjects experienced the fall, and its average number is $1.94\pm1.75$. The Women's experience of the fall was higher than that of the men, but it was no significant difference with gender. There was no significant difference with the age and duration of living. The mean of the intrinsic risk factor was 13.38 in total score 39 points marks on the RAFS II scales. The intrinsic risk factor score of the fallen group 15.71 was significantly higher than the non-fallen group 12.10. The variables of recent fall experience(t=4.72, p=0.000) and urinary dysfunction(t=2.64, p=0.010) was significantly higher than the non-fallen group. The highest variable of the intrinsic factor was the age and the variables of drug intake, balance, chronic disease, recent fall experience, urinary dysfunction were followed in order. The mean of the environmental risk factor was 0.24 points. No significant differences were shown in environmental risk factor between the fallen and the non-fallen groups. To the fallen group, the place of entrance was the highest risky environmental factor. To see in area dimension, the floor surfaces was the highest risky environmental factor and equipment and illumination factor was the following risky elements in order. In the total score of environmental risk factors based on the ares, the fallen group was 0.26 and the non-fallen group was 0.24, but there were no significant differences between the groups. Conclusion: This results suggested that visual protection strategy, set up the safety device in the place of entrance and inner stairway, bathroom and nonskid mat in the nursing home would be contribute to the prevention of the fall for the elderly.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.128-136
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• 2011

This study was carried out to investigate the factors of food service satisfaction of the elderly in Busan. The survey was conducted from September 1 to October 15, 2009 by questionnaires and data analyzed by SPSS program. Fifty point nine percent of the subjects lived alone and the source of living expenses of 70.5% of the subjects was subsidy from government. The most important reason for the elderly to participate in meal service was 'economic difficulty' and 'to meet friend'. The subjects had various chronic degenerative diseases, such as arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis and cardiac disease. Sixty-six point eight percent of the subjects needed diet therapy for their diseases, but 87.1% of them don't want to pay the extra fee. Thirty six point five percent of the subjects attained information about lunch program because it was 'close to home' but 20.7% was 'from public officials'. The reasons for the use of the meal service were 'economic difficulty' (40.0%), 'to meet friends' (22.6%), and 'bother to prepare meal' (16.50%). The services provided by welfare center were health care, physical exam and haircut. The score given by the subjects on the satisfaction of meal service was 3.84 on the 5-point maximum scale. Higher satisfaction on kindness of staff, satisfaction of social support and awareness of support resulted in higher satisfaction of food service. It would be effective to provide food service models that meet specific needs of the elderly according to social welfare service and social community activities.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.246-257
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of physical health status and social support on depression and quality of life among the elderly in G City. This is a descriptive research study of 497 elderly residents in 45 senior citizen centers in G city; the data were collected from March 5 to 30, 2018. Data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS/win 24.0 program by t-test, ANOVA and multiple regression analysis. In physical health status, the chronic disease score was $1.35{\pm}0.91$, the functional status score was $1.80{\pm}4.45$, and the subjective health score was $3.14{\pm}1.13$. The average score for social support in the emotional network was $5.71{\pm}1.13$. In the sub-region of the social network, the score for frequency of contact with relatives was $2.92{\pm}1.31$, that for contact with friends was $3.18{\pm}0.98$, and that for social participation was $0.68{\pm}0.82$. In the multiple regression analysis of factors affecting depression and quality of life, the explanatory power of physical health status and quality of life was 45.5% and 21.1%, respectively. The explanatory power of depression based on social support and quality of life was 46.7% and 27.5%, respectively. This study indicates that physical health status and social support affect depression and quality of life. Therefore, programs should be developed to increase the physical health status and social support and thus improve the quality of life of the elderly in the community.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.69 no.2
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• pp.117-141
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences of the factors affecting the entry of depression by generations and to present a practical strategy for preventing of depression by life-cycle. For this purpose, we analyzed the factors influencing the depression of adults, middle-aged and elderly people through the discrete-time hazard model. The results of this study are as follows: First, the lower the self-esteem, the lower the income satisfaction and the family satisfaction people have, the higher the likelihood of entering the depression they have. In addition, age, educational level, health status, presence of chronic diseases, employment status, regional area, and leisure life satisfaction were variables that showed difference by generation. In the case of adulthood(aged 20 ~ 39), unemployed persons are more likely to enter the depression than younger workers. On the other hand, the middle-aged(40 ~ 64 year olds) are more likely to enter the depression if they are older, have poor health status, have no chronic disease, and have low leisure satisfaction. Finally, older people(aged 65 and over) are more likely to enter the depression when the education level is higher, the health condition is worse, and the leisure satisfaction is lower. If they lived in an urban and rural complex, they are more likely to enter the depression. Based on these results, it is necessary to establish a support plan reflecting the characteristics revealed by generations in order to prevent the entry of depression.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.141-148
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• 2006

Objectives : We wanted to evaluate the medical underutilization for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among Korean elderly men and we wanted to determine their associated factors. Methods : This study was conducted on 239 men with LUTS and 116 men with BPH who were compatible with the diagnostic criteria from a total of 641 participants. These participants were over 50 years old and they were randomly chosen in a community-based study for estimating the prevalence of BPH. Using a self-reported questionnaire, we surveyed the sociodemographics, health status, quality of life, lower urinary tract symptoms, medical utilization and reasons for not seeking treatment. Results : Only 27.6% of the men with LUTS and 31.0% of the men with BPH reported having visited a doctor for urinary symptoms. The reasons for not visiting a doctor were, in order of responses from the group with LUTS: 'considered the symptoms as a part of the normal ageing process', 'not enough time to visit a doctor', 'financial difficulty' and 'the symptoms were not severe or bothersome'. Regarding BPH, the responses were the same as those of the group with LUTS however, 'financial difficulty' placed second. Among the men with experience of visiting a doctor for urinary symptoms, 33.3% of those with LUTS and 28.1% of those with BPH were not treated. The most common reason in both groups was 'the symptoms were not severe to be treated'. On a multiple logistic regression analysis, the larger size household (odds ratio (OR) 3.03, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.40-6.54) and an unsatisfactory quality of life related with urinary symptoms (OR 2.98, 95% CI=1.23-7.21) were associated with medical utilization in the group of LUTS. For BPH, the current employment status was related with the medical utilization (OR 2.80, 95% CI=1.10-7.11), in addition to the larger size household (OR 3.24, 95% CI=1.14-9.21). Conclusions : Many men with urinary symptoms do not visit a doctor. This medical underutilization for people with LUTS and BPH may be associated with economic status in Korea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.491-496
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• 2007

Background: The best way of delivering drugs for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is via the inhaled route of administration. However, many patients use inhaler devices incorrectly. To augment the proper use of inhalation medicine and to improve knowledge of the disease and compliance, we have developed a "Computerized Respiratory Service Program" and applied the use of this program to educate patients. Methods: Prospectively, this study was performed in 164 patients with asthma or COPD prescribed with inhaled medication. When inhalation medication was first prescribed, education using a drug model was conducted two times and thereafter every month. In addition, education using a drug model was conducted and the ability of the patient to use inhalation medicine properly was evaluated. Results: A total of 164 patients participated in the sessions more than two times and received education. Fifty-seven patients participated in three sesions. After the patients received education one time, the ability of these patients to use an inhaler had an average score of 20.6. After the patients received education two times, the average score was 21.9. After the patients received education three times, the average score was 22.3, a further increase. The compliance of using the inhaler was 70.1% at the second session and increased to 81.8% at the third session. Conclusion: Feedback education using the "Computerized Respiratory Service Program" will increase the ability of the patient to use an inhaler and consistent education can maintain patient compliance with inhaler use.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.28 no.1 s.49
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• pp.59-72
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• 1995

This study was carried out to analyze the food intake and associated factors of the urban poor elderly by comparing poor district, Unbong rental apartment in Bansong 2 dong with other areas in Pusan. 135 elderlies(men 36, women 99) in Unbong rental apartment, 136 elderlies(men 45, women 91) in the other areas were investigated during the period of March to August in 1994. The assumption that the study area represented poor district was satisfied because the age and sex distribution was not significantly different, and the income of the study area was significantly lower than that of the control area. The variables of hospitalized in previous 12 month, gastrointestinal problem, alcohol drinking, cigarette smoking did not differ significantly. But the variables of chronic disease, take medicine, perceived health, vitamin supplement differed significantly between two groups. Therefore some factors associated with health state in the study area are worse than those of the control area. At most of all variables, nutrients intake of the study area did not reach the recommended dietary allowances(RDA) for Koreans, and that nutrient intakes of the study area were significantly lower than those of the control area. The hypothesis of this study that nutrient status depends on economical status was proved. As for the score of nutritional knowledge, the study area was significantly lower than the control area. But as for the score of nutritional behavior, two areas were not significantly different. The latter is counter result of our hypothesis, owing to the effect of the confounding factors including education etc. As for the correlation of variables, not only economic status and educational level, but the score of nutritional knowledge effects strongly on nutrient status in the study area, the poor district. Therefore, adequate nutritional education to the elderly in e poor district should be considered.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.113-117
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• 2008

Purpose: To evaluate the long term results(local control, survival, failure, and complications) after radiation therapy for skin cancer in elderly patients. Material and Methods: The study spanned from January 1990 to October 2002. Fifteen elderly patients with skin cancer were treated by radiotherapy at the Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center. The age distribution of the patients surveyed was 72 to 95 years, with a median age of 78.8 years. The pathologic classification of the 15 patients included squamous cell carcinoma(10 patients), basal cell carcinoma(3 patients), verrucous carcinoma(1 patient) and skin adnexal origin carcinoma(1 patient). The most common tumor location was the head(13 patients). The mean tumor diameter was 4.9 cm(range 2 to 9 cm). The radiation dose was delivered via an electron beam of 6 to 15 MeV. The dose range was adjusted to the tumor diameter and depth of tumor invasion. The total radiation dose ranged from $50{\sim}80$ Gy(mean: 66 Gy) with a 2 Gy fractional dose prescribed to the 80% isodose line once a day and 5 times a week. One patient with lymph node metastasis was treated with six MV photon beams boosted with electron beams. The length of the follow-up periods ranged from 10 to 120 months with a median follow-up period of 48 months. Results: The local control rates were 100%(15/15). In addition, the five year disease free survival rate(5YDFS) was 80% and twelve patients(80%) had no recurrence and skin cancer recurrence occurred in 3 patients(20%). Three patients have lived an average of 90 months($68{\sim}120$ months) without recurrence or metastasis. A total of 9 patients who died as a result of other causes had a mean survival time of 55.8 months after radiation therapy. No severe acute or chronic complications were observed after radiation therapy. Only minor complications including radiation dermatitis was treated with supportive care. Conclusion: The results suggest that radiation therapy is an effective and safe treatment method for the treatment of skin cancer in elderly patients who achieved a good survival rate and few minor complications.