• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.373-382
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare levels of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between fallers and non-fallers among community-dwelling elderly people. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted with the secondary analysis of 2,067 elderly people registered in S-Gu Visiting Health Care Program in Seoul, South Korea. Participants were 206 fallers and 206 non-fallers who were age- and sex-matched with fallers. HRQOL was measured by SF-8 including physical component summary (physical HRQOL) and mental component summary (mental HRQOL). Results: There were more people in the faller group having more than or equal to three chronic diseases (p<.001), living in multiplex houses (p=.004), and being dependent by the activities of daily living (ADL) (p=.001) and instrumental ADL (IADL) levels (p<.001) than those in the non-faller group. Fallers had higher levels of depression than non-fallers (p<.001). Moreover, fallers had significantly lower levels of both physical HRQOL (p<.001) and mental HRQOL (p=.001), after adjusting for number of chronic diseases, ADL, IADL, depression, healthcare insurance, and living environment. Conclusion: Among the community-dwelling elderly people, falllers had lower levels of HRQOL than non-fallers, and such a difference remained even after the adjustment for covariates. Factors that underlie the different susceptibility to HRQOL need to be explored.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.225-233
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• 2010

At this point in time South Korea is rapidly metastasizing to a aging society. A major cause of aging can be summarized as increased life expectancy, decrease of nuclear family and birthrate, and South Korea's progress is faster than any other country. From the 1970s, western society has changed social welfare to deinstitutionalization and community care because of problems about economic reason and facilities protection, so the type of elderly social service has also changed from the facility welfare service which is accommodated old people in certain facility to community welfare service which provides various welfare services with living together. Public facilities for low income group which are supported by government are lower, 6.6%, than the United States or Japan, 50%. They are divided into private manage facilities and subscription elderly facilities. These subscription elderly residential facilities show poor administration because of focusing on development and market analysis for investment returns. Therefore, in order to vitalize the elderly welfare residential facilities in Korea, we need plans about systematic services facilities for welfare and phased medical treatments. Therefore, the purpose of this study is that (1) the types and functions of residents for community elderly residential facilities in elderly welfare policies of U.S., and supported policies are researched as a transcendental model, (2) data about operating system with the principles of the market is analyzed, and (3) basic data about welfare facility plan for community residential elderly people is provided.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.302-310
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• 2003

This study was undertaken to assess nutritional status of the low income elderly residing in Gwangju. Anthropometric data showed that mean height of the subjects was lower than that of Korean Standard Growth data but weight was similar to that standard value. As the subjects became older, their heights and weights were decreased. Body mass index (BMI) in males and females were 22.9 and 24.4 respectively. However, BMI distribution showed that 56% of the elderly females under 75 were underweight. Advancing age conoibutes significant difference in triceps skinfold thickness in females (p < 0.001). Total cholesterol level was higher in the elderly females than the males. It was found that a considerable number of subjects had anemia determined by hemoglobin and hematocrit level, which indicated un iron deficiency. Twenty-four hour dietary recall revealed that, except for phosphorus and vitamin C, all the nutrient intakes of the subjects were below 75％ of Korean RDA. Surprisingly, vitamin A and riboflavin intakes of the elderly were below 50％ of Korean RDA. Energy intakes of the elderly males and females were 58.7% and 59.6% of Korean RDA respectively. Unbalanced energy ratios of carbohydrate, protein and fat were noted in both genders. Nutrient intakes of females' were lower than those of males'. Thus, there was a significant gender difference in nutrient intakes. It might be further suggested that an appropriate nutritional program should be developed and implemented to improve the Poor nutritional status of the low income elderly living in cities.

• 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.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.159-174
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to provide information searching for health promotion, nutrition improvement, and health care of the impaired elderly by ADL(Activity of Daily Living) and IADL(Instrumental Activity of Daily Living). The subjects were divided into the Assistant Needed Group and No Assistant Needed Group for living in line with the responses of ADL(10 items like dressing, washing, move etc.) and IADL(10 items like housekeeping, using transportation, shopping, Phone call etc.). Survey was made for health behavior, health risk habit, dietary management status and diet intake by 24 hr-recall and questionnaire method. 242 subjects were collected in 12 cities or Gun districts in Gyeonggi Province, S. Korea. Survey was carried out by regional home extension workers using interview method. Statistical analyses were made using SAS (Version 8.1). Chi-Square Tests and General Linear Models. The subjects of impaired ADL elderly was 26.5% and it composed 30% of the total male and 22.2% of the total female. The demographic status of the impaired ADL elderly showed no difference from that of the normal elders, elementary school educated (73.4%), with spouse (43.8%) or with adult children(37.5%), using monthly living cost of 500-1,000 thousand won(35.9%). Mean age was 74.05 years compared to 72.25 years of normal elders. However, there was no significant difference from the normal and impaired ADL group, regular exercise(60.0%), with walking (90.0%), no-smoke(54.7%) and no-drink(48.4%). Kind of disease was not different from the one in impaired and normal group, with cardiovascular disease(32.3%), with diabetes mellitus(8.1%), joint lumbago neuralgia(32.3%) and osteoporosis(9.7%). Gastrointestinal complaints of the impaired ADL group were nausea(57.8%), chronic indigestion (23.4%), constipation (14,0%) and vomiting(3.7%). Sleeping time required for the impaired was longer than that for the normal group by 10hours(4.7%) or 8-10hours(20.3%), which consisted 1.7% and 16.6% respectively. Nutrient intake of the impaired ADL group was low compared to normal range elders: Energy(1260kca1), Protein(52.75g). There was gender difference in nutrient intake; the male impaired group showed no significant difference from the normal group but it was significantly lower in female impaired group. These results suggest that low quality of life and low economic status of the impaired ADL elderly require congregate meal in village hall to cover the lack of side dishe variety. And nutrition education program including community assistance would be required for the impaired ADL elderly together with the sufficient food and exercise practice. By operating nutrition education program, the impaired ADL elderly would maintain more enhanced quality of life and ameliorate the ADL capability.

• Journal of the Korean society of biological therapies in psychiatry
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.184-193
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• 2018

Objectives : This study investigated the effects of social support and chronic medical conditions on depressive symptoms in elderly people living alone in a rural community. Methods : Sociodemographic information on 173 subjects aged 65 years or older who lived alone in a rural community and were recipients of National Basic Livelihood Security was collected and analyzed. All participants completed the Korean Form of the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Lubben Social Network Scale. Additionally, the current prevalence of chronic medical conditions that interfere with the activities of daily living was examined. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the associations of social support and chronic medical conditions with depressive symptoms. Results : Social support(odds ratio: OR, 0.96; 95% confidence interval: 95% CI, 0.92-0.99) and chronic medical conditions(OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.23-2.05) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms in all subjects. When analyzed by gender, social support served as a protective factor against depressive symptoms in elderly men only(OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.83-0.99), and chronic medical conditions increased the risk of depressive symptoms in elderly women only(OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.26-2.40). Furthermore, osteoarthritis and lumbar pain were risk factors for depressive symptoms in all subjects(OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.10-4.56 and OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.08-4.12) and in elderly women(OR, 4.07; 95% CI, 1.68-9.84 and OR, 3.34; 95% CI, 1.47-7.57), respectively. Conclusion : This study indicates that improving the social support and managing the chronic medical conditions of elderly people living alone are important for the prevention of depression in this population. Additionally, the present results suggest that it is necessary to establish different depression-prevention strategies for elderly men and women living alone.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.117-126
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• 2006

This study was conducted as a survey to find out middle-aged persons's housing preferences for a future elderly housing and to grasp background characteristics of persons influencing the preferences and the effect of elderly's aging situations on the changes of their preferences. A sample of 300 middle-aged people was selected purposely from parents of university students living in Gwang-ju city. Questionnaires were administered to parents by students and analysed with SPSS Windows 10 program. Middle-aged persons's housing preferences were differed according to elderly's aging situations, in the case of healthy situation, they tended to prefer to stay present house without their children in irrespective to couple or single, whereas in the case of unhealthy situation, they tended to prefer to live with their children. and couples showed preferences for planned housing for the elderly and singles showed preferences for elderly housing facilities with care services. The most important characteristics of elderly housing among middle-aged people was a places where they can enjoy leisure and provide home-help services, located in the suburbs. Also middle-aged persons were likely to prefer to a green spaces such as garden, path for walking, and madang for the elderly housing. Needs for community care services (NCCS) were required above the average. Among the items of NCCS, a visiting medical examination was the most demanding, and a visiting nursing services, a emergency calling bell, and home repairs were sequently followed in the level of needs. The characteristics of the elderly housing which preferred to and needs for community care services were influenced by middle-aged persons's age, gender, subjective evaluation of economic abilities, tenure status, the cost of living, and the size of housing. This findings suggests that it must to be considered to develop various types of the elderly housing depending on socioeconomic status.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.258-269
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the effects of an integrated activity program on the self-efficacy and depression of underprivileged elderly women living alone. Methods: The participants recruited were fifty underprivileged elderly women living alone in D city. Data were collected from September 1 to October 1, 2015. To test the effects of the integrated activity program, the participants were divided into two matched groups, an experimental group (N=25) and control group (N=25). The data were analyzed with a ${\chi}^2-test$, Fisher's exact probability test, and t-test using the SPSS/WIN 12.0 program. Results: After attending the integrated activity program, significant differences between the experimental group and control group were found for self-efficacy (t=9.19, p<.001) and depression (t=-18.31, p<.001). Conclusion: The results indicate that the integrated activity program enhances self-efficacy and reduces depression in underprivileged elderly women living alone. Therefore, this program is a good strategy that community mental health nurses can use to improve the mental health of underprivileged elderly women living alone.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.403-411
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical characteristics and instrumental activities of daily living(IADL) of the elderly (85+). The subjects were three-hundred elderly people over the age of 85, living in Kyungpook Sung-Ju area who have no problems in daily living. The survey on anthropometric measures and IADL were carried out by individual measurement and interviews using measuring devices and questionnaires. The subject group of the study was composed of 27% males and 73% females, the average age being 87 years old. Notable physical features of the subjects include considerably short statues and small physiques compared to the average Korean elder. The mean Body Mass Index(BMI) was 20.9. The average percentage of body fat in male and female was 21.7% and 29.5% respectively, and the average waist/hip ratio(WHR) was 0.9 and 0.85 respectively. The percentage of the subjects who were able to perform all the IADL was 51% in males and 25% in females. The male subjects were more capable than the females in all the IADL except for preparing meals. BMI showed positive correlations withy weight(r=699), WHR(r=0.157), body fat percentage(r=0.57), lean body mass(r=0368) and total body water(r=0.368). WHR also had positive correlation with weight(r=0.184), BMI(r=0.157), lean body mass(r=0.149) and total body water (r=0.148). Body fat percentage had a positive correlation with weight(r=0.147) and BMI(r=0.265) and total body water(r=0.265). In summary, the elderly(85+) in the Sung-Ju area had considerably smaller physiques than the average Korean elderly and showed a normal range of BMI in average. The IADL of the elderly(85+) appeared to have a positive correlation with lean body mass and total body water and a negative correlation with body fat percentage.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.111-119
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• 2024

Purpose : This study aimed to demonstrate the effects of visiting cognitive activities using brain training on cognition, subjective memory complaints and depression among elderly participants residing in community living in Gwangmyeong city. Methods : Over a 14-month period (October 2022 to December 2023), four brain training instructors visited the homes of older adults and conducted the intervention using a brain training kit. The participants included 32 elderly individuals aged 65 years and older, who were living in Gwangmyeong city. The assessments were conducted by an occupational therapist, a nurse and a social worker at the Gwangmyeong dementia relief center. These assessments included the following the subjective memory complaints questionnaire (SMCQ), short geriatric depression scale-Korean (SGDS-K), a cognitive impairment screening test (CIST), the consortium to establish a registry for Alzheimer's disease-Korean (CERAD-K). The participants were divided into three groups (A: 20-30 points, B: 10-19 points, C: 1-9 points) based on the CIST score. For data analysis, descriptive statistics and wilcoxon signed-rank test were performed using SPSS 24.0, and the statistical level was at a=.05. Results : The results of the intervention showed that the SMCQ score of group A improved significantly (p<.05), the CIST score of group B also improved significantly (p<.05). However, the SGDS-K score of group C improved, but did not demonstrate statistical significance (p=.080). Conclusion : The visiting cognitive activities using brain training produced significant effects on cognition, depression, and subjective memory disorders, depending on the cognitive level of the elderly participants. In the future, it will be necessary to demonstrate the effects according to cognitive level in various aspects with more elderly people.