• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.35-47
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• 2024

Objective : This study aimed to investigate the association between lifestyle factors and risk of frailty and depressive symptoms among older South Korean adults. Methods : This study included 10,072 individuals aged 65 or older from the 2017 National Survey of Older Koreans, a cohort of community-dwelling older South Koreans. The following lifestyle factors were assessed: physical activity, nutrition management (NM), and leisure/social activity participation (AP). Frailty was measured using the frail scale and depressive symptoms were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the odds ratios. Results : All lifestyle factors were associated with the risk of frailty and depressive symptoms in the study population. Regular exercise (≥3 times/wk, odds ratio [OR] = 0.59, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.52~0.91; OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.59~0.75), active NM (OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.80~0.91; OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.76~0.86), leisure AP (OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.74~0.84; OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.66~0.77) and social AP (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.88~0.96; OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.78~0.87) were correlated with lower odds ratios of frailty and depressive symptoms. Conclusion : Adopting a healthier lifestyle characterized by regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and active engagement in various activities can effectively reduce the risk of frailty and depressive symptoms among the older population. Ultimately, this study emphasized the essential role of lifestyle choices in promoting the physical and mental well-being of older adults.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2015

Objectives: This study evaluated the effects and relevant factors of community-based education and advocacy intervention on stroke awareness among the general population. Methods: The study enrolled 505 community-dwelling adults aged 19 years or older who completed a survey before and after a community-based intervention held between May 2014 and December 2014. Trained staff collected data about knowledge of five stroke warning signs, emergency response, golden window of time (${\leq}3h$), and demographics. Results: After the intervention, public awareness of all five stroke warning signs increased significantly from 26.5% to 33.9% (p=0.011). Public awareness of the golden window of time also increased significantly from 70.1% in April 2014 to 75.8% in December 2014 (p=0.040). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, older age, higher education level, and exposure to stroke-related public service announcements or educational materials were significant predictors of knowledge of all five warning signs for stroke. Conclusions: Comprehensive community-based intervention is effective for improving public awareness of the warning signs of stroke and the golden window of time.

• 한국노년학
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.593-605
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• 2018

This study examines factors that influence older drivers to consider stopping driving in advance and whose advice plays an important role in the driving cessation decision. Data came from a nationally representative cross-sectional survey of community-dwelling older adults (N=2,076). About two thirds reported that they have considered stopping driving (62.8%) and they preferred to decide by themselves (66.0%). Logistic regression results showed that women and residents in urban areas were twice as likely to consider voluntary driving cessation compared to their counterparts. Each one year increase in age contributed to the probability that respondents would consider driving cessation by five percent. Those with greater difficulties in ADLs due to chronic illnesses were also more likely to consider driving cessation. No sociodemographic and health factors were related to whether older drivers preferred to decide by themselves or listen to others. These results imply that policies to promote self-motivation to stop driving among older drivers would be effective. Furthermore, they suggest it could be important to help older drivers plan their driving cessation in advance while still at a young-old age, and that more attention needs to be paid to men and those living in rural areas among older drivers.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.581-588
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• 2017

This study was conducted to determine which factors would predict metabolic syndrome (MetS) perception and exercise by applying a machine learning classifier, or Extreme Gradient Boosting algorithm (XGBoost) from July 2014 to December 2015. Data were obtained from the Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS), representing different community-dwelling Korean adults 19 years and older, from 2009 to 2013. The dataset includes 370,430 adults. Outcomes were categorized as follows based on the perception of MetS and physical activity (PA): Stage 1 (no perception, no PA), Stage 2 (perception, no PA), and Stage 3 (perception, PA). Features common to all questionnaires for the last 5 years were selected for modeling. Overall, there were 161 features, categorical except for age and the visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS). We used the Extreme Boosting algorithm in R programming for a model to predict factors and achieved prediction accuracy in 0.735 submissions. The top 10 predictive factors in Stage 3 were: age, education level, attempt to control weight, EQ mobility, nutrition label checks, private health insurance, EQ-5D usual activities, anti-smoking advertising, EQ-VAS, education in health centers for diabetes, and dental care. In conclusion, the results showed that XGBoost can be used to identify factors influencing disease prevention and management using healthcare bigdata.

• Annals of Geriatric Medicine and Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.114-117
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• 2016

A research project, the "Construction of Frailty Cohort for Elderly and Intervention Study," funded by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, has been ongoing since December 2015. The Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study (KFACS) aims to identify risk factors for adverse outcomes associated with frailty in community-dwelling older adults, as well as means of prevention. KFACS is a multicenter, longitudinal study, with the baseline survey being conducted in 2016-2017. The sample (n=3,000) consists of those aged 70-84 years, stratified by age and gender, recruited from urban and rural regions nationwide. An in-person interview and health examination are performed every 2 years. This project is also conducting many intervention studies. Project interventions focus on nutrition and exercise. The nutritional intervention study compares the effects of 1.2 g/kg versus 1.5 g/kg daily protein intake on sarcopenia and frailty in older Koreans. The exercise trial examines the effectiveness of an information and communication technology-based program in preventing or reducing frailty.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.625-634
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• 2022

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between physical activity (PA) level and functional fitness (FF) parameters in community-dwelling older adults aged 65 or above in Korea. Subjects' (M: 1,645; F: 2,394) PA level were assessed using a questionnaire. The subjects were divided into two groups: one below the recommended level of PA(LPA) and one above the recommended level (PA). PA was further classified by intensity level into medium- and high-intensity PA (MIPA and HIPA respectively) groups. FF was assessed based on six test items representing the following fitness areas: lower and upper body strength, agility and dynamic balance, flexibility, aerobic capacity, coordination, and body composition. Of the subjects, 36% met the recommended level of PA. Both MIPA and HIPA were superior to LPA in all FF items(p<.05). The HIPA group was significantly better in terms of agility and dynamic balance, coordination, and lower body strength (only in women) than was the MIPA group(p<.05). In conclusion, PA above the recommended level is needed to maintain functional fitness. In addition, HIPA seems to promote fall-related functional fitness and should be encouraged when safe and feasible.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.1577-1589
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to compare the health status, functional status, and home environment hazards by the fear of falling and explore the factors that contribute to the fear of falling. This was a descriptive study. Data were collected for two years with 973 older adults who enrolled in a health center at A city. Trained nurses visited subjects' home and collected data using Resident Assessment Instrument MDS-HC. The average age of the subjects was 76.8 (±7.6) and female was 74.8%. 20.7% of subjects reported fear of falling. In terms of the fear of falling, two groups were compared. There were significant differences in vision, urinary incontinence, pain that interrupts daily activity, unstable gait, comorbidities, frequency of depressive or anxious sign. The greater the age, IADL and ADL dependency, comorbidities, unstabled gait, the more fear of falling. In conclusion, this study reassured the importance of assessing the major factors related to fear of falling such as age, IADL and ADL, comorbities, gait among older adults. This study will contribute to establish strategies for preventing fall. Reducing the fear of falling through the comprehensive nursing intervention will ultimately improve the quality of life in the elderly.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.53-67
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• 2024

Objective : This study aimed to identify common activities with similar participation levels between community-dwelling individuals in the United States (US) and South Korea (Study 1), and analyze the changes in activity participation patterns across the adult lifespan in South Korea (Study 2). Methods : We administered the online survey-based Activity Card Sort version 3 (ACS-3) to adults living in the US and South Korea. In Study 1, we computed the average participation level and visualized 100 activities of the ACS-3 from both the US and Korean samples. The average participation level across the four age groups in Study 2 was calculated and visualized to understand the changes in patterns of involvement across the four ACS-3 domains in a Korean sample. Results : In Study 1, data from 161 Americans and 163 Koreans were analyzed. Of the 100 activities, 48 (instrumental: 20; leisure: 13; fitness/health: 6; social: 9) demonstrated similar levels of participation between the two samples. In Study 2, data from 420 Koreans were analyzed and a tendency for decreased participation with age was found in all domains, except for the instrumental domain. Conclusion : Common daily activities may be used as a means of intervention across cultures in occupational therapy. Protective approaches and support are recommended to optimize older adults' participation in daily life.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.561-571
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• 2016

Purpose: This study reviewed the innovative educational strategies that have been implemented successfully in US baccalaureate nursing education programs to facilitate appropriate attitudes about caring for older adults. Methods: The data were collected through a search of PubMed and CINAHL using the key words, gerontological or geriatric, attitudes about aging or older people, baccalaureate or undergraduate nursing education or curriculum. Results: The successful strategies are categorized as follows: 1) a multidisciplinary approach integrating aging issues and gerontological contents into diverse nursing courses, 2) active participation of community-dwelling healthy older individuals as an educational mentor, 3) use of audiovisual materials to investigate the misconceptions and attitudes about aging, and 4) discussion through critical thinking and self-reflection toward aging. Implications: For the interdisciplinary approach within nursing courses, it is essential to derive the key contents for gerontological nursing applicable to integration into diverse nursing courses. In addition, it is necessary to provide administrative support for implementing innovative strategies and constructing consistent partnerships with the community for active participation of the elderly as a mentor. Lastly, recognizing the significance of educational strategies for enhancing desirable attitudes toward gerontological nursing and supporting the development of educational capability of a faculty are key issues.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.359-374
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• 2002

Objectives : To develop a physical functioning instrument for older adults living in the community. Methods : A representative sample of 979 people aged 65 years or over were interviewed in-person. Of these, 199 people also completed a detailed in-hospital examination. The scale items were selected based on the frequency of endorsement, along with the item-total and inter-item correlations. The associations of the scale with their physical performance and clinical examination were analyzed to evaluate the criterion-related validity. Construct validity was assessed using factor analysis, and internal consistency through Cronbach's alpha and item-total correlations. Test-retest reliability was measured by agreement between the household survey and the repeat survey at the in-hospital examination. Results : Initially, 23 items on the level of difficulty, ranging from no difficulty to an inability to complete a task, with the specific mobility and self-care tasks were included. Those with a high frequency of endorsement and a low inter-item or item-total correlations were excluded, resulting in a 10-item Physical Functioning (PT) scale. Equal weights were given to each item and a summated score was calculated. Significant associations were found between the PF scores and the physical performance, surrey and clinical data. The scale revealed a 2-factor (mobility and self-care) structure. Cronbach's alpha was 0.92 and the item-total correlations were in the 0.63 to 0.78 range. Pearson's correlations for the test-retest ranged between 0.56 and 0.61. Conclusions : The newly developed Physical Functioning (PF) scale showed good psychometric properties in older people. Further work, however, is needed to improve its sensitivity to discriminate higher levels of functioning, in addition to assessing its predictive value in detecting changes in health.