• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.478-490
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of oral exercise on oral function and quality of life among community-dwelling elders. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study. Sixty four participants were recruited from the dental clinic of a public health center in G City, Gyeonggi-do. Thirty one participants were assigned to the experimental group and 33 to the control group. Participants in the experimental group performed oral exercise once a week for a period of three months. Subjects in the The control group received usual oral education. The Scores for oral function and quality of life were measured before and after the treatment. Data were analyzed using SPSS WIN 14.0. Results: After the experiment, statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups. were observed. The amount of saliva (p<.001), and the scores of for oral function (p<.001), and quality of life (p<.001) were higher in the intervention group compared to the control group. Conclusions: Oral exercise programs were effective in improving the oral function and quality of life among community-dwelling elders. Oral exercise could be an effective oral health nursing intervention for older people in the community.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.45-54
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• 2020

Objective : The purpose of this study was to identify the relationships among cognitive function, activities of daily living (ADL), participation and quality of life in community-dwelling elderly. Methods : Cognitive function, ADL, participation and quality of life were assessed in the 144 elderly people residing in the community. We used MMSE-K for measuring cognitive function, K-ADL for ADL, K-ACS for participation, and GQOL for quality of life. Results : Cognitive function was significantly correlated with social activity of participation and quality of life (physical health, psychological health, social relations and economic level). ADL was significantly correlated with participation (instrumental ADL, leisure activity) and all sub-areas of quality of life. Social activity of participation were significantly correlated with all subarea of quality of life except physical health. Among the variables, the most relevant variable was leisure activity. Conclusion : It was related to quality of life in the order of participation, ADL, and cognitive function. Among the sub-areas of participation, leisure activity was the most correlated with quality of life. This study, thus, aimed to provide basic data for successful elderly life by examining the correlation between cognitive function, daily life activity, participation and quality of life in community-dwelling elderly.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.337-348
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was to examine the factors (depression, level of health status, physical function, depression) influence health related quality of life (EQ5D) in community dwelling elderly according to sex. Methods: A total of 226 elderly subjects over the age of 65 years in community were included. Data were collected by measuring the physical function (muscle endurance, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular endurance) and by using a questionnaire about EQ5D, depression, health status. Data were analyzed by SPSS 18.0 and AMOS 18.0. Results: The major findings of this study are as follows. Explained variance of EQ5D by regular exercise, physical function, and level of health status was 19% for male elderly subjects and 26.0% for female elderly subjects. The effect was different according to sex. Depression has the effect on EQ5D (${\beta}=-.356$, p<.001) in females, while the level of health status has the effect (${\beta}=.314$, p=.027) in males. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the effect of regular exercise, physical function, and level of health status were different on EQ5D according to sex. Thus, different health programs according to sex are necessary to increase the quality of life in elderly individuals.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.74-80
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• 2013

We evaluated whether group locomotor imagery training-combined knowledge of performance (KP) lead to improvements in gait function in community dwelling individuals with chronic stroke. Ten adults who had suffered a hemiparetic stroke at least 6 months earlier participated in group locomotor imagery training-combined KP for 5 weeks, twice per week, with 2 h intensive training. Dynamic gait index scores increased significantly after the group locomotor imagery training-combined KP. However, times for the timed up-and-go test did not improve significantly after the training. Group locomotor imagery training-combined KP may be a useful option for the relearning of gait performance for community dwelling individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.749-758
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• 2001

The purpose of the study was to analyze the functional status of low income elderly living at home according to their socio-economic factors, sensory function, health status, medical service utilization, commodity and types of chronic disease. Method: Functional status was defined by the level of mobility, ADL and IADL categorized as independently functional, mildly impaired, moderately disabled, and severely disabled. The data was collected by home-visit interviews with 567 community dwelling adults who were 65 years of age or more with low a income status subsidized by government in ChonAn. Results: 9.9% of community dwelling older adults were severely disabled, and 44.4% were moderately disabled in their functional status. There were significant differences in the functional status by age, education, religion, and types of family structure. The older adults with hearing impairment or dental problems had a significantly higher rate of severe disability. Self-rated health status and medical service utilization were also significant factors to the differences in functional status. The functional status of older adults was also significantly related to the presence of chronic health problems such as chronic back pain, stroke, and Alzheimer-dementia. Conclusion: The results confirmed that community dwelling older adults with low income status were more functionally disabled in comparison to general older adults at national level, while the relating factors to their functional status seemed similar to other studies on older adults. Further studies were suggested to look into functional status longitudinally and focus on the changes of functional status by managing modifiable influencing factors.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.81-93
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• 2020

Purpose: We developed and tested the effects of a care program for dementia patients among community- dwelling older adult men. Methods: This study used a non-equivalent control group pre-and post-test design. To verify the effectiveness of the care program for dementia patients, 26 community dwelling older adult men participated in this study. We used multiple intervention strategies including improving understanding of dementia through education, activities for dementia prevention, and promoting psychological change. In particular, based on the current understanding of the care of the men older adults, we used strategies to promote motivation and reinforce strengths. Results: After completing the 6-week intervention program, when compared with the control group, older adult men in the care program intervention group showed significant differences in scores for the following: cognitive functions (p=.035), attitude toward dementia (p=.026), preventive behavior (p=.007), geriatric depression (p=.013), caring confidence (p=.018), and self-esteem (p=.013). Conclusion: These results indicate that the care program for dementia patients has positive effects on increasing their cognitive function, attitude toward dementia, preventive behavior, caring confidence, self-efficacy, and on decreasing depression rates in this population. Based on this, we can recommend this program to men caregivers for the improved care of dementia in community centers.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.264-274
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• 2017

Purpose: This study examined the current state of death preparedness and factors related to the death preparedness among community-dwelling older adults in Korea. Methods: A total of 6,879 older adults' data, selected from the Korean National Survey on the Elderly 2014 data, were analyzed. The criteria for selection were responding to the questionnaires directly and normal cognitive function. Stratified sampling logistic regression analysis was conducted on the compiled data. Results: It was seen that 37.3% of older adults were prepared for death; specifically, 28.6% had arranged for resting places, 10.7% had purchased burial clothes, 6.8% had subscribed to mutual aid societies, 0.7% participated in death education, and 0.6% had signed a will. The results of logistic regression indicated that the older adults who were females, older age, religious, highly educated, more satisfied with their economic status, living in rural areas, and participating in more social activities were more likely to prepare for their deaths compared to their counterparts. Conclusion: Education programs that prepare for death need to target marginalized groups in the community, such as male older adults and whose participation in social activities or satisfaction with their economic status are relatively low.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.371-381
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was done to investigate the relationship of family function, self-esteem, life satisfaction, and general characteristics to loneliness in community dwelling Korean elders and identify factors affecting loneliness. Method: With a cross-sectional causal-relationship design and a convenience sample, 205 elders residing in three districts of the city of Seoul, S. Korea were recruited. Participants were assessed using the Family APGAR Score, Self-Esteem Scale, Life-Satisfaction Scale, and Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale. Results: The mean score for degree of loneliness (Mean=39.61, SD=10.09) was just below the mean for the scale (Possible range 20-80). Loneliness had significant negative correlations with family function (r= -.400, p<.001), self-esteem (r= -.399, p<.001), and life satisfaction (r= -.644, p<.001). Other general characteristics that had significant or nearly significant relationships with loneliness were perceived current financial and health status, whether doing any exercise or physical activities, degree of close relationship with family members, and length of living in current residence. Among variables, life satisfaction (Standardized ${\beta}\;=\;-.589$, p<.001) and length of living in current residence (Standardized ${\beta}\;=\;-.136$, p<.05) significantly predicted degree of loneliness. Conclusion: Findings of this study allow a comprehensive understanding of loneliness and related factors among community dwelling elders in Korea. However, further studies with a larger random sample from various living environments are necessary.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.584-594
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of visual and hearing impairment and to investigate the effect of visual and hearing impairment on depression and cognitive function in community-dwelling Korean elderly. Methods: The study population consisted of a representative community sample of 4,028 persons aged 65 and older from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging 2008. Depression and cognitive function were measured by CES-D 10-item scale and K-MMSE. Visual and hearing impairment were measured by 5-Likert scale. Data were analyzed using Rao-Scott ${\chi}^2$-test, simple and multiple logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of visual and hearing impairment were 37.3% and 14.0%, respectively. Of the participants, the prevalence of depression was 58.4% and cognitive impairment was 50.6%. There were significant differences in depression and cognitive function according to visual and hearing impairment. Far vision and hearing impairment were predictors for both depression and cognitive impairment even after covariates had been adjusted. Conclusion: These data suggest that visual and hearing impairment in older adults may increase their probability of experiencing depression and cognitive impairment. Thus sensory impairment should be considered a risk factor for mental health and the cognitive function of elderly.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.724-735
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• 2010

Purpose: In this study a cognitive enhancement group training program of 10 sessions was provided for communitydwelling elders and the effects on cognitive function, depression and quality of life were tested. Methods: A quasi-experimental study using a nonequivalent control group, pre-post design was used. The participants were 87 elders whose cognitive function was within the normal range. Of these elders, 45 were assigned to the experimental group and 42 to the control group. The intervention was conducted once a week for 10 weeks. Chi-square test, t-test, paired t-test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to analyze the data. Results: After the program, the cognitive function (t=-2.85, p=.006), depression (z=2.82, p=.005) and quality of life (t=2.79, p=.007) of the experimental group was significantly better than those of the control group. Especially, immediate recall (z=2.45, p=.014) and concentration (z=2.58, p=.010) in the subcategory of cognitive function were significantly better than that of the control group. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the cognitive enhancement group training program was effective in enhancing the cognitive function, depression and quality of life for elders and could therefore be considered as a positive program for emotional and cognitive support for community-dwelling elders.