• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.301-310
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• 2018

This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between physical function (ADL, IADL) and mental function (depression, cognitive dysfunction) and quality of life in the elderly. The subjects of this study were 524 elderly people aged 65 or older who were admitted to 15 care facilities located in D metropolitan city. Data were collected through a personal interview conducted by interviewers that visited each care facility from November 2015 to January 2016. T-tests and ANOVA were used to compare the quality of life score for each independent variable, while multiple regression was used to determine the explanatory power of independent variables that affected quality of life. Quality of life was significantly lower among those of older age, lower educational level, living alone, with lower relationships with children, lower subjective health status, disability, lower ability for mastication, without regular eating habits, without regular exercise, and without regular health checkups. In addition, quality of life was significantly lower in the ADL and IADL, as well as among those with a higher depression level and lower cognitive impairment scores than their respective counterparts. The results of this study suggest that the quality of life among elderly that have been admitted to care facilities is significantly related to physical and mental functions as well as demographic characteristics, health status and health related behavioral characteristics.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.222-232
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of music therapy using Korean traditional rhythmic modes on the upper extremity function of elderly people with dementia. The subjects of this study were 13 patients at the age of 65 or more with dementia receiving long-term care in a nursing home in B City. It was analyzed that the effects of music therapy through the evaluation of manual function test (MFT), Activities of daily living (ADL), Korea dementia rating scale-2 test before and after the experiment. As a result, both of the scores of MFT and ADL were higher than after music therapy(p <.05) as well as Korea dementia rating scale-2 test score(management part). This indicates that the music therapy using Korean traditional rhythmic modes could improve function of the upper extremity with dementia as well as activities of daily living and management of dementia care. In conclusion, music therapy would be helpful to the improvement of not only the physical but also the cognitive function of elderly people with dementia, and it could be effectively employed in clinical settings.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Planning & Design
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.41-51
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• 2020

As there are the elderly who have difficulty in evacuating themselves, it is necessary to develop architectural and institutional planning for nursing homes that can minimize disaster damage. The purpose of this study was to suggest the improvement plan by grasping the current status of nursing homes on planning aspects such as floor plan type, spatial layout, and evacuation route through 14 case studies in Cheongju city in terms of disaster safety. The results of this study were as follows; the most common plan type was the grouped-corridor type difficulty in securing evacuation routes. The circulation corridor type is need to be considered because it is possible not only to secure evacuation and nursing routes, but also to create a hanging around corridor for the elderly with dementia. Second, if there is a risk of flooding due to the location, the living room should be placed on the 2nd floor or more. In particular, a kitchen should be placed not adjacent to the entrance and the vertical evacuation route. Third, the horizontal evacuation route should be arranged differently depending on the floor plan type. For vertical evacuation routes, it is necessary to install outdoor stairs or ramps considering the evacuation characteristics of the elderly. In addition, the institutional aspects should be considered to ensure the safety of disasters.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.348-358
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• 2002

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing regular exercise of the elderly in discriminating regular exercise and non - regular exercise groups. Method: The subjects of this study were 167 elderly over the age of 60, living in a rural city in Korea. The data was collected by interview and self report questionnaire in 1999. The Cronbach 's alpha of scales used this study were .66 ~.97. Result: 1. There were significant differences in doing regular exercise between the perceived importance of the health(p=021), the perceived health status(p=.050), the perceived need of the exercise(p=000), the perceived importance of the exercise(p=.000), the intent of participation in the exercise program(p=.000), IADL score(p=.022), the perceived benefits of exercise (p=.000), the emotion of exercise(p=.000), HPLP(p=.000), the self efficacy(p=.001), the perceived benefits of health promoting behaviors(p= .011), the perceived barriers of the health promoting behaviors(p=.002), and the Internal locus of control(p=.021) of the elderly. 2. Variables which showed significance for discriminating regular exercise of the elderly in this study were the perceived need of the exercise(p=.000) and the perceived benefits of the exercise(p=.000). By using the combination of these variables, the possibility of proper prediction for predicting regular exercise group was 84.8 %, non - regular exercise group was 93.9%, and total Hit ratio was 89.4%. Conclusion: To improve exercise behavior in older adults, health care providers should focus of developing interventions to strengthen the perceived benefits, the perceived needs of the exercise.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.1-18
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• 2009

This study has been performed to explore process of forming low cost small site housing communities and residential lives of the young elderly around small cities along rural counties of America and Canada, and suggest future implications for Korea. In this study, five low cost small housing zones such as cottage and mobile home parks in non-metropolitan counties of California and Ontario State such as Weed, Paradise, Sun City,, Wellington on the Lake, and Trenton were visited and the elderly residents and service experts were interviewed. The senior concentrating housing clusters were formed primarily from influx of both metropolitan and rural residents for the purpose of seeking warmful localities, traffic connections, and business purposes in theme focused production areas. On the other hand, residential lives in the zones are occasionally negatively influenced by unbalanced concentrations of elderly facilities such as nursing stations and funeral homes. For the future of Korean rural elderly policies, suggestions are made as follows: first, integrated forms of urban and rural township need to be settled as attracting places for early retiring people who seek low cost pastoral oriented but culturally activated environment. Second, a model town of mobile housing structures needs to be initiated as a measure of evaluating adaptation process of those movers. Third, a cooperation system among governmental ministries needs to be formed in order to integrate a long term master plan of establishing traditional rural town of independent housing districts. fourth, productive and active lifestyles need to be maintained for government lead retirement rural villages by limiting expansion of nursing related facilities around the independent areas. Fifth, visiting welfare service programs and volunteer groups need to be further developed for the housing area especially in winter time, when social integration and emotional comforts are extremely limited.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.296-304
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of a senior functional game (Rejuvenescent village) on cognitive function, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), depression, and life satisfaction in Korea. Methods: An one-group pretest-posttest design was used in this study. Data were collected twice (at the beginning and the end) from 100 elderly adults in S city who played "Rejuvenescent village" 8 times (twice per week, one hour per session) for a month. Also they completed questionnaires on their cognitive function, IADL, depression, life satisfaction, and general characteristics. The data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 programs. Results: The mean age was 70.06(${\pm}3.77$) years, with a range of 65-80 years old. Among 100 subjects, 21% were male and 85% were young old. There were statistically significant differences in cognitive function (t=-3.32, p=.001), IADL (t=1.98, p=.049), and life satisfaction (t=-2.15, p=.034). Although there was no statistically significant difference in mean depression score (t=1.06, p=.292), categorized depression was statistically significant (${\chi}^2=62.97$, p<.001). Conclusion: The findings in this study show that the serious game (Rejuvenescent village) was effective for older Koreans' cognitive function, IADL, depression, and life satisfaction. Thus, we need to consider senior functional games to get health benefits by making elderly adults active with enjoyment.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.337-344
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• 2007

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the level of quality of life (QOL) and to identify its related factors among the elderly using a hall for the aged. Methods: The study subjects were 350 elderly people living in Nam Gu, Gwangju City. They were interviewed by questionnaire to collect information on social-demographic characteristics, health behaviors, health-related characteristics and QOL. We used statistical analysis methods such as T-test, ANOVA and multiple regression analysis to find which factors affected QOL. Results: The characteristics relating to physical functions were as follows: presence of spouse, education, alcohol drinking, teeth condition, arthritis, frequency of visiting the hall for the aged, and depression. Age, arthritis and depression were significantly related to role limitation due to physical problems. General health was related to gender, age, and depression, and vitality was related to education, frequency of visiting the hall, and depression. Role limitation due to emotional problems was related to age and depression, and mental health was related to age, hypertension, arthritis and depression. Conclusions: This study showed QOL of the elderly was significantly influenced by socio-demographic factors, and physical or emotional conditions. To improve QOL of the elderly, we need to develop programs to promote health and to manage chronic diseases of the elderly.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.641-653
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• 2000

A quantitative descriptive survey was conducted to assess the needs of elderly people in relation to accessibility of medical care. Identifying their functional status was done and accessibility of medical care was ascertained. Using a convenient sampling method, 856 elderly aged 65 and over in Taejon-city participated. A multi-dimensional questionnaire containing sections on health status, Activities of Daily Living(ADLs) and accessibility of medical care in terms of use, time, distance, transport, cost and feeling at ease was developed by the researchers of this study to collect data. Data were collected between October and December, 1999. In general, the result of the self-reports from this study found that approximately 40% of participants had difficulties with their health status and ADLs while about 45% of the population did not access medical care. The majority of respondents stated that they had no difficulties with time distance and transport to access medical care. About two-thirds of the respondents felt that they had many or some difficulties with expenses and strategies for emergency to access medical care. Even though these findings need to be generalized, several recommendations for appropriate medical care delivery for the elderly still can be outlined from the study findings. Recommendations suggested are: To identify impediments to access medical care in emergency in elderly people and to remove those factors preventively are required. Responsible governmental involvement for solving problems of the medical care cost and additional costs in relation to separation of dispensary from medical practice for the elderly is required. More constructive and practical uses of public health community centers are recommended.

• Design Convergence Study
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.199-211
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• 2016

The study examined how age-friendly their living environments the aged perceived and it's significant difference depending on their characteristics. The subject were 96 old persons who aged more than 60 years and lived in Nagasaki city, Japan. They asked how far each neighborhood facility related to the aged was located from their houses, and the age-friendliness of walk way, traffic, multi-family houses for the aged, and interior space of their living houses. Data were collected by using one to one interview. Results were as follows: 1) Most neighborhood facilities related to the aged were located within a walking distance or 10 min. distance by bus from their houses. 2) Among 5 areas of living environments, while traffic, house interior, and pedestrians road were relatively age-friendly, the amount of multi-unit dwellings for the elderly and the usability of wheelchair users in house interior were not age-friendly. 3) Age and education level of the aged influenced on the age-friendliness of their living environments.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.425-440
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to understand the ability of the elderly to activity of daily living, assess their quality of sleep and level of depression at home and analyze how such relate health related quality of life. The subject was 223 senior over 65 years old who lived in B Metropolitan City. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation and stepwise multiple regression were performed using SPSS WIN 14.0. The major findings of this study are as follow: 1) 34.1% of the respondents experienced a degree of sleep disorder and 57.8% were vulnerable to depression. 2) Activity of daily living, quality of sleep and depression were related to health related quality of life to a statistically significant degree. quality of sleep, activity of daily living positively related to health related quality of life. level of depression related to health related quality of life. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed the most powerful predictor of health related quality of life was depression. While age, level of education and quality of sleep were also found as significant predictor variables. Based on these results, it is necessary to perform more studies on health related quality of life and related factors according to that in various settings. Especially, to develop a program intended to improve the health related quality of life of the elderly at home, we need to consider not only physical factors but also psychological factors.