• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.201-210
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• 2010

Over the past few decades, the proportion of elderly people in Korea has been rapidly increasing. In particular, rural areas are experiencing aging of communities more rapidly compared to urban areas. However, public policy for the elderly does not respond to the needs of rural elderly. To distribute health care resources equitably, it is necessary to gather reliable information on the health status of the elderly. The purpose of this study is to explore factors affecting Korean elderly people's ADL functional status. The data sources are from 2004 Elderly Living Condition Survey. The Analysis sample consists of 3,278 cases. Analysis results show that there is a significant residential variability in education, monthly stipend, living arrangement, subjective health status, regular food in-take, and regular exercise. Logistic regression analysis results also show that 'cognitive ability'(exp(B)=6.603), 'subjective health status'(exp(B)=4.576), 'age'(exp(B)=2.610), and 'living arrangement'(exp(B)=.589) are factors affecting ADLs. Namely, when a respondent's cognitive ability is limited, subjective health status is poor, or if their age is over 75, the probability of having a limited ADL has been 6.6 times, 4.6 times, and 2.6 times higher than otherwise. Among these variables, cognitive ability was the best explanation. In contrast, respondents who live with a spouse or adult children have a lower probability of having limited ADL compared with those who live alone. Considering that the most critical criteria in determining eligibility for social welfare services is ADLs, the development of appropriate ADL assessment tools is in an urgent need. Without the accurate assessment on ADLs, particularly on rural as well as the urban elderly, it seems to be hard to achieve effectiveness in the health care policy for the elderly.

• Archives of design research
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• v.19 no.1 s.63
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• pp.15-26
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• 2006

As the interest and use of computer have been increased among elderly users according to the entry to the aging society, the issue of universal design for computer usability was brought forward. Especially, it is widely recognized that universal UI(User Interlace) design on MS windows is important. The objective of this study is to conceptualize Universal GUI design on MS windows which can be used more easily and intuitively by novice users such as elderly and housewives. Especially, the solution for Universal GUI design on MS windows was developed by reflecting elderly users' needs because elderly users is the group with more difficulties than other user groups in learning and using MS windows. First, elderly user's needs was collected by participant observation as a teaching assistant in computer dass for elderly people for 4 weeks. Secondly, the experimental test and in-depth interview was implemented to find difficulties factors and needs in addition to participant observation. Based on the findings, the new GUI design solution was suggested. The design solution consists of ideas in several categories such as setting default, simplification of function for easy conceptual model making, customization of function and working environment, and intuitive GUI in interaction process. The new MS windows GUI design can be accessed by novice mode when user login in window XP. This study has the significance in finding elderly users detailed needs through in-depth and long term participant observation. However, the usability of the suggested prototype needs to be verified to various user groups besides elderly users in the future.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.311-321
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study was conducted an in-depth analysis of the subjective oral status and oral care needs according and problems of the elderly. Methods: A phenomenological research method was from April 13 to 30, 2023, 15 elderly people aged 65 or older in Gwangju and Jeolla regions were surveyed. Results: He was experiencing oral changes such as difficulty chewing, dry mouth and indigestion, sensitive teeth, smell of fear and feeling sensitive when eating sweet or cold food. They were burdened by the financial difficulties of dental treatment costs, the inconvenience caused by frequent visits, and the pain experienced during treatment. Realized the need for necessity of oral care education, and their confidence was restored through dental treatment. It was necessary the image recovery of dentistry, and they wanted to maintain oral health through the expansion of treatment health insurance. Conclusions: Consequently, it is necessary to develop a practical oral health management program for the elderly based on social communication regarding of the elderly and to expand health insurance coverage.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.25-37
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• 2009

This study investigated differences in related factors affecting life satisfaction with the elderly in or above middle class experiencing successful ageing. In the study, the respondents were 206 elderly people whose occupation (professional career) placed them in the middle and upper class range residing in metropolitan Seoul. Major results are summarized as follows: (1) In order to test gender differences, results of t-test show that there are 13 variables with seven of those being statistically significant and the rest being insignificant. (2) Needs fulfillment and physical functioning are significant factors for Korean male elders to be satisfied with their later lives. Needs fulfillment, physical functioning, group activity, and learning activity are significant factors for Korean female elders to be satisfied with their later lives.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.81-89
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• 2010

This study focuses on a concrete understanding of the characteristics of perceptions and needs about healthy housing of the elderly, who represent the most vulnerable group of people in society, on the four evaluation dimensions of healthy housing as part of the research for evaluation indicators development for housing health performance in apartments. First, it was found that the elderly perceive an environment where their physical health is well supported as the most important factor for healthy housing. Additionally, the management support of the housing was perceived as the second most important consideration. Second, the most frequently used area for the elderly is the living room and a desired place to be added to indoor spaces was a room of their own or a 'living room', which clearly indicates the importance of the indoor environment for the elderly. Third, the biggest factor for the interior environment that affected the satisfaction level of the elderly in their housing was largely based on the convenience factor that helped lesson the discomfort in their daily life due to the physical aging process, and also on factors related to the pleasant indoor surroundings. Based on the concepts discovered in this study on healthy housing, more concrete items should be developed in the future for an extensive indicator for health performance evaluation, and actual research on the general public should follow suit.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.441-454
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• 2021

This study analyzed consumer needs for the development of elderly-friendly HMR products in China. In developing the products, items needed to be improved, types and packages of the necessary products, additional improvements and food preferences were investigated. According to the demographic characteristics of elderly Chinese consumers, these was analyzed as well. A survey was conducted on a total of 370 elderly people, and data analysis was performed using SPSS 18.0 program. Items related to product quality safety, such as "marks of origin by ingredient", "rich nutrients", "expansion of letter size of packaging", "rich nutrients" and "clear manufacturing date and expiration date", were required to develop HMR products. The types of products that should be developed were porridge and noodles, and the packaging types that should be developed were eco-friendly packaging and recycled packaging. In addition, "low-calorie HMR", "development of various seasonings", "use of eco-friendly food ingredients" and "HMR to digest easily" should be improved. The demand for product improvement and food preference showed significant differences according to the degree of education, monthly income and oral health. The results were intended to prepare basic data for setting the direction when developing elderly-friendly HMR.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.65-72
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• 2007

What is the meaning of home to older people? How much is home significant for older people? How do they express self-identity through decorating their own homes? These are the new subjects that scholars in the West are involved in lately in terms of micro-perspective (George, 1998; Kellett, Gilroy & Jason, 2005; Gilroy & Kellett, 2006). It is evident that home has more significant meaning to older people than other age groups, since the older are more likely to spend greater time within the home through lower income, lessening mobility or loss of companions (Gilroy, 2005). Also the older tend to cling to their homes and attach to possessions than the younger. Older people's possessions are the things that memories of their lives were absorbed. Therefore, possession display can role as a mean of showing their past lives and memories. Gilroy and her colleagues (2005, 2006) found that there was a certain pattern of possession display in English older people's households, and that older people would like to express self-identity through decorating their own homes with their precious possessions. Then, isn't it interesting to find out if there is any pattern of possession display or decoration items in Korean older people's households as well? Thus, the aim of this study is to describe pattern of possession display as a mean of expressing self-identity in Korean older people's households. Interview with older people was used to find out the way and reason of display possessions. Observation method including taking photos and hand-drawings was also added in order to demonstrate detail condition of display items in the house. Possessions display and furniture arrangement in the living room and bedroom were investigated to find out a certain pattern of display and meaning. Research objects were healthy older people aged over 60, who are living independently from their adult children, and who can manage housekeeping by themselves. 32 households were investigated in the area of Seoul, Kyunggi, Chungchungnam, and Kangwon provinces. The findings demonstrate that most precious possession for Korean older people is photo of themselves; especially one taken in their younger age. The reason of it is because the photo reminds them of their heydays when they were vital. Photo of the most beloved one is displayed more frequently in the bedroom than in the living room indicating consistence with English case. As symmetrical display pattern was dominant in case of English older people's households, no dominant display pattern is found in Korean case. Korean older people also cling to their homes and possessions and want to keep their dwelling space as large as what they use now. It is notable that even after they become older and frail, they want sufficient space to display possessions as a mean of self-identity expression. Attachment to possessions and decoration can give older people significant meaning of identity, and it is the reason why architects or interior designers have to meet older people's needs. It needs consideration that residents are allowed to bring their old furniture and precious possessions when they move in elderly housing unit in order to minimize environmental shock, as well as feeling at home. This subject could suggest a clue to designers or architects who have to meet residents' needs in space design of elderly housing or facilities in the future. Psychological well-being of older people can be met by making them feel at home wherever they live. They need space where they can express their own identity and personality even in case when they have to live in a limited small space like elderly housing unit or nursing home.

• Proceeding of Spring/Autumn Annual Conference of KHA
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• 2011.04a
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• pp.65-68
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• 2011

The average increase in life expectancy obtained as a gift of modern science cannot hold itself responsible for extended life's happiness. It admits of no argument that the necessity of social preparation for minimizing bad health and longevity of unhappiness to aged people who are in the state of these continuous growth. Recently, because of an aging trend, targeting on elderly housing expected continuous increased demand in housing market, this study is to comprehend it's characteristic and offer implications. For the characteristic of elderly housing, firstly it needs scientific analysis of related theory and analysis of statistical data. Also this study aims to look through and suggest an alternative included the special matters of Korean society with advanced foreign country's analysis of an alternative. And judging from economic characteristics of elderly housing to be presented as an important factor, choices of housing according to economic level are anticipated to show different forms. In future, to supply elderly housing, therefore, the introduction of the concept of housing providing various opportunity of choice is necessary. If studies proceed through expanded alternative, it is judged to be able to draw more varied results in elderly housing. Also, if going along with political dimension study, it is expected to offer more specific and effective solutions of the problem of elderly housing.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.1-12
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• 2004

This study was designed to search for the direction to develop housing service which assists the older people to live independently in their community and provides the systematization of community care. The subjects of the research include 533 older people between the age of 60 to 79 residing in Seoul and 84 welfare officials at a dong(in)-office and 67 social workers working at comprehensive social welfare institutions. The results were as follows: Both demanders and deliverers recognized that housing service for older people was necessary for community care, and, in particular, the deliverers had higher degree of necessity as people charged in welfare service. The most needed service was community alarm service which currently is proceeded partially for low-income and living-alone olders. It needed to expand the scope of the people to be served. It appeared that the need for inside safety measures rather than for housing space or structural problems. It requires less effort and cost for those who need simple repair, such as safety grips or slippery protection, and safety checks. Among financial support services, the need for tax benefits appeared the most necessary service for the older people. It suggested that more 'direct' financial support service is needed for the elderly people.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.47-64
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• 1998

This study was conducted to collect the baseline data of physical health status and nursing needs of the elderly for developing an educational program for nursing professionals. The data was collected from 287 people who were 65 years old or older belonging to a selected 8 out of the 39 welfare centers in Pusan during the period from February 25 to November 30, 1996. Socio-demographic characteristics, frequency of hospitalization, and the prevalence of chronic illnesses were measured to assess the physical health status of the center's elderly admitted to the hospital during the period of data collection. The 5-point Likert-type scale composed of 20 items was used. The data was analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Program (SPSS PC+). The results were summarized as follows : 1. The proportion of elderly subjects with chronic illnesses was 73.6%. Among 6 types of chronic illnesses, hypertension was the most prevalent(23.7%), cardiovascular disease was the second(18.1%), gastrointestinal disease the third(17.1%), musculosskeletal disease the fourth(12.9%), liver and biliary disease the fifth(12.5%), and diabetes the sixth. 2. The average score of the subjects' health status was 3.649 on the 5-point Likert scale. Among the 6 factors related to physical health, personal hygiene was the strongest factor(4.612) ; elimination was the second(4.491) ; sensation the third(4.369), outside activity the fourth(3.675), digestion the fifth(3.331), and sexual life the sixth. 3. Gender, marital status, religion, educational level, family structure, living arrangements, and perceived health status were significantly related to the elderly's physical health status. 4. Among the nursing needs of the elderly, emotional support and care was the strongest need(74.2%) ; physical therapy was the second(73.2%) ; education about diease control the third(64.8%) ; medication the fourth(63.8%) ; and the range of motion exercise the fourth(61.0%).