• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.94-105
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• 2022

Background: As South Korea enters an aged society, the government has emphasized the need for a soft landing of the older adults into the community after the acute and recovery periods under a national policy of "community care." However, the institutionalization of community rehabilitation services to implement this is insufficient. Japan had already entered an aged society when the Long-Term Care Insurance System was introduced in 2000. Thus, the case of Japan's institutionalization of the system is expected to have implications for us in supplementing a suitable system for the aged society. Objects: This study compared the institutionalization process of the Long-Term Care Insurance System in South Korea and Japan and the services currently being implemented in each country. Methods: To examine the institutionalization process and services of the system, related legal rules and regulations, government reports, and articles were reviewed. To examine the operation status of the system, statistical data provided by each country's government were analyzed. Results: Japan recognized the importance of community rehabilitation even before the enactment of Long-Term Care Insurance. Thus, community rehabilitation services, such as home-visit rehabilitation and health facilities, were already stipulated in the law. Under such institutional legacy, Long-Term Care Insurance was able to establish a service system, which balanced welfare and health-related services, including various types of services with enhanced rehabilitation functions. In South Korea, rehabilitation policies were not much considered in the process of institutionalizing the system; thus, it was composed mainly of services focusing on care and recuperation. Conclusion: In order to realize community care, rehabilitation services need to be developed in Long-Term Care Insurance System in various forms such as home-visit services, daily services, short stay, and facility services.

• Journal of Internet of Things and Convergence
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.19-31
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• 2023

The importance of barrier free is being highlighted worldwide. This study attempted to identify barrier-free research trends using text mining. Through this, it was intended to help with research and policies to create a barrier free environment. The analysis data is 227 papers published in domestic academic journals from 1996 when barrier free research began to 2022. The researcher converted the title, keywords, and abstract of an academic thesis into text, and then analyzed the pattern of the thesis and the meaning of the data. The summary of the research results is as follows. First, barrier-free research began to increase after 2009, with an annual average of 17.1 papers being published. This is related to the implementation guidelines for the barrier-free certification system that took effect on July 15, 2008. Second, results of barrier-free text mining i) As a result of word frequency analysis of top keywords, important keywords such as barrier free, disabled, design, universal design, access, elderly, certification, improvement, evaluation, and space, facility, and environment were searched. ii) As a result of TD-IDF analysis, the main keywords were universal design, design, certification, house, access, elderly, installation, disabled, park, evaluation, architecture, and space. iii) As a result of N-Ggam analysis, barrier free+certification, barrier free+design, barrier free+barrier free, elderly+disabled, disabled+elderly, disabled+convenience facilities, the disabled+the elderly, society+the elderly, convenience facilities+installation, certification+evaluation index, physical+environment, life+quality, etc. appeared in a related language. Third, as a result of the CONCOR analysis, cluster 1 was barrier-free issues and challenges, cluster 2 was universal design and space utilization, cluster 3 was Improving Accessibility for the Disabled, and cluster 4 was barrier free certification and evaluation. Based on the analysis results, this study presented policy implications for vitalizing barrier-free research and establishing a desirable barrier free environment.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.62-76
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• 2003

This study was a quasi-experimental study of non-equivalent control group pretest and posttest design. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Tai Chi exercise program on physical functions, psychological functions, and fall among the fall-prone elderly. The data were collected from September 19, 2001 to January 31, 2002. The study, conducted at two facilities located in Kwang-ju, was targeted to the ambulatory aged 60 years or older who had at least one of the key fall risk factors. Experimental group participated in Tai Chi exercise for 40 minutes per one time and three times a week for 12weeks at an auditorium. Fifty nine fall-prone elderly were assigned to 12-week Tai Chi exercise program (n=29) and control group (n=30). They underwent tests of lower muscle strength, time for chair stand, balance, flexibility, depression, falls efficacy, fear of falling, and numbers of fall at the baseline and at the 12th week. Numbers of fall and fall injuries were monitored for 16 weeks(12-weeks intervention plus 4-week follow-up periods) using fall calendar. Each participant was given a calendar to record the numbers of fall per day for a month. The calendars were collected at the last week of each month. 1. Tai Chi exercisers showed significant improvement in the strength of knee flexors, and ankle dorsiflexors and plantarflexors compared to the control group. The experimental group had improvement in the strength of knee extensors while the control group did not, with no statistical significance. 2. Tai Chi exercisers reported positive change in the average time of chair stand as compared to the control group. 3. Tai Chi exercisers had significant improvement in flexibility as compared to the control group. 4. There was no significant difference in the depression between the two groups, even though the Tai Chi exercisers maintained depression score in the same level while the others were increased. 5. Tai Chi exercisers showed significant improvements in the falls efficacy as compared to the control group. The falls efficacy was significantly improved among the experimental group while the opposite was identified among the control group. 6. The experimental group reported the significant reduction of the fear of fall, whereas control group reported the opposite. 7. Of the 59 subjects for 16weeks(12weeks intervention period and 4weeks follow up), 9 (31.0%) of the 29 in exercise group and 15 (50%) of the 30 in the control group fell (relative risk=0.62. 95% CI 0.32-1.19), even with no statistical difference. The results suggest that the Tai Chi exercise program can improve the strength of knee flexors, ankle dorsiflexors and plantarflexors, chair stand. flexibility, falls efficacy, and fear of falling for the fall-prone elderly.

• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.57-64
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• 2015

Objective : This study shown that effects of the group reminiscence program for dementia elderly. Methods : In this study, dementia was divided into two groups who has used K Welfare Center of day care facilities located in Gimhae, the experimental group(14 patients) and control group(15 patients) was carried out by dividing the experiment twice a week, total of 12 times. Using the evaluation tool of Korea type elderly depression scale(Geriatric Depression Scale in Korea; GDS-K), the level of depression in the dementia was compared before and after. Results : Experimental group of GDS-K was pre-score was $20.8{\pm}1.4$ point, post-score was $13.5{\pm}1.7$ point so statistically significant decreased(z=-3.30, p<.0.5), Pre-score of controlled group is $20.9{\pm}2.3$ point post score was $21.0{\pm}2.6$ point, there was no statistically significant difference(p<.05). As a result of this study, the experimental group decreased depression than control group(p<.05). Conclusion : Through this study, it shown that reminiscence program help depression of dementia decreased. Therefore, reminiscence program that anyone can easily adapt is proposed as a method of reducing depression in dementia.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.216-223
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to investigate factors affecting the assessment of objective and subjective masticatory ability in the elderly, and to evaluate masticatory ability assessment more accurately. Methods: A total of 112 participants were recruited after oral examination in senior citizen welfare facilities. The participants' masticatory ability was evaluated objectively (Mixing ability index; MAI), and subjectively (Key food intake ability; KFIA). Participants' general characteristics and oral health-related variables were also recorded. Based on masticatory ability assessment, participants were classified as either high or low. IBM SPSS Statistics Ver.23.0 was used for all analyses, including descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman rank correlation, and Logistic regression analysis. Results: Higher masticatory ability was positively correlated with higher scores on MAI and KFIA. Additionally, there was a significant positive correlation between MAI and KFIA. When analyzing factors affecting objective and subjective masticatory ability assessments, Functional tooth units (FTUs) were revealed as a related factor. In subjective masticatory ability assessment, oral moisture, difficulty in chewing, and the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) were also influential factors. Conclusions: In order to accurately assess masticatory ability, it is necessary to use both objective and subjective measures. Additionally, to improve the masticatory ability in the elderly, treatment should be provided to improve overall oral health and satisfaction.

• 한국노년학
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.569-592
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• 2018

This study purported to investigate the current state of human rights of older adults residing in rural areas of Korea. The study utilized, as an analytic framework, 4 priority directions (1. "older persons and development", 2. "rural area development", 3. "advancing health and well-being into old age", and 4. "ensuring enabling and supportive environments") with 13 task actions recommended by Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA). Furthermore, the study examined gender differences in all items included in the analytic framework. Data was collected by the face-to-face survey on 800 subjects aged 65 and over. Statistical analyses were conducted using STATA 13.0 program. The main results were summarized in order of 4 priority directions as follows. First, average working hours per day were 6.2, and men reportedly participated in economic activities and needed job training more than women, while women participated in lifelong education programs more than men. Awareness of fire and disaster prevention facilities was low in both genders. Second, accessibility to the support center for the elderly living alone as well as protective services for the vulnerable elderly was found to be low. IT-based services and networking were used more by men than women, and specifically, IT-based financial transactions and welfare services were least used. Third, medical check-ups and vaccinations were well received, while consistent treatments for chronic illnesses and long-term care services were relatively less given. In addition, accessibility to mental health service centers was considerably low. Fourth, although old house structures and the lack of convenience facilities were found to be circumstantial risk factors for these elders, experiences of receiving housing support services were scarce. The elderly were found to rely more on informal care, and concerns for their care were higher in women than men. Plus, accessibility to elderly abuse services was markedly low. Based on these results, discussed were implications for implementing policies and practical interventions to raise the levels of the human rights for this population.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.42-50
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was aimed to analyze how social workers understand the rights for elderly patient and family caregiver to make end-of-life (EOL) care decisions and their roles the decision making process. Methods: The study employed a quantitative research method of collecting data from a structured questionnaire that was filled out by 334 social workers at long-term care facilities. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, mean differences, correlation between variables, using SPSS 20.0 program. Results: The mean score for the understanding the rights to an EOL care decision was $3.46{\pm}0.69$ and of their own roles $3.48{\pm}0.84$. The level of understanding significantly differed by social workers' experience of assisting a process to make an EOL care decision such as advance directives and life sustaining treatment, work experience, and the number of beds. Positive correlation was observed between the level of understanding of the rights for EOL care decisions and of social workers' roles (Pearson r=0.329, P<0.001). Conclusion: This study proposes development of an education program for social workers and devising standards for the EOL care decision making process to protect elderly patients, family caregivers as well as social workers in a long term care facility.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.259-273
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• 2009

Purpose: This research was conducted to determine the effects of a multifactorial fall prevention program applying HSEP(Home Support Exercise Program) on physical balance and gait, leg strength, fear of falling and falls efficacy of the community-dwelling elderly. Method: The design of this study was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. There were 20 subjects in the experimental group and 21 in the control group. The fall prevention program consists of HSEP and fall related education. The intervention was performed for once a week in the senior citizen center and twice a week at home for 8 weeks. Results: There were significant differences in physical balance and gait, leg strength(hip extensor, hip flexor, knee flexor, ankle plantarflexor, ankle dorsiflexor) and falls efficacy between the experimental group and control group. Conclusion : The fall prevention program applying HSEP used in this study was very effective in increasing physical balance and gait, leg strength and falls efficacy. Finally this study would recommended that a fall prevention program applying HSEP should be extended to community facilities such as elderly welfare center and nursing home.

• 한국노년학
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.1199-1215
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to investigate the determinants of job satisfaction among care givers. Finding out the determinants of job satisfaction among care givers, the dependent variables were defined 3 groups with 9 sub-factors, such as personal factors of growth needs and self-efficacy, job factors of job diversity, job autonomy, job importance, role clarity and workload, organizational factors of comradeship, education & training. For the study, data were collected form 479 care givers working in 52 care facilities of Chung Nam Province and analyzed them by regression analysis technique using the SPSS 20.0 statistical package. The results are as followings, job diversity, job importance, comradeship, education & training have positive effects on job satisfaction respectively, workload effects on it negatively, but growth needs, self-efficacy, job autonomy, role clarity no effectiveness on job satisfaction. Based on the results of study, theoretical implications are discussed for care givers to promote the job satisfaction and suggested the directions for further study. Further more, the findings provide the basic sources for care giver human resource management in long term care facilities which are suffering from recruiting of care giver, and it also contribute to successful management of long term care insurance system as a meaningful suggestion.

• The Journal of the Korean Institute of Forest Recreation
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.59-69
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• 2018

This is a cross-sectional study that suggests ways to activate forest welfare services (FWS) by investigating the infrastructure, service status, and perception on FWS in Korea. In August 2016, a structured email survey was conducted in nation widely. The respondents were mostly directors and general secretary (75.0%). The considerable number (16.3%) of nursing homes (NH) use some floors of the complex buildings that would be difficult to have FWS infrastructure and about 30% of those without forests near the facilities. The directors of NH recognize that FWS has positive effects on the elderly. However, FWS is not an requisite of the longterm care insurance benefit, and so costly and effort-intensive that FWS has not been activated so far. In order to activate FWS in NHs, it is necessary to develop and disseminate the guidelines on FWS that anyone can easily followed. In addition, when the National Health Insurance Corporation evaluates NHs, they should evaluate not only whether there is a wandering or walking space, but also whether it has forest healing factors such as forests. It is also necessary to create a barrier-free environment both inside and outside of NHs, increasing accessibility to the toilet in gardens, paving a passage for wheelchairs and lifts in forests near NHs. Through these efforts, it is expected that FWS will be activated to provide physical, mental rest and comfort, appropriate cognitive stimulation to the NH residents at the end of life.