• Journal of Korean Clinical Health Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.816-824
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• 2017

Purpose. This study was classified into normal and demented elderly through K-MMSE. The purpose of this study was to analyze gait characteristics of normal elderly and demented peoples using GAITRite walking system. Methods. The subjects of this study were selected as elderly people receiving home visit physical therapy. An independent t-test was conducted to verify the statistical significance of the time-space variables of the elderly with dementia. Results. Step time(p=0.041), cycle time(p=0.037), distance(p=0.024), and cadence(p=0.048) were significantly shorter in the normal elderly than in the demented elderly on flat place. The mean age was significantly longer in normal elderly than in elderly persons with dementia. Step time(p=0.022), cycle time(p=0.023), distance(p=0.019), and cadence(p=0.015) were significantly shorter in the mat walking. The mean age was significantly longer in normal elderly than in elderly patients with dementia. Stretch time, cycle time, distance, and hair support time were significantly shorter in the mat walking. The mean age of the elderly was significantly longer than that of the elderly with dementia. The spinal support time, which is a spatial variable, was significantly shorter in the normal elderly than in the demented elderly. Conclusions. It compares the various gait characteristics of the normal and demented elderly people, thereby increasing the walking ability of the elderly person more effectively. This study should be utilized as basic data for preventing fall-down.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.970-980
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of depression, sleep, and self-esteem on a dementia preventive behavior in rural elderly people. The participants were 235 elderly people aged 60 or older who lived in J-Gun, J-Do. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffe test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression with SPSS/WIN 25.0 program. There were significant differences in the dementia preventive behavior according to religion, the level of education, a cohabitation type, an economic level, and dementia education experience. Participants' dementia preventive behavior was positively correlated with self-esteem (r=.52, p<.001) and sleep (r=.31, p<.001). However, it was negatively correlated with depression (r=-.57, p<.001). Factors affecting the dementia preventive behavior were depression, self-esteem, and religion. The explanatory power of variables was 37%. To increase a dementia prevention behavior in rural elderly people, it is necessary to develop dementia prevention programs to reduce depression and improve self-esteem and to create social conditions to facilitate various social participations such as a religious activity.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to clarify the actual condition of the daily living activities of the elderly with dementia in nursing homes. The thorough investigation and observation works were made from the view points of daily living behaviors and behavioral places of the recuperating elderly with dementia in nursing homes. This article discusses about the basic characteristics of the elderly and the actual condition of the daily living activities of the elderly with dementia in 3 nursing homes. The results of this study are summarized as follows; There is no wide difference between skilled nursing facilities on the characteristic of living behaviors of the elderly with dementia. Daily living activities and the use of spaces are largely influenced by the daily program and the operation policy of each nursing homes in addition to human relationship of the elderly with dementia. Common spaces such as day room, dining room plays an important role for their daily living activities, because that most of the elderly with dementia stay long during daytime. Layout of each private room and common space seems very crucial point in designing these facilities, in order to enable demented people to live their lives more independently.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.79-88
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that affect quality of life in elderly people with dementia. Methods: The participants for this descriptive correlational study were 97 elderly patients with dementia who were attending a daycare center or were being cared for at home. Data were collected from the participants using the Mini-Mental Status Examination-Dementia Scale, the Geriatric Depression Scale (Short Form), Activity of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Scale. Results: There were statistically significant differences in quality of life of elders with dementia according to mobility, using dementia day-care center, and cohabitation. In multiple regression analysis, depression, activity of daily of living, using dementia day-care centers and cohabitation were significant predictors of quality of life and the four variables explained 60% of the variance in quality of life. Conclusion: Findings indicate that to enhance the quality of life for elders with dementia, depression needs to be decreased and regular use of daycare service recommended. Further, various programs enhancing physical ability need to be developed and used with these elders.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2010

This study is to realize the importance of the therapeutic environment of nursing facilities for elderly people; to comparatively analyze the therapeutic environment elements of the facilities in Gwangju, Jeonnam area, Seoul, and Japan by classifying the therapeutic environment elements according to two aspects on the basis of preceding studies; and to find out the differences among the three regional groupsnaFirst, all therapeutic elements were put together on the basis of two preceding studies based on the two aspects. Second, an expert group was organized primarily with architects and care-givers to find out the therapeutic environment elements of nursing facilities for elderly people with dementia, and to draw up an evaluation standard. Third, the regional differences were analyzed, by comparing the distribution of therapeutic elements of the facilities in Gwangju-Jeonnam area, Seoul, and Japan, through the found therapeutic environment elements. Consequently, eighteen therapeutic environment elements were found out of total 32 elements, and the elements were classified into nine factors based on the meaning of each element. The therapeutic environment elements were showed highest in Japan, and lowest in Gwangju-Chonnam area according to the comparative case analysis based on the nine factors. Especially, there were great regional differences in terms of awareness, safety, orientation, privacy, and freedom of choice.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.565-574
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• 2018

Previous studies have shown that forest therapy program can help prevent dementia. However, few studies have focused on low-income elderly people living alone. The current study examined the meanings that the elderly living alone receiving medical care assigned to the urban forest therapy program, as a way to understand the pathways that nature-based intervention affect preventing dementia. Twenty-one participants were recruited and they participated in a five-week urban forest therapy program. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 21 participants who experienced the urban forest therapy program, and analyzed qualitative data using thematic analysis. Results showed that all themes identified were related to connectedness with oneself, neighbors and nature. Awarenesses of change were consisted of positive and negative themes. The themes of positive awareness were improvements of mental and emotional condition, feelings of isolation and loneliness, and health-related lifestyle. The negative themes were terminations of short-term programs and inconvenient access to the urban forest. Based on these data, we suggest an urban green welfare framework for future research and interventions for preventing dementia of underprivileged elderly group.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.153-166
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which Swedish group home for elderly people with dementia coed be applied to the situation in Korea. One hundred and ninety six Korean subjects, responsible for supporting a member of their family afflicted with such an illness in their own homes, comprised the sample population for this study. Data was collected using questionnaires. frequency distribution, mean, and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. The results of this study indicated a great possibility for adapting these kinds of group home in Korea. The respondents showed positive opinions with the basic concepts and space plans of Swedish group homes excepts for some details, like the number of residents per room. The respondents felt that a group home for dementia with the fellowing features was desirable : smart scale, single-family detached house,3-4 rooms, a total of 6-8 residents, managed by non-profit organizations or the government at a monthly cost of 530,000-1,000,000 won. In order to develope these group homes for dementia people in Korea, political assistance, combined with economic support, are strongly needed. The successful establishment of a group home will contribute not only to the welfare of elderly people with dementia but to their families as well.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.223-231
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects on cognitive function, mood, problematic behaviors and response to interaction with robot pet by elderly people with dementia. Method: A methodological triangulation design with quantitative and qualitative methods was used. The participants were 9 elderly people with dementia. The intervention was conducted twice a week for 4 weeks, Qualitative data were collected by interviews and video-taping for analysis of the responses of participants, Results: 1) Cognitive function, mood and problematic behaviors did not show any significantly differences after the program. 2) Analysis of the responses showed increases in verbal communication and positive action. Conclusion: The robot pet program had positive effects such as increasing communication and interaction. Therefore, this program could be considered as an effective program for emotional support for elderly people with dementia. However further repetitive study is need to validate the result.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.557-564
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• 2018

Along with the aging society, the prevalence of dementia is also increasing. Dementia causes short-term memory loss as well as difficulties of performing daily activities and gradually causes suffering of the patients and their family. In spite of various programs for prevention of dementia of older people are being implemented, there is a lack of developing natural-based program for physical and mental health promotion. Therefore, it is necessary to develop programs for the elderly living alone who are more vulnerable to dementia because of their social and economic isolation. The purpose of this study was to develop a natural-based program and investigate the effects of 10 weeks forest therapy program for dementia prevention to improve the psychological and physical health of the elderly living alone. The experimental subjects were 30 elderly (aged 65 or older) and 31 elderly participated in control group. The Stress response, depressive symptoms, weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass and muscle mass were measured for pre and post test. The results showed that the experimental group showed subjective stress relief (t=5.249, p=.000), improvement in symptoms of depression (t=4.152, p=.000), and decreases in weight (t=2.686, p=.012), BMI (t=2.629, p=.014) and fat mass (t=2.918, p=.007) after the forest therapy program. The experimental group showed lower stress reactions(t=-7.185, p=.000) and less depressive symptoms (t=-5.303, p=.000) than control group after participating the program. These results suggest that periodic forest exposure can help having less stressful and depressive status than non-forest exposure and the forest therapy program can reduce participants' psychological and physical risk factors of dementia.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.75-84
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to identify factors that have impact on taking care of dementia elderly people by careworkers. 212 careworkers participated in the survey. The data was analyzed by SPSS/WIN 18.0 program. The mean score of knowledge of dementia was 16.19, and attitude was 34.42, and the level of care performance for elders with dementia was 102.18. It was shown that the more positive attitude the careworkers had, the higher level of care performance occurred(r=.41, p<.001). As a result of analyzing the main factors affecting the level of care performance for dementia elderly people, attitude toward dementia(${\beta}$=.41, p<.001) and the level of education(${\beta}$=.27, p<.001) appeared to be significant explanatory variables, and this model's explanatory power was 27%. To settle a long-term care insurance successfully, the qualifications for careworkers are needed to be reinforced, and the ways to improve a positive attitude towards dementia elderly are also required to be come up with.