• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.739-747
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• 2008

Purpose: This study aimed to uncover the fundamental nature of living alone in female elderly. Methods: The phenomenological research approach developed by van Manen was adopted. Results: The theme was 'taking a firm stand alone on the edges of life'. The composition elements of living alone experienced by elderly women were as follows: 1) Corporeality: participants perceived their bodies by their health status. Unhealthy participants were suffering with diseases and dependant on other persons, while healthy participants were free from family responsibility and kept on moving. 2) Spatiality: participants felt both freedom and loneliness while they stayed home. 3) Relationality: participants felt pity and yearning for their bereaved husband and sometimes talked to his picture. According to their children's filial piety, participants were pleased or displeased. However, they incessantly devoted themselves to their children. 4) Temporality: participants considered the rest of their life as extra-time which was proceeding to death, and tried to keep themselves busy before they died. Conclusion: A nurse should understand the multifarious aspects of elderly women's life, and then intervene to consolidate their strengths for self-supporting the final years of life.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.259-266
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to compare balance ability according to the immersion level of virtual reality-based training for the balance enhancement of the elderly. Methods: This study included 48 elderly people aged 65 years and older (male 16, female 32). According to the immersion level of applied virtual reality training, 16, 17, and 15 persons were randomly assigned to full immersion, semi-immersion, and control groups. The subjects who were assigned to the full immersion group and semi-immersion group received virtual reality training for 6 weeks at 20 min at a time, 3 times per week. The control group received no intervention. Balance ability was evaluated by measuring the stability limit and the tandem walking test before and after the intervention. Results: Results showed significant differences among the three groups in the limit of stability of all directions and the tandem walking test after the intervention. The results of the limit of stability showed a significantly higher value in the full-immersion group than in the control group, and the results of the tandem walking test showed a significantly lower value in the full-immersion and semi-immersion groups than in the control group. Conclusion: The results indicate that the head-mounted display equipment for applying full-immersion virtual training is the most effective in enhancing the balance ability of the elderly.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.715-721
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of the study is to investigate the perception of elderly oral health care in the care workers in nursing homes. Methods : A self-reported questionnaire was filled out by 200 care workers in nursing homes in Daegu and Busan. Data were analyzed by SPSS 18.0 program. Results : The oral health care was maintained by innately healthy mouth(49.5%), dentists(48.5%), public health centers including institution and dentistry(46.5%), regular visit to dentistry(44.0%), and ingestion of healthy food(38.5%). Fifty eight percent of the respondents(116 persons) agreed that regular and proper toothbrushing is the most important behavior to maintain the healthy teeth. The regular visit to dental clinics(Wald=7.076, p=0.008) and an oral care by specialist (Wald=5.210, p=0.022) influenced on elderly oral health status(p<0.05). Conclusions : The oral health care education is very important for the workers in the nursing homes that the education can improve the perception toward the elderly oral health.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.553-559
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to define a one-portion size of food frequently consumed by the Koreans aged 65 years or over. From the original 8,631 people who took part in the Forth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(KNHANES IV-2) 2008, we analyzed the data on 1,458 persons (16.9%) aged 65 and over, and selected food items consumed based on the intake frequency of 30 or more by all participant. A total of 158 varieties of food items were selected. The portion size of food items was set on the basis of the median amount (50 percentile) in a single intake by a single person. In the cereals category, 13 items were selected, of which the most frequently consumed item was well-polished rice with portion size of 75 g. Among legumes, 7 items were selected, of which the most frequent item was dried black soybean with a portion size of 6 g. Among the 16 groups, the most varied food group (49 items) was vegetables, and among these the most frequently occurring item was garlic (5 g), while among the fruit group, only 11 items were selected, as their intake frequency was low. Fish and shellfish were more frequently consumed by the elderly than meats. The most frequently consumed meat was pork loin, with a portion size of 30 g. In fish and shellfish, the most frequently consumed item was dried and boiled large anchovy with a portion size of 2 g. Portion sizes for food items consumed regularly by the elderly may be conveniently and effectively used in dietary planning and in nutritional education programs, and in assessing the diet intake status of the elderly.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.242-251
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to examine disparities in food and nutrient intakes based on family types identified among 1,856 participants who were the Korean elderly people in the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHNES) excluding those who were currently practicing the diet therapy. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We separated the subjects into two groups: living alone (LA, n = 638) and living with a spouse (LS, n = 1,218). We also examined the disparities of dietary quantity and quality of those two groups using complex sampling design general linear regression analyses (CS GLM). RESULTS: In the LA group, there was a higher percentage of females and average age in LA group was higher than the participants in the LS group. Household income and education level were significantly lower in LA compared to those of LS. The frequencies of skipping meals were higher in LA. LA's food and nutrient intakes showed lower consumption of vegetables, fruits, seaweeds, and of most nutrients. Even after adjusting for the confounding factors, the consumption of vegetables, seaweeds, carbohydrates, potassium, riboflavin, and vitamin C showed lower in LA than LS. Moreover, LA's nutrient intake ratios compared to the KDRIs were lower which turned out to be similar to their nutrient intakes. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that dietary behavior and food intake of the elderly are associated with family types. Frequently skipping meals and less dietary variety are more common with elderly persons who were living alone. Therefore, it is necessary to integrate the supplementary food programs and nutrition education programs for the elderly living alone.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.275-282
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• 2009

Objectives : This study aimed to verify the association between wealth or income level and health status after adjusting for other socio-economic position (SEP) indicators among Korean adults aged 45 and over. Methods : Data were obtained from the 1st wave of Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (households: 6,171, persons: 10,254). We used self-rated health status and activities of daily living (ADLs) as dependent variables. Explanatory variables included both net wealth measured by savings, immovables, the other valuated assets and total income including pay, transfer, property and so on. Binary logistic regression was conducted to examine the relationships. Also, in order to determine the relative health inequality across economic groups, we estimated the relative index of inequality (RII). Results : The inequality of health status was evident among various wealth and income groups. The wealthiest group (5th quintile) was much healthier than the poorest group, and this differential increased with age. Likewise, higher income was associated with better health status among the elderly. However, these effects, as measured by the odds ratio and RII, showed that wealth was more important in determining health status of elderly people. Conclusions : This study suggests that economic capability plays a significant role in determining the health status and other health-related problems among the elderly. Particularly, our results show that health status of the aged is related more closely to the individual s wealth than income.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.56-67
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was a descriptive survey study to examine the degrees of the health perception, health knowledge, and health promoting behavior in the elderly, and the relationship among the above factors. Methods: Subjects were 183 persons with the age over 65 years living in Seoul. Measures were Health Perception Questionnaire (HPQ) developed by Ware (1979), the health knowledge instrument developed by Ha Gwi-Yeom (2005), and the Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile (HPLP) developed by Walker, Sechrist & Pender (1987) and modified by Hong Young-Ae (2003). Data were collected from March 4 to April 12, 2007. Data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation using the SPSS program. Results: The mean level of health perception was 2.71(${\pm}0.77$), the mean level of health knowledge was 7.10(${\pm}1.82$), and the mean level of health promoting behavior $2.72{\pm}0.86$. Health promoting behavior showed a positive correlation with health perception (r=.715) and health knowledge (r=.543), and a positive relation was observed between health perception and health knowledge (r=.526). Conclusion: The enhancement of health perception and health knowledge are needed to improve health promoting behavior of the elderly. Also, the general characteristics of elderly should be considered to improve health promoting behavior of elderly.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.133-160
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to understand the structure of the lived experience by poor elderly people. The research question was 'What is the structure of the lived experience of life of a poor elderly people.' The sample consisted of 21 single poor elderly persons in Pusan. The unstructured interviews were audio-recorded and analyzed using the Van Kaam method. This study was 368 responses which yielded of descriptive expressions and priority classifications. The result generated 74 common elements, 18 syntheses of hypothetical definitions and 5 identifications of the structural definition. The structural definitions and hypothetical definitions were as follows; 1. physical discomfort ; complaints of severe pain ; dysfunction of physical organs 2. emotional cognition ; despair ; resignation ; attitude toward death 3. support system ; interaction with family ; thinking about God ; economical difficulties ; expectancy of social services ; opinions about health service ; leisure ; interaction with neighborhood ; dissatisfaction due to inadequate environment 4. past reminiscence ; negative reminiscence of one's past ; past regret ; positive reminiscence of one's past 5. desire ; desire of unrealization life ; self satisfaction The significance of this study for nursing are; Comprehension of the lived experience of client and identification' of nursing approach method concerning the lifestyle of client.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.169-188
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• 2011

The primary focus of this study was on the issues associated with family and economic decision-making, in particular for the elderlyhood which might have to (or could be) share the family resources. This study regarded willingness to consider applying for Reverse Mortgage as an economic decision-making. The data was collected by interviewing 320 persons (over age 55) living in metropolitan areas in 2008. We selected 227 cases to find the influence of family, having both spouse and adult-children. We have used a theory of Planned Behavior by Fishbein to analysis three research questions. The results are as follows : first, the results partially explain willingness to consider applying for reverse mortgage using Fishbein's theory. Second, several results indicated that economic decision-makings within the family are influenced by several factors relating to other family member's view. They means that some of Subjective Norm variables, of Attitude Behavior ones, and of Perceived Behavior Control ones. Third, the result shows men and women respond differently to consider to applying for that policy. Men are conscious of the other people, i.e., friends, relatives except close family members, and, on the other hand, women are mindful of close family members, i.e., adult children. Forth, the group who have lower income showed higher intentions to consider that policy, when they have adult-children. Fifth, according to age group, pre-elderly group are influenced by consent of adult-children, a level of education, and on the other hand, elderly group are influenced by the other people, i.e., friends, relatives, a level of education, and so on. These results meaned that these distinct characteristics should be considered to establish Income Security policy for the pre-elderly and the elderly.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.372-379
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• 2018

Korean society is experiencing rapid growth due to industrialization and urbanization, and the aging of population is emerging. Degradation of the masticatory muscle due to aging and reduction of the number of mastications causes dry mouth syndrome with decreased saliva in the elderly. Changes in the amount and composition of saliva cause various oral diseases, especially, periodontal disease is closely related to the microorganisms that form the plaque. In the elderly education, stimulation saliva was collected at the first visit and the last visit to observe changes in microorganisms in the oral cavity. For the collection of the probes, the paraffin wax was chewed for 5 minutes. The samples were immediately refrigerated in a 50 cc plastic tube and then stored at $-20^{\circ}C$ until the next use. The subjects of this study were the elderly people aged 65 years or older, and the study was conducted on 16 persons, 3 males and 13 females. The distribution of saliva microorganisms according to rolling brushing method showed significant difference in all three groups (Aa & Red complex, Orange complex and Green complex) before and after the education. In the group who answered that they had dentures, it was confirmed that the amount of microorganisms before and after education was significantly reduced in all three groups. There was a significant decrease in the amount of microorganisms in the Aa & Red complex and Orange complex group in the case of hypertension related to systemic disease. In conclusion, the higher the interest of oral health and general health of the subjects, the more effective the education.