• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.195-205
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• 2016

Purpose: This study is to compare the difference in status between elderly individuals with and without a spouse. Methods: The study is based on the Fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(KNHAENS), between 2010 and 2012. Subjects were over the age of 65 years who participated in the survey. Chi-square test and logistic regression of complex sampling design of the KNHAENS and used the survey analysis method by SPSS (version 18). Results: Sleep time of female elders living alone was the shortest which was 2.59 times that of male elders living with a spouse. Stress awareness of female elders living with a spouse was the highest, which was 3.21 times that of male elders living with a spouse. Depression was the highest in female elders living alone, which was 2.26 times that of male elders living with a spouse. Suicidal idea was the strongest in female elders living alone, which was 2.87 times that of male elders living alone. Conclusion: Female elders living alone were weakest in regards to socio-economical aspect with the highest rate of poverty, low educational status, and unemployment. The mental health status of females was worse than that of males. In particular, the mental health status of females living alone was the worst.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.708-716
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of low-income urban elders by diversified ways, and to analyze the risk factors for malnutrition. Methods: The participants in this study were 183 low-income elders registered at a visiting healthcare facility in a public health center. Data were collected using anthropometric measurements, and a questionnaire survey. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, ${\chi}^2$-test, t-test, Fisher's exact test, multiple logistic regression analysis were performed using SPSS 20.0. Results: Regarding the nutritional status of low-income elders as measured by the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), 10.4% of the elders were classified as malnourished; 57.4% as at high risk for malnutrition; and 32.2% as having normal nutrition levels. The main factors affecting malnutrition for low-income elders were loss of appetite (OR=3.34, 95% CI: 1.16~9.56) and difficulties in meal preparation (OR=2.35, 95% CI: 1.13~4.88). Conclusion: In order to effectively improve nutrition in low-income urban elders, it is necessary to develop individual intervention strategies to manage factors that increase the risk of malnutrition and to use systematic approach strategies in local communities in terms of a nutrition support system.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.402-413
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was done to explore factors related to amount of service use for elders with long-term care needs. Methods: A descriptive-correlation design was used. The sample included 259 elders and their primary caregivers who had cared for the elders for at least 6 months. Data on long-term care need assessment, service use and interviews with primary caregivers were analyzed. Results: There was no significant relationship between the sociodemographic characteristics and the amount of services use. Amount of service use differed significantly by Long-term care classification. The mean scores for class 1, 2 and 3 were 22.68, 21.47 and 17.87 days respectively. Primary caregiver relationship with the elders and the number of family-friend helpers were also significant. Multivariate regression analysis showed that gender, marital status, activities of daily living, cognitive impairment, and secondary caregiver support explained 17% of the total variance of service use among these elders (F=3.50, p<.001). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that critical factors including secondary caregiver support and individual background, and other functional dependencies except for physical function should be considered in accurately predicting the amount of service use for community dwelling elders with long-term care needs.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.143-156
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• 2008

Purpose: It is important to identify problems in elders' health through health examination as a part of health service for elders and to execute health education so that elders have appropriate abilities to manage and protect themselves. This study was attempted to assess the need of health education in the elderly and to analyze factors affecting the need of health education. Method: The participants in this study were 354 elderly people living independently in the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province of Korea, and a questionnaire survey was conducted through personal interviews from June 25 to July 26, 2007. The methodology was a descriptive study. Data were collected and analyzed using SPSS Win 12.0. Results: As for the contents of education, elders preferred most the area of 'prevention and management of elderly diseases.' Detailed education contents preferred by elders were the prevention of accidents, diet habits, exercise and weight management, mental health and stress management, complementary and alternative therapies, management of drinking and smoking, etc. Conclusion: According to elders' concerns and needs, systemic health education for the elderly should provide right health knowledge, health maintenance, health promotion and setting of appropriate health education.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.584-591
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the factors contributing to death anxiety among elders through family support, ageism experience, loneliness and helplessness. Methods: The participants were 155 elders who lived in S city. The data were collected through a self-reported questionnaire in elders over age 65. In addition, their levels of death anxiety, family support, ageism experience, loneliness, helplessness and death anxiety were measured using a likert scale Data analysis using a t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis with the SPSS 20 program. Results: Significant differences were found in the levels of perceived death anxiety between the variables affecting death anxiety in elders. Pearson's Correlation were found family support (p<.001), ageism experience (p<.001), loneliness (p<.001) and helplessness (p<.001) with death anxiety. Conclusion: It is concluded that such variables should be considered for decreasing death anxiety by family support, ageism experience, loneliness and helplessness in elders.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.554-563
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate elders' experience in a mentoring program and preferred characteristics of the program. Methods: Two hundred and ten elders dwelling in Sungnam-si. Korea participated in the survey from April 1 to May 30, 2008. Using SPSS Win 10.0, descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and t-test were performed. Result: About two thirds of the elders had experience as a mentee, and a large number of them reported that it was helpful. Compared to those without, the elders with the mentee experience were more likely to perceive that it is easier to build a mentor-mentee relationship. The most common reason for wanting a mentee experience was loneliness, whereas the most frequent reason for not wanting was feeling a burden when meeting a stranger. Preferred characteristics of a mentoring program differed between the elders who had the mentee experience and those who did not. Conclusion: This study concluded that a mentoring program is highly likely to provide psycho-social support to the elderly, Also, a large number of the elders who had never had a mentor-mentee relationship wanted to have it in the future. This study suggests that healthcare professionals include a mentoring program in healthcare services for the elderly, considering preferred characteristics of a mentor-mentee relationship.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.53-63
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify leisure activities, health promotion behaviors, and quality of life and regional differences in urban and rural elderly people. Method: This study was a descriptive research and data were collected from 198 elderly people using a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the PASW WIN 18.0 Program. Result: Urban elders showed significantly higher rate for leisure activities compared to rural elders. While urban elders did not show a significant relationship among leisure activities, health promotion behaviors, and quality of life, rural elders showed a significant relationship among leisure activities, health promotion behavior, and quality of life. While the leisure activities and health promotion behaviors were influenced by recreational and social life in the urban elders, these activities and behaviors had no influence for rural elders. Leisure activities and quality of life were influenced by watching and enjoying activities, services and religious activities, and recreational and social life for urban elders but health sports was an influence for rural elders. Conclusion: Findings indicate regional differences and provide basic information to develop programs and leisure guidelines to enhance leisure activities, health promotion behaviors, and quality of life according to regional characteristics of elderly people.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.25-40
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• 1999

This study was to identify various personal characteristics between those having a helper and those not having a helper for ADL and IADL performance in noninstitutionalized elders. Secondary analysis was done with the data collected in 1994 national survey of aged householders. Of the elders with ADL limitations $47.8\%$ had no helper. while $26.2\%$ of those with IADL limitations had no helper. Those elders with a helper experienced more limitations in ADL and in IADL than those with no helper. Most of the helpers were family members. whereas very few had a formal helper. Age period and subjective economic status were significantly different between the groups with a helper and with no helper for both ADL and IADL. Compared to the elders with a helper. those elders with no helper had fewer children living together. whereas they had more grandchildren. They also had more contacts with friends or neighbors. Health status. in general. was worse in those elders with a helper than those with no helper. Logistic regression analysis revealed that ADL and IADL limitations had largest influence on having an ADL helper. The odds ratios for low levels of subjective economic status were very high. As for having an IADL helper. IADL score was the most important predictor. In particular. ADL limitations had a negative effect on having an IADL helper. This finding may indicate the urgency of ADL needs. which leads to the lack of an IADL helper when both ADL and IADL limitations are present. Considering the nature of ADL. those disabled elders with low economic status need public support for their daily activities and for home visiting nursing services. There should be studies of examining the adequacy of help in satisfying basic needs for performing ADL and IADL in elders.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2005

Purpose: Recently there are scientific evidences for the health effects of Asian dust-storms. Particularly in 2002, the daily average of $PM_10$ exceeded 600 and 700 $\mu{g}/m^3$ in March and April respectively. We examined the effects of Asian dust‐storms on perceived symptoms and preventive behaviors among children, adults, and elders. Method: The subjects of this study were 425 children, 444 adults and 60 elders. A questionnaire survey was carried out on the children and the adults by teachers and on the elders by interviewers to obtain information on demographic variables, perceived symptoms and preventive behaviors, previous respiratory disease, environmental tobacco smoke, and proximity between the house and the road during Asian dust-storms. We analyzed using descriptive statistics, $X^2$ test and multiple logistic regression models. After adjustment for potential confounders, we estimated the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of the children and the elders for perceived symptoms and preventive behaviors. Result: The elders had a significantly higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms than the other groups. The children had a significantly higher prevalence than the adults in getting URI (1.51), coughing (1.68), rhinorrhea (1.46), fever (2.39) and medication for allergy or asthma (1.90). The children had better behaviors than the elders in closing windows (3.57), taking less outdoor recreational activity (2.59) and staying home (2.60). Conclusion: This study suggested that children and elders are susceptible to the effects of Asian dust on health. Health educators should inform these populations about the influence of Asian dust and provide health education for preventive behaviors.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.13-29
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to describe about elders with dementia, their families, and their living environment by visiting the households where demented elders resided. The findings will be used as a basis to develop future individualized adjustment programs for demented elders and their families living in communities. The study participants were 64 demented elders and their families who were registered to a dementia counseling center at Nam-Gu community health center located in Inchon, Korea. Data were collected for two months, from May to June 2001. The length of data collection for each home visit ranged from 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Conclusion are as follows based on these study findings: Those demented elders had more than one chronic health problem in addition to their pre-existing dementia condition. Two thirds of the demented elders were not receiving any specific treatment for dementia. They showed a moderate level of independence in basic ADL, but were mostly residing at home because of lack of ability to perform more delicate and complicate routine daily activities by themselves. In addition, the primary caregivers were not well adjusted to the care-giving activities for their demented family members due to the lack of knowledge and information about dementia. The caregivers were mostly women including daughters-in-law, woman spouses and daughters, over a half of whom perceived their physical and mental health status as poor. Their image toward the demented elders was considerably negative. while their level of knowledge on dementia was moderate. The burden for the care-giving was high, whereas their coping method was passive. As the difference in image toward elderly before and after the onset of dementia in their family member increases, the caregiver burden also increased. The main resource of social support for the caregivers was their children. The caregivers showed high level of needs for knowledge and information on dementia, and day care service was the most preferred type of service by the caregivers. There was lack of safety in the living environments for the demented elders and their families, and in the surrounding environments to prevent dementia-related symptoms. Considering that home-based family care-giving is the most culturally appropriate model of providing care for the demented elders in Korea, we need to develop and apply an individualized adjustment program for the demented elders and their families.