• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.482-492
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was a qualitative research study in which focus group interviews were used to collect data on the meaning of respite for family caregivers who are taking care of elders with dementia. Methods: The focus group interviews and participants consisted of 2 family caregiver groups, for a total of 8 people taking care of their elders and 5 professional caregivers working in a geriatrics hospital or social welfare institutions. Content analysis was used and debriefing notes were referred in order to analyze the data. Results: The meaning of respite in this research was measured using 4 main categories: 'Temporary break from routine', 'direct help', 'psychological comfort', 'valuables which cannot be taken easily' and 9 subcategories: 'Temporary diversion of attention', 'temporarily free from my duty', 'taking care of oneself', 'receiving economic help', 'empathize with others', 'comfort based on trust', 'resting together with the elder', 'no time to rest', 'cannot get out of one's obligatory duty'. Conclusion: The findings of the study show that rest means not only a temporary relief from caretaking, but also a real respite based on the patients' stable state and comfort. These results indicate a new meaning for respite, that the first step of respite program has to begin even when the caregivers do not recognize the need for respite.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.745-753
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• 2005

Purpose. The purposes of this study were to 1) describe the type and frequency of aggressive behavior of cognitively impaired nursing home resident, 2) develop a caregiver training program on prevention and management of aggressive behavior, 3) examine the effects of caregiver training program on the incidence of aggressive behavior of cognitively impaired nursing home resident, and 4) examine the effects of caregiver training program on nursing staff's aggressive behavior management skills. Methods. One-group, time series, quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and two post- tests was used. Data were collected from cognitively impaired home residents (N = 32) and nursing staff (N = 36) in a proprietary nursing home using Ryden Aggression Scale I, II, and Aggressive Behavior Management Scale. Data were entered and analyzed by descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVA. Results. Incidence of aggressive behavior was high with a mean score of 3.09 (SD = 3.11) at baseline. Caregiver training program was developed based on Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold (PLST) model and gerontological and psychiatric literature. The mean scores of aggressive behavior at baseline, Post I, and II did not differ significantly although the difference approached to the significant level (F = 2.925, p = .066). Nursing staff's aggressive behavior management skills increased at Post I, and at Post II when compared to baseline, and the difference was significant (F=12.736, p=<.00l). Conclusion. Caregiver training program showed potential impact on reduction of aggressive behavior in elders with cognitive impairment and was effective in increasing nursing staff's aggressive behavior management skills.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.334-342
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Tai Chi exercise on flexibility, balance, walking ability, muscle strength, bone mineral density, and fracture risk in institutionalized elders. Method: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a nonequivalent comparison group was utilized, and 53 older adults living in one institution were recruited and assigned to one of two groups, experimental group (18) or comparison (20). Both groups completed posttest measures at 6 months. There was a 31% rate of dropouts. Tai Chi exercise was provided twice a week for 24 weeks. Outcome measurements were conducted by a physiotherapist at a university hospital health promotion center who did not know the group assignment. Results: At 6 months, the experimental group had significantly greater grip strength(t=2.12, p=.04), back muscle strength (t=2.42, p=.02), balance (t=5.31, p<001), and flexibility (t=3.57, p<.001). They also showed significantly greater bone mineral density of lumbar spine and femur, and reduced fracture risk. Conclusion: Tai Chi exercise was safely and effectively used with institutionalized elders for 6 months and significantly improved physical fitness, bone mineral density along with a reduction in fracture risk. Whether Tai Chi exercise would lead to prevention of fall episodes and fall related fractures in this population will require further study.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.24-33
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• 2008

Purpose: To analyze health programs of the PHCP (Primary Health Care Posts) Method: From August 2006 to July 2007, data on the general quality and health program of the PHCP was requested by official letter and replies were received via E-mail. From December 8 to December 30, 2007, data from 1,268 (66.8%) PHCP out of 1,897 PHCP were analyzed using SPSS 12.0 Win program. Results: The average population covered by each PHCP is 878.3 people. For the health and special programs, Community Health Practitioners report high motivation for programs on health promotion, management of chronic illness, social welfare (40-50%). Demand by the residents was reported at 10% and increases in the health of the residents were attributed to high interest and demand. Volunteer work was 83.3% for bathing, 54.5% for equipment support and 46% for exercise programs. As elders make up 30% of the population in rural areas, there is an increasing demand for volunteer work in bathing programs. Conclusions: As the number of elders in the population increases and there is an increased need for more medical treatment for older people who are sick, the role of PHCP must be strengthened to include visits to homes of community residents. Where financial support for the PHCP is difficult, it is necessary to develop sound data on demographic characteristics of the population in order to develop efficient and effective health promotion programs. The finding that 54.7% of the population need management of chronic illness has difficulty in seeing a physician indicates a need to enhance the health care delivery system by strengthening the role of the Community Health Practitioners and including them in the civil service system to ensure stability of the PHCP.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.335-345
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• 2006

Purpose: The Purpose of this study was to develop an exercise program for elder people, and to verify the effects of it. Method: A one-group pretest-posttest experimental design was used. The exercise program was developed by researchers, and applied to 20 elders for 3 times a week for 5 weeks. To evaluate the treatment effects, dependent variables such as subjective health status, cognitive function, ADL, IADL, and depression were measured repeatedly 7 times. One-way Repeated Measures ANOVA was used for analysis. Result: There were significant positive changes in subjective health status, cognitive function, ADL, and depression except IADL during the treatment period. The treatment effects decreased significantly during 1-3 weeks after the treatment period. Conclusion: The exercise program, which had developed by the researchers, enhancing subjective health status, cognitive function, and ADL and decreasing depression of elders. Therefore this program is strongly recommended for geriatric nursing care settings.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2009

Objectives : The changing population age structure and rapidly increasing medical costs make providing high-quality, effective medical care for the elderly a challenge. This study assessed the satisfaction with medical care in terms of comprehensiveness, general satisfaction, and accessibility among community-dwelling Korean elders. Methods : Data were obtained from a nationwide representative sample of the older adults(aged 65 years old or older) living in the community, who participated in a 2006 telephone survey conducted using random digit dialing(n=881). General satisfaction, comprehensiveness and accessibility were measured using a 10-item satisfaction survey questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was used to assess the distribution of each of three components of subjective satisfaction. Analysis of covariance(ANCOVA) was used to examine the association of each of the three components with socioeconomic variables. Results : Comprehensiveness and general satisfaction were low among older people with a high socioeconomic status. Accessibility was evaluated as low among older people of low socioeconomic status, those living in rural areas and those who were medical aid beneficiaries. Conclusions : Urgent interventions should be considered in order to improve accessibility to medical care for elders of low socioeconomic status and those living in rural communities. Given the rapid aging of the population, we need to develop a monitoring system to improve the quality of geriatric care.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2015

The present study investigated the risk and prevalence of dysphagia as well as related factors among free-living elders. Subjects were 419 elderly men (116) and women (303) aged 65 years and older ($74.49{\pm}4.70y$) living in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do and Chungcheongbuk-do area in Korea. Data were collected by personal interviews using questionnaires and analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, and chi-square test. Prevalence of dysphagia was 53.50% among participants. Risk of dysphagia was significantly different according to age (P<0.001), use of dentures (P<0.05), and activities of daily living (P<0.05). Moreover, dysphagia risk group had significant food intake problems, including poor appetite, smaller portions to reach satiety, frequent meal skipping, as well as poor taste compared to the normal group, accompanied by high risk of weight loss as assessed by simplified nutritional appetite questionnaire (P<0.01). Taken together, risk of dysphagia was more prevalent in older people, affecting the majority of those living independently in the community. This could indicate an association with undernutrition due to factors affecting food intake.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.197-209
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• 2019

Purpose: This study was done to examine good death awareness, attitudes toward advance directives (ADs), and preference for care near the end-of-life (PCEOL) of hospitalized elders in long-term care hospitals. Relevant characteristics were investigated as well as correlation of the variables. Methods: This descriptive research study involved 161 hospitalized elderly patients in long-term care hospitals. A self-report questionnaire was used to measure Good Death Scale, ADs Survey, PCEOL Scale, and general characteristics. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation with SPSS/WIN 23.0. Results: In terms of good death awareness, a significant difference was observed; in according to age (F=3.35, p=.037), payer of treatment costs (F=3.98, p=.021), mobility (F=3.97, p=.021), heard discussion about ADs (t=-3.89, p<.001), and willing to complete ADs (t=2.12, p=.036). As far as attitudes toward ADs, the participants presented significant difference depending on religion (t=2.38, p=.018), average monthly income (F=3.91, p=.022), duration of hospital admission (F=5.33, p=.006), person to discuss ADs (t=-2.76, p=.006). On PCEOL, there was a significant difference, depending on religion (t=-3.59, p<.001) and perceived health status (F=3.93, p=.022). Finally, as for how the variables were related to each other, good death awareness and attitudes toward ADs had a weak positive correlation with PCEOL. Conclusion: To help seniors staying in nursing homes face a good death and enjoy autonomy, there should be educational and support systems that reflect each individual's sociodemographic characteristics so that the seniors can choose what kind of care they want to receive near the end-of-life.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.16-26
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• 2016

Background: Deficiencies in the ability to maintain balance are common in elderly. Augmented feedback such as knowledge of results (KR) can accelerate learning and mastering a motor skill in older people. Objects: We designed this study to examine whether one session of Wii-Fit game with self-regulated KR is effective for elderly people, and to compare the effect of two different timings of self-regulated KR conditions. Methods: Thirty-nine community-dwelling elders, not living in hospice care or a nursing home, participated in this study. During acquisition, two groups of volunteers were trained in 10 blocks of a dynamic balancing task under the following 2 conditions, respectively: (a) a pre-trial self-regulated KR ($n_1=18$), or (b) a post-trial self-regulated KR ($n_2=21$). Immediate retention tests and delayed retention tests of balancing performance were administered in 15 minutes and 24 hours following acquisition period, respectively. Results: In both groups, significant improvements of balancing performances scores were observed during the acquisition period. Regardless of the group, mean of balancing performance scores on retention tests were well-maintained from the final session. There were no significant differences between groups in balancing performance scores during the acquisition period (p>.05); however, the post-trial self-regulated KR group exhibited significantly higher balancing performance scores in both the immediate retention test and delayed retention test than that of the pre-trial self-regulated KR group (p<.05). Conclusion: Therefore, subjects who regulated their feedback after a dynamic balancing task, during the acquisition period, experienced more efficient motor learning during the retention period than did subjects who regulated their feedback before a dynamic balancing task. Accordingly, in case of presenting the KR of motor learning in clinical settings to elders who reduced dynamic balance abilities, the requesting time of KR is imperative according to self-estimation processes as well as types of KR and practice.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.24-29
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• 2014

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the associations between physical disorders and prevalent/incident suicidal ideation in a community dwelling older population aged 65 years or over. Methods : 1204 people aged 65 years or over evaluated at baseline. Suicidal ideation was identified using the questions from the community version of the Geriatric Mental State Schedule ("GMS B3"). Reported physical disorders covering 11 common and generally chronic health problems were ascertained. Covariates included were depression, age, gender, years of education, accommodation status, past occupation, and current occupation. Of 1066 without suicidal ideation at baseline, 805 (76%) were followed 2 years later, and incident suicidal ideation was evaluated. Results : Prevalent suicidal ideation was significantly associated with 4 of 11 physical disorders: eyesight problems, persistent cough, heart disease and paralysis or weakness in one leg or arm. Incident suicidal ideation was associated with 3 physical disorders: asthma, high blood pressure and paralysis or weakness in one leg or arm. Both prevalent and incident suicidal ideation were significantly associated with increased number of physical disorders. Conclusions : Certain physical disorders were comorbid and precipitating factors of suicidal ideation in elders. And appropriate intervention and treatment of physical disorders might prevent suicidal ideation in elderly.