• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Planning & Design
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.75-82
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• 2018

This study suggests the general support center with comprehensive services for the elderly. In general, the modifications of the elderly housing have a direct influence on the "Quality of life" and "Aging in place" for the elderly. But until now, the elderly housing modification has been carried out separately on the elderly welfare category. It is very inefficient and inconvenient for the elderly. Therefore, it is necessary to have a comprehensive organization that includes the implementation of modifications. To provide reasons for this insistence, this study analyzed the previous research, legal system guidelines, and others related things. And it researched the perception of the comprehensive institution and the need for housing modification through the recognition survey of the elderly and the early elderly. The study found that the current domestic legal system does not have an integrated system to carry out the entire process of applying and implementing the elderly housing modification. On the other hand, the results of the survey showed that the elderly hoped to introduce a comprehensive and user-friendly institution for housing modification.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2017

As the elderly population increases rapidly, existing houses many elderly reside are under poor conditions that they work as a factor to impede on the independent living of elderly people. Thus, improving existing housing environment to suit the needs of elderly life has been required. Academics has been continuously researched on the field considering the importance of elderly housing modification and the importance on the research of this field is projected to be greater with the coming of aging society. Hence, this study has a purpose on analyzing trends of previous studies related to housing modification for the elderly published in Korean academic journals in depth. This study is a content analysis study and analyzed the trend of previous studies with academic journal field, purpose of study, research subject, research area, research method, research content as analysis categories. As a result, previous studies was published the most in natural science academic journals and main stream of research was to suggest direction of housing modification by conducting surveys on actual conditions and needs of single elderly families and to suggest improving the directions of policies related to modification. On the other hand, empirical studies needed to execute housing modification such as standard and method of housing modification and supporting tools are still at minimal level that researches on this field should be conducted additionally. This study is expected to be used as basis to examine the current state of previous studies on housing modification for the elderly and to seek further research directions.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.65-76
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• 2015

With a rapidly aging population, the proportion of elderly households with low income has been increasing. Despite the poor housing environment, it is not easy to improve their housing environment due to the high cost of modification. However, as many elderly want to keep living in their current houses, it is urgent to improve their housing environment. The purpose of this study was to develop the guidelines on home modification for low-income elderly. This study set the scope of home modification categories through literature analysis in advance to develop the guidelines. Based on the literature analysis and small group workshops, the primary and secondary guidelines were derived and a total of 169 final guidelines were produced based on the scope of home modification categories. Those guidelines were composed of the categories by space, divided into mandatory and recommended by details. Those guidelines proposed in this study were classified and composed under the objective standards, so that they were systemic and objective based on the verification of experts. They are considered to get closer to the user's demand on the basis of the demand of low income elderly for home modification and the improvement categories under the system to support home modification for low income elderly at home and abroad. In addition, as the standards to apply each guideline, separated into mandatory and recommended, was suggested, those guidelines may help expand the scope of improvement under the economic conditions for home modification.

• Architectural research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.129-136
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• 2016

People have experienced physical problems including vision problems with aging; some are normal and some are abnormal. When they have abnormal and impaired vision, they have a lower level of life satisfaction than their sighted peers. For the elderly with sight loss, well-designed housing could be an important indicator for their quality of life. Housing adjustment and modification could help the elderly cope with sight loss, do daily activities more independently, and lead to better quality of life. The purpose of this study is to investigate housing conditions for the elderly with vision impaired, state of housing adjustment or modifications, and the effects of housing conditions on the wellness of the elderly in Korea. For this study, 18 housing cases were investigated and a total number of 65 visually impaired people aged over 55 participated. Housing condition of those participated was poor. Most observed home hazards are level differences in living areas, obstacles in the hallway, confined space that is not allowed structural modification, swing doors from wardrobe or cabinets, color contrast, poor lightings, and etc. Majority of households participated in this study did not make modification or refurbishments, rather many of them tend to adapt themselves to their residential environments. Older adults living in better housing condition and under less difficult environments are likely to have higher life satisfaction. The effects of housing condition on wellness could be more influential when individual capabilities (e.g. health condition) are weaker. The findings underline that with intervention of individual characteristics, the effects of housing and physical environment on negative outcomes of vision loss would get ameliorated or reduced.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.55-64
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• 2017

Elderly population has increased rapidly and adjusting the environment is in demand to support their health. To improve the living environment of elderly, an appropriate plan for customized home modification is needed upon the personal contexts. The purpose of this study is to explain the sequence and to build an insight on customized home modification for vulnerable single elderly. It is a case study based on single target that includes 6 months of execution period deeply seeking the appropriate plan for implementation. The target is a male elderly aged 74 living in a single story detached house. The various research methods are applied in this study including exploratory, participatory, action and trade-off preference researches. The result shows that plan for home modification is complex outcome of interlocking uniqueness between residence environment and resident situation. If customized modification is targeted for residentially vulnerable social group, more sensitive approach aiming for the highest result is required due to financial constraint. To conclude, comprehensive understanding of overall circumstances of a dwelling, a resident and various stakeholder is essential throughout the process. Since the aging-in-place of elderly cannot be achieved without self-sustaining living environment, customized home modification should be a tool to meet housing suitability. It is important to strengthen the experts and future workforce with networks of local residents to share opinions and appropriate plans.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.24-36
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• 2018

Implementing a home modification to enable elderly's safe and independent living is the key plan to realize their aging in place. South Korea in which had entered an aged society is not yet vitalized in home modification for the elderly compared to that of welfare-developed countries, and South Korea provides support that is limited to the low-income elderly. Therefore, this purpose of this study was to analyze the laws related to the home modification, the present condition of home modification support, the standards and guidelines in home modification, the support in house modification cost, and supporting organization and working force in the home modification. Through the analyzing process, this study examined the current situation and problems of institutional support in the home modification for elderly and the proposed plan for institutional improvement. The suggestions based on the results are as in the following. 1) Home modification support law(act or regulation) is required to be improved 2) Home modification support system correspondent to aging process should be provided regardless of their income levels. 3) Delicate plan standard and guideline are necessary for a process of implementing the home modification for the elderly. 4) Information on life behavior is in need for the implementation of elderly-customized home modification. 5) Cost for the home modification should be considered to cover by the Act on Long-Term Care Insurance for the Aged. 6) Housing Welfare Center and Housing Welfare Professional should be actively utilized for the home modification support institution and work force.

• Proceeding of Spring/Autumn Annual Conference of KHA
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• 2009.04a
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• pp.278-283
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• 2009

This study aims to figure out the old people's needs for modification of their housing to maintain an independent lifestyle despite their health status and living arrangements. The total of 438 residents take part in the questionnaire survey research through the quota sampling method grouped by age (60-64 group, 65-69 group, 70-74 group, and over 75 group), sex (male and female), and house type (apartment houses and others). The results are as follows. (1) The old people's most inspired modification needs in interior spaces are remodeling the heating controls in the living room and the bedroom, ventilation facilities and storage spaces in the kitchen, non-slip tile flooring and ventilation facilities in bathroom, an easy door-lock, non-slip tile flooring, a draft cut-off, and storage spaces in the entrance. Besides they require emergency alarm, easy door and window locks, fire and gas alarm, and furniture with easy handling. It is necessary to supply the aged with the appropriate heating controls for their sensitivity to heat, with enough storage spaces for the increased possessions, and with diverse safety systems reflected blunting of mobility and sensibility. (2) As they grow older, the aged require more remote controls and safety facilities such as emergency alarm, easy locks and furniture with distinguishable colors. Male elderly is more concerned with safety, while female elderly do with convenience due to their different time spending in the house. The elderly residents in the apartment houses require the heating controls, a draft cut-off, and storage space less than other types of houses. Thus modification of the heating controls, a draft cut-off, and storage space are regards as basic needs for the elderly residents in non-apartment houses.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.75-84
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• 2004

As the advent of an aging society, housing for the elderly has been of greater concern. Since the majority of the elderly prefers to live in their own familiar houses rather than moving to new ones, this study is concerned with the ways of the effective use and maintenance of exiting houses from the viewpoint of their independent living. The data was analyzed with frequency, percentage, mean, correlation, and multiple regression using the SPSS 10.0 for Windows. The findings from the study are: The general satisfaction rate of Interior Design Affordance(IDA) was-evaluated about the average. Among the items of IDA, behavioral facilitation was found most satisfactory, and perceptual maintenance, physilogical maintenance, and social facilitation were followed in satisfaction level. Although there had been many elements of serious safety dangers, no home modification was made in the elderly households who live alone or/with spouse.

• Proceeding of Spring/Autumn Annual Conference of KHA
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.144-148
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• 2006

Kitchen space is one of the most dangerous places for the elderly. Modification of kitchen space for improving safety and independence for older residents is very important factor for aging -in-place. The purpose of this study wes to identify the current situation and modification of kitchen space by elderly-headed household. The sample included 108 respondents over the age 65 who consisted of elderly-couple or single person household with homeownership in Seoul. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Based on the findings of the study, the present incidence and recognition of future need in kitchen modification were identified. Changes in kitchen space made tended to be nonstructural or relatively inexpensive items. In conclusion, this study suggests several ideas for improving current physical problems of kitchen space to support daily living of older residents.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.49-58
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• 2007

Kitchen space is one of the most dangerous places for the elderly. Modifications of kitchen space for improving safety and independence for older residents are very important factor for aging in place. The purpose of this study was to identify the current situations and modifications of kitchen space by elderly-headed households. The sample included 108 respondents over the age 65 who consisted of elderly-couple or single person household with homeownership in Seoul. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Based on the findings of the study, the present incidence and recognition of future need in kitchen modifications were identified. Changes made in kitchen space tended to be nonstructural or relatively inexpensive items. In conclusion, this study suggests several ideas for improving current physical problems of kitchen space to support safe and independent daily living of older residents.