• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2008

Statement of problem: The introduction of "The Long-term Care Insurance System" (a public nursing care insurance scheme) is scheduled from July in 2008. Lately, the importance of oral health care had increased. Introduction and establishment of the methodology (nursing care procedure) based on professional dental knowledge is inevitable. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to rouse recognition of the importance of dental care in the long term elderly care in nursing homes, with implementation of the new insurance law. Material and methods: Visited two institutions for the elderly, Yudang Village and Sungjiwon located in Suwon city to investigate the present conditions in terms of (1) the detailsof the institution, (2) the activities concerning with dental care in the institution, and (3) the consciousness and recognition regarding dental care of the staffs. Results: In two institutions, under the present conditions, oral cleaning (including the cleaning of denture) for residents was operated with no professional advices and limited professional dental care. It was found that there was very little awareness of aspiration pneumonia. The members of staff however, did recognizethe necessity of professional maintenance and management of oral care in daily nursing care, and that many residents hold dental problems. They were very eager in introducing the methodology (nursing care procedure) in dental care in nursing homes.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.2 s.53
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• pp.311-329
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• 1996

This study was designed to compare the level of medical utilization between the urban and rural areas of Korea and to explain the differences between the two regions. Data from the National Health Interview Survey performed by the Korean Institute of Health & Social Affairs in 1992 were used for this study utilizing a sample size of 21,841 people. The level of medical utilization such as the number of physician visits and the number of hospital admissions was compared between the regions with ANOVA. Various determinants for medical use were also compared by univariate analysis. Statistical models which included enabling factors, predisposing factors, need factors and region were constructed for bivariate analysis in order to further elucidate the level of medical utilization. The results were as follows: 1. There was greater medical use, both in terms of physician visits and inpatient care in the rural areas in spite of insufficient health resources. The particular reasons for higher medical utilization in rural areas were attributed to a higher number of initial physician visits as well as a longer the length of stay per hospital admission. Therefore, indicators representing the degree of met need (utilization/need) showed no significant difference between rural and urban areas in spite of the fact that the medical need is larger in rural areas. 2. Use of public health facilities received a significant portion of physician visits in the rural area. The government's effort to enhance primary health care through health centers, health subcenters and the nurse practitioner's post in rural areas has contributed to the increase of access to medical care in the rural areas. 3. There were some differences in the socio-demographic characteristics between two regions ; There were more elderly people over the age of 65: unstable marital status, less education and lower incomes also characterized the rural areas. Therefore, among rural people, there were more predisposing factors for medical use. Additionaly, need factors such as poor self-reported health status and high morbidity level were also high in the rural area. 4. In contrast it was learned that, the supply of health resources was mostly concentrated in the urban areas except for public health facilities. Therefore, geographical access to medical care was lower in the rural area both in terms travel time and travel cost. 5. The coefficient of the region variable was insignificant in the regression model which controlled the supply factor only. However, utilization was significantly higher in urban areas if the model included predisposing factors and need factors in addition to the supply factor. The results were interpreted as rural people have greater medical needs.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.359-367
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• 2020

Objectives: Exposure to mold is strongly associated with adverse health effects (development or exacerbation of allergic diseases). We reviewed the health effects of mold exposure and explored to determine the annual distribution of indoor mold in facilities with susceptible populations. Methods: The health effects of mold exposure were mainly summarized by reviewing related papers and WHO research reports. We selected 10 facilities, including daycare centers, postpartum care centers, medical institutions, and elderly care facilities within the Seoul Metropolitan. Mold sampling was performed once every week or once every quarter from February 2016 to 2017. In addition, fungal species analyses was performed, and distribution status by month and facility was analyzed in the same manner as concentration. Results: Adverse health effects attributed to fungal exposure are largely divided into allergic symptoms, toxic effects, and infectious effects. Monthly mean concentrations of mold indoors and outdoors was 368.8 CFU/㎥ (geometric mean 213.4 CFU/㎥) and 496.0 CFU/㎥ (327.9 CFU/㎥), respectively. The indoor concentration has begun to increase in February, peaked in July, declined in August, increased again until October, and then decreased in November. About 36 genera of indoor fungal species were found in each facility. Cladosporium sp., Penicillium sp., Fusarium sp., Aspergillus sp., Alternaria sp., and Arthrinium sp. were observed as the dominant species. Conclusions: Our findings showed that the overall level of indoor mold was below the 500 CFU/㎥ level recommended by the Ministry of Environment. The development of DNA-based assessment and expanding facilities to be monitored for mold would be necessary for preventive aspects.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.89-97
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• 2020

Objectives: The quality of life (QoL) of the elderly and elder abuse are growing public health concerns. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of abuse and the association between QoL and abuse in older adults. Methods: Multistage random cluster sampling, along with valid QoL (LEIPAD: LEIden, the Netherlands; PADua, Italy; Helsinki, Finland) and abuse questionnaires, were used to assess QoL and elder abuse. Path analysis was performed using Mplus. SPSS and AMOS were used for the other analyses. Results: A total of 386 elderly individuals with a mean age of 68.00±6.10 years were interviewed, of whom 200 (51.8%), 289 (74.9%), and 376 (97.4%) were women, educated, and married, respectively. Moreover, 167 (43.2%) had low-to-moderate QoL, and 108 (27.9%) had experienced a moderate level of abuse. QoL and abuse were inversely associated (r=-0.253), with men (β=-0.24) more affected than women (β=-0.21). Musculoskeletal disorders were also strong determinants of QoL in the elderly. QoL was strongly associated with emotional abuse, while abuse was highly related to the social component of QoL. Furthermore, emotional abuse was the type of abuse most significantly associated with the self-care, depression/anxiety, cognitive, and social components of QoL. Sexual abuse, violation of personal rights, and neglect were the main determinants of the physical functioning, life satisfaction, and sexual domains of QoL, respectively. Conclusions: Nearly half of the elderly individuals lacked a high QoL, and at least one-fourth had experienced some form of abuse. Elder abuse was correlated inversely with QoL. Therefore, preventive interventions are recommended to decrease elder abuse in the family, community, and other settings.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.30 no.2 s.57
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• pp.437-461
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• 1997

Because of a significant improvement in the economic situation and development of scientific techniques in Korea during the last 30 years, the life expectancy of the Korean people has lengthened considerably and as a result, the number of the elderly has markedly increased. Such an increase of the number of aged population brought about many social, economic, and medical problems which were never seriously considered before. This study was conducted to assess the trend of medical care utilization and medical expenditure of the elderly. The data of each patient in the study were taken from computer database maintained for administrative purpose by the Korea Medical Insurance Corporation. The study population was 132,670 who were 60 years old or more and registered in Korean Medical Insurance Corporation from 1989 to 1993. The study subjects were predominantly female(56.3%) and 10,000-20,000 Won premium group(50.6%). The following are summaries of findings : The total increase of the number of inpatient cases was 40.5% from 1989 through 1993. The average annual increase was 3.7% in inpatient medical expenditures per case, 4.4% in inpatient medical expenditures per day and 0.08% in length of stay per case from 1989 through 1993. Cataract was the most prevalent disease of 10 leading frequent diseases in all ages from 1989 through 1993. The case mix in 1993 compared to 1989 revealed that cataract and ischemic cerebral disease were increased whereas essential hypertension and pulmonary tuberculosis were decreased . The average annual increase of medical expenditures was 3.8% in general hospitals, 6.3% in hospitals and 2.4% in clinics. From 1989 through 1993, medical expenditures used by high-cost patients accounted for about 14% to 20% of all expenditures for inpatient care, while they represented less than 2.5% of the elderly population. Time series analysis revealed that total medical expenditures and doctor's fee for inpatient will be progressively increased whereas drug expenditures for inpatient will be decreased. And there will be no change in length of stay. Based on the above results, the factors increasing medical cost and utilization should be identified and the method of cost containment for the elderly health care should be developed systematically.

• Annals of Geriatric Medicine and Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.114-117
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• 2016

A research project, the "Construction of Frailty Cohort for Elderly and Intervention Study," funded by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, has been ongoing since December 2015. The Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study (KFACS) aims to identify risk factors for adverse outcomes associated with frailty in community-dwelling older adults, as well as means of prevention. KFACS is a multicenter, longitudinal study, with the baseline survey being conducted in 2016-2017. The sample (n=3,000) consists of those aged 70-84 years, stratified by age and gender, recruited from urban and rural regions nationwide. An in-person interview and health examination are performed every 2 years. This project is also conducting many intervention studies. Project interventions focus on nutrition and exercise. The nutritional intervention study compares the effects of 1.2 g/kg versus 1.5 g/kg daily protein intake on sarcopenia and frailty in older Koreans. The exercise trial examines the effectiveness of an information and communication technology-based program in preventing or reducing frailty.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness and satisfaction of visiting Korean Medicine doctor program. Method : The senior center visiting Korean Medicine doctor program was conducted in ten senior centers in Seongnam city from April 2016 to December 2016. Korean Medicine doctors were assigned senior center one by one. The program consisted of health lectures and health counseling. The health lectures embraces stroke, musculoskeletal disease, dementia, depression and self care for the elderly Results : A total of 194 elderly persons participated the program. The self-health awareness level were changed from $50.86{\pm}25.31$ to $57.17{\pm}24.62$ (p-value=0.003). The physical pain level was decreased from $5.33{\pm}2.99$ to $5.04{\pm}2.86$. The quality of life were changed from $0.791{\pm}0.155$ to $0.792{\pm}0.144$ (p-value=0.923). Overall satisfaction of visiting Korean Medicine doctor program was $9.36{\pm}2.11$. The need for sustainability for visiting Korean Medicine doctor program was $9.76{\pm}0.60$. Conclusions : The study demonstrated that visiting Korean Medicine doctor program had a positive effect on the health awareness level. The overall satisfaction and further need were high. Further program for senior center will be needed.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.8 no.12
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• pp.209-214
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of oral health status on daily life of elderly women. The subjects of this study were 142 elderly women aged 60 years or older who were surveyed through questionnaires, interviews, counseling, and oral examinations. The SPSS program was used for frequency analysis, descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The results of the study showed that the number affected on daily life were 1.4 in average and the oral health condition was the highest at scaling (59.4%). When the oral status was unsatisfactory, it was found to be uncomfortable in daily life. In case of oral pain, oral status and poor removal of calculus, the number and frequency in daily life were increased. In conclusion, the oral health of elderly women can improve their daily life ability and affect the quality of life. Therefore, a systematic oral care plan is needed through the expansion of oral health promotion education for elderly women and the development of continuous preventive programs.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.17-25
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of elderly motorcycle accidents according to data from elderly inpatients to prepare prevention measures for the elderly against injury in motorcycle accidents. Chi-squared test, independent sample t-test, and canonical correlation analysis were performed on the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's National Hospital Discharge In-depth Injury Survey data from 2015 to 2019, from which the records of 1,384 elderly inpatients hospitalized because of motorcycle accidents were obtained. intracranial injury(S06) was the most common care and treatment characteristic for both age groups. The most frequent injury site was the head and neck, and the most frequent injury type was a fracture. The above findings show that prevention education and policy formulation at the national level are necessary to identify and manage the factors of elderly motorcycle accidents. This study provides basic data for developing measures and policies to prevent and reduce injuries, making it significant for public health causes.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.209-216
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the status of the dementia prevention programs, dementia support centers, and elderly welfare centers in major metropolitan cities to acquire data for future program development and dissemination and the specialization of dementia prevention personnel. Methods: Data were gathered through internet surveys and telephone questionnaires from 15 special demented elderly care centers and elderly welfare centers registered in five metropolitan cities from June 27 to Oct 25, 2016. Results: Dementia care programs were available at 15 centers. Seoul City was running the most diverse dementia programs, and all five cities were spending a significant amount of time on the cognitive therapy program within several dementia programs. In addition, many social workers hosted the program and the frequency of social welfare work was three times a week. Conclusion: To increase the dementia prevention policies' efficiency, an understanding of dementia has already been established. Experts who can provide client-centered, problem-solving programs will play the role of physical therapists and occupational therapists. However, more research is needed.