• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.329-352
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• 2009

This study examined life in old age and images of the aged perceived by middle-aged and old-aged generations through indepth interviews with 30 persons aged 40s through 80s residing in three areas (city or county) in capital region in Korea to use it as basic information in planning social welfare policy and reorganizing social services in response to population aging in capital region in Korea. In terms of economic life of the middle-aged and olde-aged generations perceived older people's opportunities for work were rarely given to the aged due to ageism and negative stereotypes of aging and the aged, and the aged tended to regard themselves less able or unable to work. In terms of social life of the aged both middle-aged and old-aged generations perceived that the frequency of social participation was low, and the daily life of the aged was found mostly aimless, unorganized and unplanned. In terms of psycho-social life of the aged both generations still felt that they were not alienated from the family, neighbors, and the society. In terms of social welfare services both generations thought the aged needed basic services such as income maintenance, health care, housing services, and particularly they felt lack of social services. The old-aged generation was willing to travel to the distance taking more than one hour to receive social services that they would need. Both the middle-aged and the old-aged agreed upon the necessity of preparation for old age and the benefits of earlier preparation, however, they said that they could not prepare for their old age due to lack of social programs to help preparation for old age and due to spending for rearing and education of their children. In terms of perceived life in old age both middle-aged and old-aged generations tended to be slightly positive, but the degree of positiveness differed between respondents from urban area and those from rural area regardless of generations. Images of the aged were perceived to be overwhelmingly negative while positive images were very few in number regardless of generations. This finding may suggests that negative stereotypes on aging and the aged are also prevalent in Korean society like in Western societies. Based on findings of this study some implications for social policies in response to population aging in capital region were suggested.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.9-21
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• 2007

This research investigated the retired elderly who had moved to rural areas. The propose of the study was to examine the point at which there must be a difference in the patterns of a return to farming and determine the actual condition of their preparations for migration. This study had surveyed 408 seniors who wereare over 50 years old and had moved to rural areas after their retirement and analyzed the data by the SPSS PC 11.0 program. The results were as follows. First, the relevancy of U-turn, J-turn, and I-turn types that were affected by social demography was found to be dependent on their education levels and family patterns. Second, the actual conditions of the process of preparation by the types of a return to the farming were different according to the motivation and preparation fund. Nevertheless, the most important factor was the influence of their spouses. Third, the actual conditions of the process of adaptation by the patterns of a return to the farming showed no difference between the degree of efforts of the social supportand elevation of the friendship among the neighbors. The recognition of rural life problems were more acquainted towards the area of farming life. Among the 6 problem areas, leisure, health care, and economic problems were highly considered.