• Proceedings of The Korean Society of Health Promotion Conference
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• 1998.07a
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• pp.11-12
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• 1998

The health status of a population is usually measured by mortality such as crude dealth rate, cause-specific mortality rate, infant mortality rate and life expectancy. However, these indices based upon mortality (i.e., quantity of life) are increasingly unsatisfactory to assess health status, especially in an aging society. In this presentation, I will discuss the followings as regards quality of life (QOL) in health science.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.692-700
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• 2017

The number of elderly citizens has risen in Korea and resulted in an aging society. Correspondingly, the social interest in the aging population has escalated immensely; however, research or product development on the quality of life for seniors has shortcomings. Healthcare smart clothing is required to help the elderly with changes and weaknesses that follow aging; however, there is unfortunately insufficient amounts available. This study explores the feasibilities of smart clothing for seniors based on a universal design. Based on previous research, we analyzed the universal design theory, body shape characteristics and design requirements for seniors, and heart rate measurement method. The design is different according to body shape and body shape is different between sex, age, and body race; therefore, subjects were limited to 70-74 year old Korean males in this study. This study proposes a guideline for heart rate sensing clothing that satisfies the 'universal design' aspects as well as the functionality of heart sensing, senior's physical characteristics and needs. It has broadened the range of smart clothing, which was once limited to the younger generation and provided a foundation for the development of specialized smart clothing for seniors.

• Integrative Medicine Research
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.176-181
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• 2016

Recent studies have focused on evidence-based interventions to prevent mobility decline and enhance physical performance in older adults. Several modalities, in addition to traditional strengthening programs, have been designed to manage age-related functional decline more effectively. In this study, we reviewed the current relevant literatures to assess the therapeutic potential of eccentric exercises for age-related muscle atrophy (sarcopenia). Age-related changes in human skeletal muscle, and their relationship with physical performance, are discussed with reference to in vitro physiologic and human biomechanics studies. An overview of issues relevant to sarcopenia is provided in the context of the recent consensus on the diagnosis and management of the condition. A decline in mobility among the aging population is closely linked with changes in the muscle force-velocity relationship. Interventions based specifically on increasing velocity and eccentric strength can improve function more effectively compared with traditional strengthening programs. Eccentric strengthening programs are introduced as a specific method for improving both muscle force and velocity. To be more effective, exercise interventions for older adults should focus on enhancing the muscle force-velocity relationship. Exercises that can be performed easily, and that utilize eccentric strength (which is relatively spared during the aging process), are needed to improve both muscle force and velocity.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.118-125
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• 2024

Background: Numerous studies have consistently demonstrated that depression can be associated with cognitive function decline, primarily focusing on older adults due to the neurodegenerative characteristics of dementia. With persistent depression frequently reported in patients with early-onset or young-onset dementia, this study aimed to assess the impact of depression, specifically the changes in depressive symptoms over time, on the risk of cognitive function decline in middle-aged adults in Korea. Methods: This retrospective study utilized data from the first four waves (2006-2012) of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA), focusing on middle-aged adults with normal cognitive function at baseline. Changes in depressive symptoms were categorized into four groups based on the CES-D score, and their association with cognitive function decline was evaluated using a multivariate logistic regression model. Results: Of the initial 10,254 participants, 3,400 were included in the analysis. Depressive status, particularly newly onset (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.96; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.32-2.93) and persistent depression groups (aOR 5.59; 95% CI 2.90-10.78), were significantly associated with cognitive function decline. In contrast, recovery from depressive symptoms was not significantly associated with cognitive function decline (p=0.809). Conclusions: Our study showed a significant association between changes in depressive symptoms and cognitive function decline in middle-aged Korean adults. This suggests that management of depressive symptoms could be crucial for the prevention of cognitive function decline in this population.

• Journal of Korea Game Society
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.15-22
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• 2008

Recently, Our average life span of korean people is extended and fast-growing an elderly population caused by Being Improved our living conditions and medical science level. Our another problems which being faced by an aging population are that marked psychological and social changes of the aged. The psychological changes of the aged is related to how they make their living and it strong influences on their successful aging process. For health of the aged, there is an urgent need of recreation which can be social activities to void decline their own process of thinking and the executive ability to adapt for controlling health. Therefore, thepurpose of this recreation Courseware program is to help the alienated minorities to achieve the optimal health and best quality of life based on the knowledge of the social-activities and to understand the korean traditional culture plays. Finally, This study could contribute it as a baseline model for the empirical study and to develop further recreation program for the elderly social activities and sufficient for needs of understanding our traditional culture plays.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.106-120
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• 1999

Japan has been prepared for aging society from 1970. In 1970, the percentage of distribution of population of 65 years old and over was 7.1%. It is similar to present percentile of the elderly in Korea. Therefore, it will be needed to study about home care and home visiting nursing in Japan at present. This study was aimed to prepare the fundamental documents for home care nursing in Korea and to know the background of new health care system of Long-term Care Insurance in Japan, by studying home care and home visiting nursing in Japan. With the continuing aging of the population, especially the increase in the number of latter stage elderly, it is predicted that there will be an increase in the number of the elderly who are bedridden and suffering senile dementia. To ensure that these people will be able to continue living in the communities and homes they are accustomed to, surrounded by their families and neighbors, Japan substantially improve and expand in-home services. There were also long-term effort to reach the level of services outlined in the Gold Plan and the New Gold Plan within the decade between FY 1991 and FY 1999 in the field of health care and welfare. Under this plan, the most noticeable change was occurred in home care, home was permitted as the field of care and visiting nursing was established in law. Through this 10- Year Strategy for Promotion of Health and Welfare Services for the Aged, many problems have been improved and solved, but some problems remained such as inadequate service supply and consumption of medical insurance for the elderly. Japan will be a society composed 25% of elderly people of total population in 2020, and it will be soon faced with a shortage of welfare and medical facilities and manpower. As for equalizing the benefits and cost burdens, and other future arrangements for health care and welfare, Long-term Care insurance system was established in 1994. This system will be enforced from April 2000 and use present facilities and services. To know home care and home visiting nursing in Japan, we need to consider present conditions well and to take notice of changes and measures to cope with an aging society continuously.

• Proceeding of Spring/Autumn Annual Conference of KHA
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.131-134
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• 2008

The numbers of the elderly who suffer Empty Nest Syndrome have been accelerated as an aging population has increased vastly and nuclear families have been a dominating family type in modern Korean society. To make the elderly get out of this phenomenon and live actively, the scheme of converting their existing houses into shared houses was set as a hypothetical solution in this study, and finding out the responses of the elderly who owns their own houses is the purpose of the study. A small workshop panel method was used and the elderly aged 55 years upwards took part and they own a detached house that is relatively large for the elderly or the elderly couple to live alone. The workshop was consisted of 3 stages: 1. a survey 2. an interview 3. a site visit. Through this, problems that the elderly have been experiencing within their houses were looked into and the responses of the elderly on converting their houses to shared houses by introducing developed schematic plans. As a result, positive responses from the house owners were carried out based on the fact that subsidies from the government on house renovation and tenants matching programs are supported. Shared houses could provide home owners economical support with rents and help them to feel less lonely. This is one way of supporting the elderly to live and age actively in their later lives. Therefore, this idea should be established in connection with preparing aging, aged, and super-aged society.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.49-59
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• 2012

This study is aimed to increase the fire-fighting manpower utilization and the increasing of its services in aging society. Due to continuous improvement of living standards and development of medical technology, the elderly population rate is being increased and it brings rapid progresses of aging society. Therefore, as a fire-fighting organization which is responsible for safety from various disasters, they should grasp comprehensively and systematically exact status of weak person from disaster in perspective of it with conjunction of all concerned department and at the same time proceed to speedy move as well as determine the appropriate emergency measures. In order to do this, safe life education for elderly people and the comprehensive measures of home security should be taken by transforming the policy from particular object-oriented policy to demand-driven policy. And through the expansion of one one nine services such as using grandeur of powerful IT nation out of old-fashioned promotion way, they should provide fire-fighting service for convenient and comfortable life of elderly people after retirement. A consideration of the elderly people is the best way to penetrate a advancement fire-fighting in aging society.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2018

Diabetes and depression are serious chronic conditions. As a result of their increasing prevalence, diabetes and depression, together with population growth and aging, are public health issues. The rate of depression in adults with either type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes is high relative to the general population. The coexistence of diabetes and depression has attracted much interest. Although it is unclear whether diabetes and depression are causally linked, most studies have shown that the association between diabetes and depression might be bidirectional. Currently, emotional well-being is becoming an increasingly important aspect of diabetes care and self-management. Psychiatric disorders and diabetic distress among people with diabetes may increase the risk of diabetes complication and mortality. Thus, assessment and appropriate management of depression in people with diabetes should be considered to achieve psychological well-being and optimize medical outcomes.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.88-94
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• 2023

Objectives: This study examined how deprivation differed by region and the effect those differences had on suicidal ideation among the local population. Methods: Data collected over 10 years (2012-2021) in the Korea Welfare Panel Study were organized into 3 categories: metropolitan, city, and rural. A panel analysis was conducted on the impact of deprivation indices, socio-demographic characteristics, and life satisfaction on suicidal ideation in each category. Results: Income, divorce status, family relationship satisfaction, and medical deprivation had a significant impact on suicidal ideation in metropolitan areas, whereas these variables did not have significant effects in rural areas. In other words, income, family, and medical support were more impactful in city areas. Conclusions: Although the deprivation index was higher in rural areas than in city areas due to an aging population and reduced income levels, the mental health of rural residents was found to be generally better than that of city residents. The possibility that this is related to the strength of relationships within the respective communities should be considered in light of recent discussions on relational welfare.