• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.244-250
• /
• 2012

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to examine the relationships among the psychological, social, and environmental factors influencing the utilization of senior centers among older adults in Korea. Methods: A questionnaire survey was administered to two types of older adults who lived in Seoul, Korea: 262 older adults who used senior centers (3 places) and 156 older adults who did not use senior centers. Results: Our results showed clearly that the utilization of the senior centers in Korea is affected by higher self-efficacy (odds ratio [OR], 6.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.31 to 12.32), higher perceived benefits (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.16 to 4.36), lower perceived barriers (OR, 6.43; 95% CI, 3.07 to 11.45), higher family support (OR, 4.21; 95% CI, 2.02 to 8.77), and higher support from friends (OR, 4.08; 95% CI, 2.38 to 7.81). The results also showed that participants whose total travel time was 15 to 29 minutes (OR, 2.84; 95% CI, 1.21 to 3.64) or less than 14 minutes (OR, 4.68; 95% CI, 3.41 to 8.41) were more likely to use a senior center than those who had to travel more than 30 minutes. Conclusions: This study showed that the utilization of senior centers in Korea is affected by psychological, social, and environmental factors, specifically by self-efficacy, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, social support, convenience of transportation, and total travel time to the senior centers. The effects of longer-term utilization of the senior centers by non-users on health-related outcomes in a large population warrant attention.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.205-217
• /
• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the subjective health status (SHS) of low-income older adults living alone. Methods: This is a cross-sectional correlational study using secondary data analysis. Sociodemographic and health-related characteristics were included in this analysis. The health-related characteristics were categorized into three domains: physical, characterized by the number of chronic diseases and fall-related factors, timed up and go, and grip strength; psychological, in terms of depression and loneliness; and social, in terms of social support. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The mean SHS score was 2.46 out of five. Several factors influenced the SHS of low-income older adults living alone, including sex, age, level of education, monthly income, and the three domains. Four significant predictive factors of SHS in low-income older adults living alone were identified (42.5%): the number of chronic diseases, fear of falling, depression, and social support. Conclusion: SHS is a critical factor for older adults living alone on a low-income. Hence, evaluating SHS and developing interventions to improve it periodically is necessay. Such interventions should consider chronic disease management, screening and mediation for depression and fear of falling, and strengthening their social support systems.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.19 no.11
• /
• pp.264-277
• /
• 2018

Focusing on the potential impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on older adults' quality of life, this study empirically examined the influence of smartphone use in old age on life satisfaction, depression, social activity and social support of Korean older adults. In order to examine the effects of smartphone use, this study analyzed data from 630 questionnaire surveys from older adults aged 65 and over living in Seoul. The effects of smartphone use were tested using hierarchical multiple regression analysis, controlling for socio-demographic variables such as age, sex, spouse, education and income. Results showed that the effects of smartphone use on life satisfaction, depression and social activity of older adults were statistically significant. However, the effects of smartphone use on social support of older adults was not statistically significant. This study suggests that ICT such as smartphones in old age plays generally positive roles in enhancing psychological, mental and social aspects of quality of life. This implies that further practical efforts to expand the distribution and use of ICT in old age are required to improve quality of life and successful aging of older adults.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.138-147
• /
• 2015

Purpose: The study was conducted to identify factors influence suicidal ideation among older adults with osteoarthritis. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design with secondary analysis of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Data for 174 men and 939 women who aged${\geq}65$, and were diagnosed osteoarthritis from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010~2012 were included. Suicidal idea, age, sex, education, marital status, living alone, income, body mass index, smoking and alcohol use, exercise, perceived health status, activity limitation, joint pain and stiffness, depressive mood, and perceived stress were measured. Influencing factors and odds ratios were analyzed using complex sample multivariate logistic regression. Results: In the results, 29.9% of the elderly with osteoporosis had suicidal idea. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of suicidal ideation were significantly higher among those over 80 years older (OR=2.88, 95% CI=1.49~5.58), those with depression (OR=4.01, 95% CI=2.66~6.04), and those with high levels of stress (OR=2.76, 95% CI=1.79~4.24). Conclusion: Therefore, older adults with osteoarthritis should be screened for depression and stress to decrease suicidal ideation and prevent suicide attempt.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.59-66
• /
• 2020

Purpose : This study aimed to present normative data for older Korean adults completing the Yonsei dual task cognitive screening test (Y-DuCog) and identify changes in cognitive function on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment - Korean (MoCA-K) with age. Methods : From May 2019 to August 2019, 195 healthy adults aged ≥60 years participated in this study. All participants completed the Y-DuCog to assess their dual-task performance and the MoCA-K to assess their cognitive function. Participants were divided into three groups based on their age: 60~69 years, 70~79 years, and ≥80 years. Results : The results of the Y-DuCog showed that dual-task performance time, effect, and correct response rate decreased significantly with age (p<.001). Scores from the three groups showed differences on all items (p<.001). Cognitive function on the MoCA-K also decreased significantly with age (mean score ± standard deviation [SD]; 27.33 ± 2.61 in subjects aged 60~69 years; 24.82 ± 3.20 in subjects aged 70~79 years; and 22.10 ± 4.91 in subjects aged ≥80 years; p<.001). Conclusions : Occupational therapists should be aware of the decline in cognitive function and dual-task performance time, effect, and correct response rate in older adults and consider interventions to treat this decline. Further studies are needed with larger groups of participants to examine factors, such as sex and education, that may impact dual-task performance and cognitive function.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.51 no.5
• /
• pp.445-454
• /
• 2018

Purpose: Changes in eating habits and malnutrition due to dysphagia are important health problems for older adults. This study investigated the effects of an educational program aimed at improving diet quality in community-dwelling older adults at risk for dysphagia in South Korea. Methods: We assessed 27 individuals in the experimental group and 26 individuals in the control group between September and October 2015. All participants were aged 65 years or older and were at risk for dysphagia. A combined diet and exercise program was applied to the experimental group (n = 27) for six weeks. We examined changes in participants' eating habits and their knowledge and attitudes concerning dysphagia risk. The nutrition intake of all participants was measured before and after the intervention using 24-hr dietary recall. Results: There was a significant increase in knowledge of dysphagia risk in the experimental group, with scores increasing from 3.7 to 7.1, out of 10 points (p < 0.001). There were also significant improvements in eating habits after the intervention in the experimental group, with scores increasing from 21.9 to 28.3, out of 36 points (p < 0.001). The attitude score of participants in the experimental group increased significantly, from 15.2 to 16.7, out of 20 points (p = 0.016). Conclusion: Developing educational programs can help older adults living in the community lead a healthier lifestyle and improve their ability to manage their diet.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.17 no.6
• /
• pp.482-494
• /
• 2016

This study examines the longitudinal trends regarding awareness of informatization, Information Technology (IT) use, and attitudes towards IT among older adults aged 60 or over. Surveys were conducted in 2004 and 2014 at senior welfare centers in Seoul, Korea. The trends between 2004 and 2014 showed that the rate of Internet use increased among older adults who lived alone, were aged 70 or over, had middle education level, had low income, or were unemployed. Older adults had positive attitudes towards IT, and users were more positive than non-users. The levels of IT use were low among users, and their reasons for IT use were for psychological, emotional, and practical purposes. For non-users of IT, their passive tendencies toward IT use and informatization were amplified. As such, the state of IT use and attitudes toward it among older adults in Seoul were longitudinally different, and the differences in awareness and ability between users and non-users tended to increase.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.665-672
• /
• 2015

Purpose: The aims of current study were to assess the inhaler competency and medication adherence, and to identify association of inhaler competency with medication adherence in patients with obstructive lung disease. Methods: We did a secondary analysis of the Hanyang Obstructive Pulmonary Evaluation data in a single institution from June 2014 to April 2015 after an approval of Institutional Review Board. A total of 150 patients with asthma or chronic obstructive lung disease participated in the study. Inhaler competency was evaluated accuracy in each step for using metered dose inhaler. Medication adherence was calculated using actually dispensed doses based on the prescribed inhaler doses. Results: Older adults (${\geq}65$) had lower competency in using inhaler (66.7 vs 83.3, z=-4.52, p<.001) and poorer medication adherence (67.7 vs 91.8, $x^2=14.06$, p<.001) than adults (<65). Inhaler competency was associated with medication adherence (p=.26, p=.001). Surprisingly, more than 50% of patients were current smokers. Conclusion: Inhaler competency and medication adherence were lower in older adults with obstructive lung disease than those in adult-age patients. Therefore, an individual education program for older patients should be developed to improve the rates of proper use of inhalers. Nursing management for obstructive lung disease should focus on developing behavioral intervention strategies for smoking cessation.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.127-138
• /
• 2002

Objective: This prospective survey assessed factors associated with influenza vaccination behaviors among high-risk adults. Methods: 106 patients aged 65 or high risk for complications of influenza were interviewed to identify influencing factors to vaccination. Six potential consequences of Influenza infection and nine factors of vaccination were analysed between compliance and non-compliance groups. Results: Among the 106 patients, the vaccination rate was 62.3%. The rate of the group under the sixties was 37.0010, but the rate over the sixties was 88.5%. Factors in dependently associated with both influenza vaccination behaviors included older age, chronic disease, and especially, related to factors in older age were having positive attitudes toward immunization, perceived severity of infection and willingness to comply with the provider's recommendation. Conclusions: Emphasis on provider recommendations and the knowledge and attitudes of influenza infection and vaccination may enhance influenza vaccination rates in the organized vaccination programs.

• Journal of Korean Dental Hygiene Science
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.141-150
• /
• 2023

Background: This study was conducted to verify the effectiveness of geriatric dental hygiene education by developing and operating an industrial demand-based curriculum for geriatric dental hygiene. Methods: Wilcoxon signed rank test was performed to verify the before-and-after differences in major competency achievement, geriatric dental hygiene awareness, and class satisfaction according to industrial demandbased field-oriented practical education, and Spearman's correlation analysis was performed to confirm the association between each factor(p<0.05). Results: In the case of major competency achievement, 'communication competence with the older adults' was significantly improved(p=0.031) after conducting industrial demand-based field-oriented practical training. Conclusion: It is believed that the understanding of the older adults and the practical skills for oral care of the older adults can be further developed when the learners are provided with a practical curriculum that can be used in the geriatric industrial field.