• The Journal of Korean Institute for Practical Engineering Education
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.157-164
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• 2010

In these days, the frequency in use of senior friendly products including walker, mattress preventing bedsore, etc. is going up by an increase in the elderly population. In the case of the elderly, bad ergonomic design causes some problems in the aspects of usability and safety. In fact, lots of accidents came from using senior friendly products. In this paper, older adults' usability when using senior friendly products was studied through industry-university collaboration. Usability evaluation program was developed to support companies that develop or manufacture a senior-friendly product. Walker and mattress preventing bedsore were evaluated in aspect of its usability and the result were provided to the company.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.593-603
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of early health status on income status as young old adults grow older. Using Korean Retirement & Income Study(KReiS), this study finally included 923 older adults who were fully present from the first wave (2005) to the sixth wave (2015) for 10 years. The results of descriptive analysis show that the difference of income occurs due to the difference of health status at the early old age. In other words, older adults with good health status at the early old age(56 ~ 60 years old) have a relatively higher income level for 10 years compared with older adults with poor healthy status. In multiple regression analysis, the results represent that the better the health condition in early age, the higher the gross individual income, controlling for gender, spouse, and education level. In addition, older adults with good health at early old age stage have higher income level than those with poor health at early old age stage. The difference by health status continues as they are getting old. Therefore, this study suggests several policies and practical alternatives to improve the early health condition and to reduce the negative impact of early health condition on old age income.

• 한국노년학
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.709-726
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• 2010

As S. Korea is aging faster than any other industrialized countries, there exists a need to understand how best to improve the quality of life of the elders. The main purpose of this study is to examine the predictors of life satisfaction in the nationally representative sample of adults aged 65 and older (n=4,155) drawn from the Wave I (2006) of the Korean Longitudinal Study on Aging. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was run to assess the unique explanatory contribution of socio-demographics, social network, activity participation, and physical/psychological health on the life satisfaction. Three separate analyses were undertaken to note differences by education level: older adults with no formal education, those who had completed 9th grade, and those who had completed 12th grade and more. There are three main findings: 1) Physical/psychological health variables such as subjective health, regular exercise, and depression were significant predictors of life satisfaction regardless of education level; 2) While social network and activity participation factors influence life satisfaction of the two lower education groups, such factors don't affect the highest education group; 3) Marital status, household income, and location of residence were significant demographic predictors of life satisfaction regardless of education level. Implications for program development and policy are discussed in this paper.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.39-51
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• 2022

Objective : This study aimed to investigate the awareness and experience of community-based dysphagia therapy and related education in community-dwelling older adults. Methods : A total of 89 older adults were recruited from a public health center in Gyeonggi-do. Awareness, experience, and related education regarding community-based dysphagia therapy were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results : We analyzed 89 questionnaires. Awareness, treatment experience, and education regarding dysphagia were low; however, the importance and intention to participate were high. Respondents wanted education about proper chewing and safe swallowing, oral health, oral motor exercise, and participation in community-based dysphagia programs in public health centers. The reason for the lack of experience in dysphagia education and therapy is insufficient information and opportunities. The respondents had a good understanding of dysphagia symptoms. Conclusion : Dysphagia therapy maintains swallowing and eating functions as a life-long Activity of Daily Living, and is a very important area in community rehabilitation. Based on the results of this survey, the necessity and importance of community-based dysphagia were identified. It is time to provide correct information and develop a systematic education program for community-based dysphagia therapy. Occupational therapists need to play an active role in improving quality of life by early detection and providing proper intervention.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.26-40
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• 2024

Purpose: The aim of this study was to predict the subgroups vulnerable to poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL) according to gender in older adults. Methods: Data from 5,553 Koreans aged 65 or older were extracted from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. HRQoL was assessed using the EQ-5D tool. Complex sample analysis and decision-tree analysis were conducted using SPSS for Windows version 27.0. Results: The mean scores of the EQ-5D index were 0.93 ± 0.00 in men and 0.88 ± 0.00 in women. In men, poorer HRQoL groups were identified with seven different pathways, which were categorized based on participants' characteristics, such as restriction of activity, perceived health status, muscle exercise, age, relative hand grip strength, suicidal ideation, the number of chronic diseases, body mass index, and income status. Restriction of activity was the most significant predictor of poorer HRQoL in elderly men. In women, the poorer HRQoL groups were identified with nine different pathways, which were categorized based on participants' characteristics, such as perceived health status, restriction of activity, age, education, unmet medical service needs, anemia, body mass index, relative hand grip, and aerobic exercise. Perceived health status was the most significant predictor of poorer HRQoL in elderly women. Conclusion: This study presents a predictive model of HRQoL in older adults according to gender and can be used to detect individuals at risk of poorer HRQoL.

• 한국체육학회지인문사회과학편
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.47-67
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to understand barriers and problems associated with physical activity of older adults in a small town and to provide improvement plans based on socio-ecological model. This study employed three independent phases including survey, accelerometer study, and photovoice. Three phases were analyzed based on nesting design among diverse mixed method designs. Among 134 older participants, 73 older individuals reported that their physical activity per week was less than 150min in the first phase. Among the 73 older individuals, 40 older individuals participated in the second phase. In the second phase, 32 older individuals does not meet at least 150min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA) suggested by DHHS. Finally, 6 older adults participated in the third phase. Five major themes emerged including 1) lack of proper information and service regarding physical activity, 2)lack of support from people close to them, 3)some limits due to chronic disease, 4)lack of appropriate facility, and 5)lack of opportunity due to existing inactive lifestyle. Based on these five themes, this study attempted to provide the improvement plans with socio-ecological model.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.39 no.sup2
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• pp.261-268
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• 2009

Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of periodontitis in Korean adults and to examine the associations between periodontitis and known risk factors. Methods: Using Korean National Oral Health Survey 2006 data, a total of 4,263 people who had taken oral examination, interviewed by questionnaire, and aged 18 or older were sampled. The prevalence of periodontitis measured by Community Periodontal Index (CPI) was calculated and the differences in prevalence according to known risk factors (age, sex, monthly income, education, residential area, tooth-brushing frequency, regular dental visit, smoking, and diabetes) were examined with chi-square test. Logistic regression analysis was performed to see the effects of each risk factor on the risk of having periodontitis. All statistical approaches were reflected national sampling design using Survey procedures in SAS 9.1. Results: The overall prevalence of periodontitis in Korean adults was 10.3%. There existed statistically significant differences in crude prevalence for periodontitis according to the all risk factors. In logistic regression, older age groups (O.R.:2.94-3.71), people living in rural area (O.R.:1.87), and current smokers (O.R.:1.77) were significantly prone to have periodontitis. People who earned monthly income of more than 2 million Korean won (O.R.:0.64) and brushed their teeth two or more times per day (O.R.:0.60-0.62) had significantly lower risk of having periodontitis. Conclusions: About 10% of Korean adults had periodontitis in 2006. People who were older, living in rural region, in lower income status, smoking, less tooth brushing were more likely to have periodontitis.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.113-123
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• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of participation in social activities on the subjective health satisfaction of the elderly in groups with and without chronic diseases. Methods : Data were used from the "2014 the Korean Elderly Survey" and the subjects were 10,451 persons aged 65 years or older. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 18.0 statistical package. Results : The results of this study were as follows. In the case of the elderly without chronic diseases, only the employment status (${\beta}=.135$, p<.01) had a significant effect on the health of the elderly. In the case of elderly people with chronic illness, participation in lifelong education (${\beta}=.183$, p<.001), participation in social group (${\beta}=.277$, p<.001), volunteer work experience (${\beta}=.060$, p<.05), and employment status (${\beta}=.342$, p<.001) had a significant effect on health. Conclusions : Policies and systems are needed to actively encourage and support the social activities of the elderly. Additionly, care and attention are needed to provide social jobs for the elderly and build a sustainable network.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.888-898
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine and compare clinical manifestations and predicting factors for treatment-seeking delay among patients <65 and ${\geq}65\;yr$ with first-time acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: A total of 288 patients who were diagnosed with ACS were individually interviewed at C university hospital in G-city from November 2007 to December 2008. Results: Median pre-hospital delays for younger and older patients were 5 and 12 hr, respectively. Younger patients were more likely to be current smokers, heavy drinkers, obese, stressed, and have an unhealthy diet and family history, and to complain of chest pain, left shoulder and arm pain, perspiration, and nausea. Older patients were more likely to have hypertension and diabetes, and to complain syncope and dyspnea. Logistic regression analyses showed that after adjustment for age, gender and education, progressive onset of symptom and no attribution to cardiac problem significantly predicted pre-hospital delay >3 hr in both younger and older patients. Low perceived health status was a significant independent predictor in older patients only. Conclusion: Health care providers should be concerned with different manifestations between younger and older adults, and educate people at risk for heart attack about symptoms and actions to get immediate help.

• 한국노년학
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.569-587
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• 2019

This study aims to look at the factors affecting later-life expectation of semi-older adults. Total of 323 participants aged from 50 to 64 was used for analysis from the data of 'Korean's Perception on Aging Society', which was conducted on behalf of Initiative for Humanities' Research and Education, funded by National Research Foundation of Korea. Multiple regression analysis was used for analysis, and the results are as follows. First, later-life expectation of semi-older adults appeared to be high. Second, the significant factors were prejudice towards the elderly and social solidarity. That is, participants with lower prejudice towards the elderly and higher trust and solidarity with society showed greater later-life expectation. Based on the results of this study, future research directions and implications for policy and practice were suggested.