• 한국노년학
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.415-430
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• 2017

This study aims to examine whether assets matter for depression among older adults and whether the relationship between assets and depression is mediated by social activities. The research questions are based on asset effect theory, stakeholder theory, and activity theory. This study used the 5th wave of KLoSA data which is a nationally representative data in Korea. Research findings are summarized as follows: First, we found the negative relationship between assets and depression of older adults. Second, The relationship between assets and depression was partially mediated by social activities of older adults. The findings suggest that older adults with assets are more likely to participate in social activities and accordingly their depression is likely to decline. Based on the empirical findings, we can propose that asset-building programs targeting older adults should be developed and that the financial education and saving chances should be given to middle-aged adults who need to prepare old age in the long-term perspective.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.38-47
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• 2015

Objectives: Controlling blood pressure is a key step in reducing cardiovascular mortality in older adults. Gender differences in patients' attitudes after disease diagnosis and their management of the disease have been identified. However, it is unclear whether gender differences exist in hypertension management among older adults. We hypothesized that gender differences would exist among factors associated with hypertension diagnosis and control among community-dwelling, older adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 653 Koreans aged ${\geq}60years$ who participated in the Korean Social Life, Health, and Aging Project. Multiple logistic regression was used to compare several variables between undiagnosed and diagnosed hypertension, and between uncontrolled and controlled hypertension. Results: Diabetes was more prevalent in men and women who had uncontrolled hypertension than those with controlled hypertension or undiagnosed hypertension. High body mass index was significantly associated with uncontrolled hypertension only in men. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that in women, awareness of one's blood pressure level (odds ratio [OR], 2.86; p=0.003) and the number of blood pressure checkups over the previous year (OR, 1.06; p=0.011) might influence the likelihood of being diagnosed with hypertension. More highly educated women were more likely to have controlled hypertension than non-educated women (OR, 5.23; p=0.013). Conclusions: This study suggests that gender differences exist among factors associated with hypertension diagnosis and control in the study population of community-dwelling, older adults. Education-based health promotion strategies for hypertension control might be more effective in elderly women than in elderly men. Gender-specific approaches may be required to effectively control hypertension among older adults.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.1-11
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• 2002

Purpose: This study was done to describe the correlation among the older Korean American adults's health-promoting behavior, life satisfaction and self-esteem. Method: The subjects consisted of 183 community-dwelling Korean immigrant elderly living in the state of Washington, USA. The instruments for this study were Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile(47 items), Life Satisfaction Scale(20 items) and Self-Esteem Scale(l0 items). Frequency, percentage, t-test, ANOVA, Duncan test and Pearson's correlation coefficient with SAS program were used to analyze the data. Result: 1) The average item score for the health-promoting behavior was 3.51; the highest score on the subscale was nutrition(M=3.63) with the lowest being exercise(M=3.07). 2) The average item score for the life satisfaction was 3.11. 3) The average item score for the self-esteem was 3.12. 4) Health-promoting behavior was significantly different according to educational level and participation in society circles. 5) Life satisfaction was significantly different according to age, religion and participation in society circles. 6) Self-esteem was significantly different according to age, marital status, religion and participation in society circles. 7) Health-promoting behavior was positively related to life satisfaction and self-esteem. The life satisfaction was positively related to self-esteem. Conclusion: It follows from this study that there is a very correlation among the older Korean American adults's health-promoting behavior, life satisfaction and self-esteem. Therefore health promoting programs that increase life satisfaction and self-esteem should be developed to promote a healthy lifestyle of the older Korean American adults.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.188-195
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• 2018

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the level of dementia knowledge of older Korean adults living alone in rural areas and to identify related factors. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was applied. The participants were 231 older adults living alone who were recruited from 12 of the 13 primary health care posts in the rural area of Chuncheon. Participants' level of dementia knowledge was assessed using the Dementia Knowledge Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the t-test, analysis of variance, chi-square test, and Mann-Whitney test were applied. Results: Participants' mean age was $77.3{\pm}5.4$ years, and women comprised 79.7% of the sample. Over half of the participants (61.9%) had no formal education, and all the participants were enrolled in Medical Aid. The participants' average percentage of correct answers was 61.6%. The highest rate (94.4%) was for the item "Dementia can change one's personal character." The item with the lowest proportion of correct answers was "Dementia is not treatable" (23.4%). Dementia knowledge was significantly associated with age, education, health coverage, source of living expenses, and dementia risk. Conclusions: Dementia knowledge among Korean rural older adults living alone was relatively low. Participants' misconceptions about symptoms and treatment could hinder them from seeking early treatment. The results of this study suggest the need for active outreach and health care delivery for rural older adults living alone in South Korea.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.932-940
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was performed to measure expectations regarding aging among community-residing older adults, identify sociodemographic characteristics associated with the level of expectations regarding aging, and examine whether expectations regarding aging were associated with health-promoting behaviors. Methods: Data was collected by using questionnaires of a short version of the Expectations Regarding Aging Survey (ERA-18) and Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP II) from 99 older adults who resided in the community of Kyunggi, Daegu, and Kyungpook province. Results: More than 75% of the participants reported that it was an expected part of aging to have more aches and pains, to become depressed, and to become more forgetful. The mean score of expectations regarding aging was $23.15{\pm}17.80$ (possible range 0-100). The old-old, women, those with less education, less monthly allowance and poor health status had lower expectations regarding aging than other elderly. After controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and perceived health, expectations regarding aging were independently associated with health-promoting behaviors in older adults. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that older Korean adults have low expectations regarding aging, and expectations regarding aging influence health-promoting behaviors.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.73-81
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• 2015

Objectives: We tried to confirm physical activity of 1,000 Kcal per week was a meaningful point in controlling coronary artery disease risks in female older adults. Methods: Participants were 66 female older adults recruited from senior welfare center. Participants were provided with accelerometer (e-step, Kenz, Japan) for measuring daily energy expenditure. Graded exercise test was done for measuring aerobic fitness. Blood glucose and lipid were analyzed. Framingham risk score was calculated based on blood glucose, blood lipid, and smoking. These variables were compared between the group expended more than 1,000 Kcal/week and the group with energy expenditure below 1,000 Kcal/week. Results: The group expended over 1,000kcal/week showed to be superior to the counterpart group in following variables; AC(Abdominal Circumference), %BF, $HR_{rest}$(resting heart rate), $VO_{2peak}$, FBG, LDL-C, TG, BDI-II, QOL, AR(Absolute Risk), RR(Relative Risk). Conclusions: The group expended over 1,000 Kcal/week was likely to have less probability in CAD than group expended less than 1,000 Kcal/week. The result of this study suggests the important role of active daily life that can be replaced with that of regular exercise especially for those who are not available to do structured exercise.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.22-32
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• 2017

Purpose: This research was conducted to determine the effects of fall prevention exercise and education on physical fitness, fall efficacy, and fall prevention behavior among community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This study applied nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Data were collected from January 8th to March 4th, 2015. There were 24 subjects in the experimental group and 21 in the control group from two different senior citizen center in B city. The fall prevention program consisted of exercise, education, and telephone coaching was developed using self-efficacy theory: 'Performance accomplishment', 'Vicarious experience', 'Verbal persuasion', 'Emotional arousal'. Then, it was conducted once a week for 8 weeks. Data were analyzed with $x^2$ test and t-test using the SPSS program. Results: The findings indicated that fall prevention program conducted on older adults is good for improving their muscular strength in lower extremities (t=6.25, p<.001), physical balance (t=2.66, p=.014), physical flexibility (t=2.88, p<.001) and fall prevention behavior (t=6.19, p<.001). Conclusion: The fall prevention program can be used for community-dwelling older adults as a nursing intervention that enables older adults to enhance their self-care continuously. It is necessary to conduct a follow-up study to see if a self-help meeting could improve self-efficacy.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.192-201
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a multi-disciplinary self-management intervention based on empowerment theory and to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention for older adults with chronic illness. Methods: A randomized controlled trial design was used with 43 Korean older adults with chronic illness (Experimental group=22, Control group=21). The intervention consisted of two phases: (1) 8-week multi-disciplinary, team guided, group-based health education, exercise session, and individual empowerment counseling, (2) 16-week self-help group activities including weekly exercise and group discussion to maintain acquired self-management skills and problem-solving skills. Baseline, 8-week, and 24-week assessments measured health empowerment, exercise self-efficacy, physical activity, and physical function. Results: Health empowerment, physical activity, and physical function in the experimental group increased significantly compared to the control group over time. Exercise self-efficacy significantly increased in experimental group over time but there was no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: The self-management program based on empowerment theory improved health empowerment, physical activity, and physical function in older adults. The study finding suggests that a health empowerment strategy may be an effective approach for older adults with multiple chronic illnesses in terms of achieving a sense of control over their chronic illness and actively engaging self-management.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.474-486
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a Korean version of the Self-Care for Aspiration Pneumonia Prevention (SCAPP-K) scale in older adults at risk of dysphasia. Methods: The Hertz and Baas model of scale development and validation was used. In the development stage, items were generated via literature review and interviews with medical experts, older adults, and caregivers. Ten experts assessed the items for content validity. Subsequently, 12 older adults participated in a pilot test to determine the comprehensibility and appropriateness of the SCAPP-K scale. The validation stage involved a cross-sectional survey with 203 older adults for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and 200 older adults for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and to determine convergent and discriminant validity. To test the validity and reliability of the scale, EFA using principal component analysis with varimax rotation and CFA were conducted, and convergent and discriminant validity as well as internal consistency reliability were determined. Results: As a result of EFA, three self-care factors (knowledge, resources, behaviors) with 21 items were validated. The CFA and convergent and discriminant validity indicated the applicability of the three-factor self-care scale. The reliability of the SCAPP-K scale was acceptable, with Cronbach's α=.87~.91. Conclusion: The SCAPP-K scale has acceptable validity and reliability and can contribute to clinical practice, research, and education to improve self-care for the prevention of aspiration pneumonia in older adults at risk of dysphasia.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.302-316
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• 2023

Objectives: The study aim was to identify changes in the nutritional status of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic according to household income and demographic characteristics. Methods: Study participants were 2,408 adults aged 65 and over who participated in the 2019-2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). To examine changes in nutrient intake levels resulting from COVID-19, data of 2019 and of 2020 were compared. Study participants were divided into three groups based on household income level to compare these changes. The changes were compared according to household income level, age group, and household type. Results: Percentages of recommended intakes for energy, protein, and most micronutrients were the lowest for the low-income group of both males and females in 2020. The Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR) score was the lowest for the low-income group in both years. When comparing nutrient density for 2019 and 2020 by income group, the male low-income group experienced a decrease in nutrient densities of vitamin A, thiamine, calcium, and iron. For the same group, a decreased percentage for energy intake from protein was noted. Fruit intake was lowest in the low-income group for both males and females. Low-income males had the lowest intake levels for meat, fish, eggs, and legumes in both 2019 and 2020 and the lowest milk and milk product intake levels in 2020. Older adults living alone or single older adults with children had lower MAR scores than those living with a spouse. Older adults living alone experienced decreases in energy and thiamine and iron intake levels in 2020 compared to their intake levels in 2019. Conclusions: Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, nutrition intake levels worsened for older adult males in the low-income group and older adults living alone. This finding shows the need for a more systematic nutritional support strategy for the vulnerable older adults population in national disaster situations.