• 한국노년학
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.431-446
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• 2012

The objective of this study is to introduce the theory of Gerotranscendence and the ninth stage of Erikson & Erikson(1997)'s psycho-social development theory in order to enable the academic Korean field to have a more positive and fresher point of view on aging. In order to meet this objective, this study will first take a look at Erikson's 9th stage expansion theory on human development. Then we will study Gerotranscendence as the most representing phenomena among the 9 stage theory so that the Korean Gerontology field can utilize it for future plans. The definition of Gerotranscendence was first introduced by Tornstam(1994) and has been applied as Erikson & Erikson's 9 stage theory ever since. Gerotranscendence can be described as an individual that has entered his golden years after middle age, which transforms one's point of view on life from a materialistic and logical one to a more universal and transcending one. Gerotranscendence is a voluntary and overcoming process of oneself that is displayed in many seniors which leads to a lesser focus on oneself in the eyes of the society, but increases the inter-relational bonding between past and future generations. The following is a summary of the theorhetical evaluation on Gerotranscendence which was analyzed in this study. First, this study introduces the Gerotranscendence theory, which is recognized as the most representative phenomena among Erikson's 9th stage theory that has hence expanded the application of Gerontology theories in the academic field of Gerontology. Second, this study has provided a new point of view towards the elderly in the practical field of senior citizen social welfare. With this understanding, practical levels of services from various points of view can be provided to acknowledge the needs of the elderly. Third, a much wider field of research can be exchanged and provided along with other fields of studies by applying and extending this Gerotranscendence theory in Korea. It would also be especially beneficial to exchange researches within related fields of study such as psychology, sociology, nursing science, family science and the study of religion. Not to mention also lending support to hospitals for the elderly(nursing homes) and institutions related to senior welfare, or practical fields where there is an active exchange of research using Gerotranscendence theory.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 1999

The purpose of this study is to compare health status and activities for the pain and no-pain groups in the elderly. The study subjects included 189 elderly people(65 years and older) living in an urban area. They were surveyed at their homes through interview using a closed-ended questionnaire from Nov. 6th. to Nov. 16th. 1997. The instrument used in the study was selected after carefully reviewing pain-related articles and records well described the characteristics of the elderly. The data were analysed by using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. The findings were as follows : Of the 189 subjects, 83.6% reported experiencing the pain for the last year. By the age, there were significant differences between the pain and no-pain group(${\chi}^2$=9.572, p=.023). The percentage of the pain complainers was the highest in 80 years and older(100.0%), followed by 70~74(89.1%), 75~79(81.3%), 65~69(76.8%) which presented crude increase according to age. By sex, men had lower pain prevalence(69.5%) than that of women(90.0%). The number of pain complainers was higher in women than men(${\chi}^2$=12.448, p=.023). There were significant differences between the pain and no-pain groups by spouse distribution(${\chi}^2$=10.736, p=.001), educational state(${\chi}^2$=13.020, p=.000), occupation(${\chi}^2$=18.807, p=.000). Pain prevalence in the subjects having no spouse(59.3%) was higher than those having spouse(40.7%), Illiteracy rate was higher in pain group(49.0%) than no-pain group(13.3%). The number of the subjects having occupation(full time or part time) was fewer in pain group than no-pain group. By health status, there were significant differences between two groups(${\chi}^2$=40.055, p=.000). : the pain group showed poor(61.4%), followed by moderate(22.1%), good(16.5%) while no-pain group showed good(64.5%), moderate(29.0%), poor(6.5%). By activities, there were significant differences between the pain and no-pain groups. The pain group was disturbed more severely than the no-pain group in movement(${\chi}^2$=57.829, p=.000), sleep(${\chi}^2$=12.785, p=.000), usual activities(${\chi}^2$=39.196, p=.000), receiving guests(${\chi}^2$=13.163, p=.000), and hobbies and recreation(${\chi}^2$=28.177, p=.000).

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.238-272
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• 2002

This study was intended to find out the factors affecting to the IADL, allowing objective assessment of physical function status of increasing elderly populations. The subjects of 635 elderly persons aged over 65 years old who live in Taejon metropolitan city were interviewed during the two-month period from June to July of 2000. The IADL of Older American Resources and Services(OARS), developed in Duke medical college of USA, was interpreted for use. The study results were statistically processed using SPSSWIN(ver 10.0) and conferred the following results: 1. Among the seven items of IADL, the women showed higher rates of 'yes' in items about using the telephone, getting to the places out of walking distance, going shopping for groceries, taking their own medicine while outnumbered by the men only in the item about managing their own money, without significant differences between them in items about preparing their own meals and doing their own housework. 2. In terms of IADL scores, $82.0\%$ of subjects showed the normal range of scores and $18.0\%$ were under the normal range, meaning dysfunction IADL. Specifications of general characteristics revealed that more dysfunctional were the male subjects, the higher age groups who are more than 75 years old, the higher educated groups, the groups who live in nursing homes, the groups without a spouse. 3. Based on daily activities, lower scores of IADL were found in the subjects who don't go out, who don't have recreational activities, who don't attend elderly gatherings in their neighborhood, who don't hold social meetings. Specifications of psychological traits revealed that more dysfunctional were IADL in the subjects who don't feel satisfied with their lives of the past or the present, who have a deep feeling of isolation, and who don't have the will to live. 4. Among 7 items of health habits, only the subjects who don't regular exercise had lower scores of IADL than those who do. According to HPI, the lower HPI, the more dysfunctional. 5. Based on the factors associated with IADL, the odds ratio of the subjects who don't live together with their families were 1.53 times that of the ones who do, who are educated 3.22 times that of the ones who are not, who don't have spouses 2.09 times that of the ones who do, who don't go out 4.35 times that of the ones who frequently go out, who don't recreational activities for an interest 2.64 times that of the ones who do, who don't attend elderly gatherings in their neighborhood 1.47 times that of the ones who do, who don't hold social meetings 2.23 times that of the ones who do, who don't feel satisfied with their present living 1.43 times that of the ones who do, who have a feeling of isolation 1.53times that of the ones who don'1, who have the weak will to live 3.21 times that of the ones who have the strong one, and who don't regular exercise 2.45 times that of the ones who do. 6. Logistic regression analysis of the study results found that such factors are significantly related as the degree of education, with/without spouse, social meetings, the will to live, and regular exercise, and that higher rates of dysfunctional subjects were in the more educated group, in the group without spouse, in the group who don't frequently go out, who don't have social meetings, who have the weak will to live, and who don't exercise.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.1361-1381
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• 2009

There have lately been a variety of social issues in our society due to rapid social changes. Specifically, how to approach elderly people who suffer from dementia is never an easy task, and few in-depth studies have ever focused on their quality of life due to that. The purpose of this study was to examine the quality of life of elderly people with dementia and the relationship between their quality of life and the environments of facilities for them in an attempt to lay the foundation for the development of compatible programs tailored to the environments of the facilities and for relevant policy setting. It's ultimately meant to improve the quality of life of the elderly with dementia and the environments of facilities for them. The subjects in this study were elderly people with dementia who were housed in senior residential and medical welfare facilities in Daegu and Gyeongsangbukdo. The collected data were analyzed with a SPSS 12.0 program, and frequency analysis, cross-tabs and multiple logistic regression analysis were utilized. As a result, facility environments were identified as one of the variables that had a significant impact on the quality of life of the elderly people with dementia. There are some suggestions about how to boost their quality of life: First, good environments should be prepared in consideration of the characteristics of elderly people with dementia in order for themto be satisfied with their own quality of life, and the way of looking at their potentials should be changed. Second, it's found that main caregivers affected the quality of life of the elderly people with dementia, and the kind of programs that focus on the improvement of the relationship between elderly people with dementia and their main caregivers is required. Third, there should be a change in the environments of the facilities. The facilities should be well equipped to successfully respond to the symptoms of elderly people with dementia. To redress their poor accessibility to the facilities, infrastructure involving nursing homes and professional personnels should be built by utilizing the Internet, and the facilities and local community should make concerted efforts to provide quality care to elderly people in want of it.