• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.295-309
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• 2019

The purpose of this study were to identify the dietary practices of vulnerable older adults and to assess the foodservice and food provision service programs perceived by the health and welfare service providers in the community. A survey was conducted on health and welfare service providers working in outreach community centers and community health centers in Seoul. A total of 260 nurses and social workers participated in the survey and 224 responses were used for data analysis after excluding significant missing data. The respondents consisted of nurses (58.5%) and social workers (41.5%). In terms of the dietary life of the vulnerable older adults, they perceived that the food cost was burdensome to the older adults and poor dental conditions prohibited them from eating various foods. The health and welfare service providers rated highly for 'home-delivered meal and side dish services are effective for checking older adults' conditions' but rated low for availability of menu choices. In targeting vulnerable older adults for food and nutrition service programs, the home-delivered meal service was found to be suitable for older adults living alone, those over age of 80 years, those with mobility difficulties, and those with economic difficulties. The food provision service was appropriate for older adults living with their spouse or other family members. Vulnerable older adults are a heterogeneous population with diverse needs related to food and nutrition. Home-delivered meal/side dish service and food provision services will achieve their goals when they reach the correct targets with a customized service.

• 한국노년학
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.763-781
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• 2017

This study explores the relationship between indirect contacts of older adults and ageism related behaviors by investigating adults' exposure to portrayals of older people and their images in media. This study also investigates how indirect contacts of older adults influence ageism related behaviors such as avoidance and discrimination against older adults through attitudes and social norms about older adults. Using an online survey collected from 252 adults aged 18-64 years, the authors found that indirect contacts of older adults through media predicted attitude toward older adults as well as social norms. The results also revealed that social norm predicted both avoidance and discrimination behavior against older adults while attitude toward older adults only predicted avoidance behavior. Finally, the findings indicated that attitude toward older adults mediated the relationship between indirect contacts through media and avoidance behavior. However, social norm mediated the relationships between indirect contacts through media and discrimination as well as avoidance behaviors. Implication and limitation of the findings are discussed.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.92-100
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• 2019

Objectives: Young adulthood represents a critical developmental period during which the use of tobacco may begin or cease. Furthermore, differences in smoking behaviors between younger (aged 18-24 years) and older (aged 25-34 years) young adults may exist. This study aimed to characterize patterns related to current smoking in younger and older young adults. Methods: This study used data acquired from the Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted from 2013 to 2014. A total of 2069 subjects were categorized as younger (712 subjects) and older (1357 subjects) young adults. The chi-square test was used to assess the relationships between smoking status and socio-demographic, health-related, and smoking-related factors. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to assess the factors affecting current smoking in these age groups. Results: The current smoking prevalence was 18.3% among the younger young adults and 26.0% among the older young adults. Sex, education level, occupation, perceived health status, alcohol consumption, and electronic cigarette use were related to current smoking in both age groups. Secondhand smoke exposure at home and stress levels showed significant relationships with smoking in younger and older young adults, respectively. Conclusions: Strong correlations were found between the observed variables and smoking behaviors among young adults. Determining the factors affecting smoking and designing interventions based on these factors are essential for smoking cessation in young adults.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.429-437
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• 2011

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to describe the prevalence of low weight and to investigate related factors contributing to low weight in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: From the database of the Fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES-IV), the researchers selected 2,964 older adults aged over 65. The original study was a population-based epidemiological survey of health and nutrition with a stratified multistage clustered probability design. Data were analyzed using ${\chi}^2$-test and multiple logistic regression with the SPSS/WIN 18.0 program. Results: The prevalence of low weight in older adults was 4.7%. The prevalence of low weight was different according to demographic characteristics. That is, the rate was higher in male elders, older ones, and rural residents. In the cases of current smoking, frequent alcohol consumption and no chronic disease, the prevalence of low weight was higher. Age, gender, area of residence, and current smoking were found to be contributing factors to low weight in community-dwelling older adults. Conclusion: The result of this study provides important insights into possible reasons for low weight in community- dwelling older adults and suggests that low weight should be considered in promoting older adults' health.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.281-290
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• 2020

Objectives: Stress is the cause of several illnesses, in older people, stress may also cause various social problems. The oral health of older adults is closely related to the quality of life, and chewing ability is particularly important for their general health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between stress, the number of teeth remaining, and the chewing ability, which reflects the oral health status among older adults. Methods: This study evaluated the stress level and chewing ability of adults older than 65 years using the 6th (2014-2015) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination data. The total number of remaining teeth was determined based on the data of the teeth conditions. Results: There was an association between stress and chewing ability among older adults. The odds ratio of chewing function increased by 2.67 times (crude OR=2.67; 95% CI=1.88-3.79) with increased stress. After adjusting, the odds ratio increased to 2.74 times (adjusted OR=2.74; 95% CI=1.88-3.98). Conclusions: Reducing stress may facilitate effective oral health management and improve the overall quality of life in older adults. The findings of this study may help in the discovery of various approaches s to reducing stress in older adults and provide relevant information for oral health education.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.261-274
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to understand the current use of and demand for assistive eating devices. These device improve the self-feeding abilities in older adults. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional study design. Descriptive statistics were performed using SPSS 22.0 for Windows. The survey participant of 282 older people(47.7%), 42 family caregivers(7.4%), and 266 staff members(44.9%). Results: Whereas most of the older adults living in their home(87.3%) did not experience difficulty while eating, older adults residing in facilities(26.4%) expressed difficulty with the process of putting food into a spoon. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant(p<.001). Wile the older adults living in home considered assistive eating devices(34.5%) as the most important requirement for self-feeding, older adults in facilities considered receiving help(39.3%) as their biggest requirement(p<.009). Older adults, family caregivers, and nursing home staff were not familiar with assistive eating devices and were not aware of their necessity. Conclusion: The study could help increase awareness about assistive eating devices and the importance of self-feeding in research and nursing educational settings. Improvement in self-feeding ability may future enhance the daily quality of life of older adults.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.749-758
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• 2001

The purpose of the study was to analyze the functional status of low income elderly living at home according to their socio-economic factors, sensory function, health status, medical service utilization, commodity and types of chronic disease. Method: Functional status was defined by the level of mobility, ADL and IADL categorized as independently functional, mildly impaired, moderately disabled, and severely disabled. The data was collected by home-visit interviews with 567 community dwelling adults who were 65 years of age or more with low a income status subsidized by government in ChonAn. Results: 9.9% of community dwelling older adults were severely disabled, and 44.4% were moderately disabled in their functional status. There were significant differences in the functional status by age, education, religion, and types of family structure. The older adults with hearing impairment or dental problems had a significantly higher rate of severe disability. Self-rated health status and medical service utilization were also significant factors to the differences in functional status. The functional status of older adults was also significantly related to the presence of chronic health problems such as chronic back pain, stroke, and Alzheimer-dementia. Conclusion: The results confirmed that community dwelling older adults with low income status were more functionally disabled in comparison to general older adults at national level, while the relating factors to their functional status seemed similar to other studies on older adults. Further studies were suggested to look into functional status longitudinally and focus on the changes of functional status by managing modifiable influencing factors.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.12-17
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• 2024

Dry mouth is common among older adults and significantly affects the oral health-related quality of life. It is a significant risk factor for dental caries, particularly root caries, in older adults due to concurrent periodontal disease and age-related comorbidities. Clinicians managing patients with dry mouth must be aware of preventive measures against dental caries. This clinical review aims to update our knowledge on the use of fluoride for caries prevention in order to establish better strategies for the management of dry mouth in older adults.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.93-100
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• 2010

In this study, user survey and some experiments were carried out to identify older adults' characteristics and needs for shower chair design. Firstly, the category and design components of shower chair were analyzed through product analysis. Secondly, older adults' needs for shower chair were identified through user interview and observation. Thirdly, experiment to measure older adults' motion, EMG, and body pressure while using shower chair was carried out and then older adults' characteristics for the use of shower chair were identified. Finally, the direction of design for shower chair was proposed to improve older adults' satisfaction.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.161-166
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• 2009

Although the entrance of house has been identified as a hotspot for older adults' fall accidents, there was not any lift chair to prevent older adults' accidents. In this study, a lift chair was developed to reduce fall accidents that can occur when older adults put on or take off their shoes in the entrance. In order to develop the product, we considered two aspects. Firstly, we considered older adults' anthropometric data to determine the design specification of the product. Also we considered the environmental characteristics of space using the product. In order to overcome the limited spatial freedom and use the entrance space effectively, we took a simplified and folding type for the product.