• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.137-149
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• 2020

Objectives: This study explored the community food environmental factors affecting food purchasing using a qualitative research methodology for the elderly as well as the various food environments under their socioeconomic diversity. Methods: For the qualitative data collection, this study interviewed 20 elderly people aged 65 years or more, who participated in a public health program or lunch services operated by the senior welfare center in Seoul. Five dimensions, such as availability, physical accessibility, affordability, acceptability, and accommodation suggested in previous studies, were used to identify the community food environmental factors. Results: The elderly participants showed overall similarities to the concepts derived from existing studies on the five dimensions of food accessibility environment. In addition, other important food accessibility environmental factors that were not present in previous studies, such as acceptability for a product of domestic origin, delivery service to home, and small-packaged food sales, were derived. On the other hand, the concept of some subjects differed depending on the household income and specifically for the physical accessibility concept. This showed that the close distance factor from a grocery store at home might not apply to older adults in low-income households in Korea. Conclusions: This study found that five dimensions of the food environment suggested by previous studies could also be applied to vulnerable older adults in Korea. On the other hand, the socioeconomic characteristics of individuals and households would affect the perspectives of their local food environments differently. The findings of this study could help in the development of tools for evaluating the community food environment.

• Journal of the Korean Society for information Management
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.197-223
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to understand information behavior of older adults with diabetes. After reviewing previous research, related factors are identified and a questionnaire was devised. The structured interview was administered to the aged 60 and over in the B hospital (N=543). Data about awareness of the disease, health literacy, information environment, information need, information seeking, information use, information service, and personal background are collected and analyzed descriptively. Relationship between variables are examined and hypotheses are tested to find factors affecting information behavior. The level of the awareness of the disease and health literacy appeared to be low. It is proved that awareness of the disease is a factor affecting information need and information use. Health literacy affects information use. There is a statistical significant difference between information need and information use by disease education and duration. There is also a statistical significant difference between information use among groups divided by information environment, sex, age, and education. Based on the results, campaign to raise disease awareness, marketing promotion about information support facilities, customized information service for older adults are suggested.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.332-339
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare depression, somatoform disorders, and quality of life among older adults. Methods: Samples of 280 community-dwelling Korean older adults were included. The age range of the participants was 60 to 90 years (average $72.6{\pm}6.4$). The participants were assigned to one of two groups based on reported scores on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index from September 2006 to March 2007. The two groups were designated as "poor sleepers"and "good sleepers". A T-test was used to compare depression, somatoform disorders and quality of life between the two groups. Results: Forty-six percent of participants reported scores that indicated they were poor sleepers. Poor sleepers reported significantly higher depression scores (p<.001), higher somatoform disorders scores (p<.001), lower for each SF-36 quality of life dimension, and lower mental and physical health summary scores (p<.001) than the reported scores of those participants who were classified as good sleepers. Conclusion: Older adults with poor sleep patterns are more likely to report higher depression, more somatoform disorders and a lower quality of life. Additional research is needed to identify the appropriate nursing interventions aimed at improving sleep quality, depression symptoms, somatoform disorders and the quality of life.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.780-787
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine activities of daily living (ADL) of older adults admitted to Korean long-term care hospitals (LTCHs), and to explore the patient and organizational factors that have an impact on the ADL of this population. Methods: A secondary analysis of the Korean minimum data set (K-MDS) of patients (N=14,369) and of the profiles of LTCHs (N=358) from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service was done between January and July 2008. The outcome variable was ADL score 6 months after baseline assessment. Multi-level linear regression was employed to explore the patient and organizational factors that affected ADL scores. Results: Of the patients, 45.4% had a baseline ADL score of between 31 and 40, with a score of 40 indicating that the patient was entirely dependent for all items. None of the organizational characteristics were significantly associated with effects on the ADLs of older adults who had been in a LTHC for at least 6 months. However, patient characteristics, such as age, baseline ADL, frequency of physical therapy, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, pressure ulcers, and having a tube or catheter, were significantly associated with ADL 6 months after baseline. Conclusion: In order to maintain and improve the ADL of older adults in LTCHs, we should develop strategies to prevent urinary and fecal incontinence, pressure ulcers, unnecessary tubes or catheters, providing adequate physical therapy. Additional studies should include more detailed information regarding nursing staff, including RN hours for direct care, education level and turnover.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.347-355
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• 2018

A convergence study was conducted to identify effect size, intervention characteristics, and tendency of laughter therapies on depression for Korean older adults. Of the 486 studies searched in 10 databases, 20 studies in the inclusion criteria were selected. The risk of bias was assessed by SIGN's tool, and the data were analyzed using CMA 3.0 software. Overall effect size of laughter therapy on depression of older adults was medium (standardized mean difference [SMD]=-0.57, 95% CI: -0.70~-0.44, p<.001), and heterogeneity was small ($I^2=18%$). Subgroup analysis showed that the effect sizes of institutionalized group, mixed group, 4-6 weeks of duration, and group intervention were higher than the compared groups. Findings of this convergent meta-analysis would be helpful for health professionals to provide more effective laugher therapy sessions. Further replicative studies in long-term care facilities and more randomized controlled trials of laughter therapy are needed.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.139-148
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• 2012

Purpose: A study was designed to compare heart rate variability (HVR) of older adults with postprandial hypotension (PPH) with older adults with no PPH. Methods: The samples were community-dwelling older adults (${\geq}$ 60 years old) with PPH (n=35) and without PPH (n=35). HRV was measured by 10 minutes of electrocardiography using Physiolab 400 and analyzed in time domain (SDNN) and with power spectral analysis in frequency domain (TP, LF, HF, LF/HF). Blood pressure was measured every 15 minutes before and until 120 minutes after the meal. Results: All HRV parameters were lower in the PPH group compared to those with no PPH. Specifically the measures of SDNN, TP, LF, and LF/HF of the PPH group were significantly lower (U=385.0, $p$=.008; U=361.0, $p$=.003; U=375.0, $p$=.005; U=368.0, $p$=.004, respectively). Further, the LF and LF/HF of SBP (${\geq}140$ mmHg) group and the LF/HF of DBP (${\geq}$ 90 mmHg) group were significantly lower ($x^2$=6.33, $p$=.042; $x^2$=33.10, $p$ <.001; $x^2$=11.03, $p$=.004, respectively). Conclusion: These findings indicate that the autonomic nervous functions in persons with PPH are less activated than those persons with no PPH. The findings contribute to an understanding of HRV and the association of autonomic nervous function with the mechanism of PPH.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.691-700
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a computerized cognitive training on older adults affected by mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in terms of cognitive function, depression, self-esteem, and activities of daily living (ADL). Methods: This study used a non-equivalent control group non-synchronized design. A total of 53 older adults who reside in long-term care facilities were recruited, 26 subjects for an experimental group and 27 subjects for a control group. A computerized cognitive training was performed for 20~40 minutes/day, three days/week for ten weeks. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 21.0 with $x^2$ test, Fisher's exact test, and t-test. Results: Scores of MMSE (t=3.30, p=.002), depression (t=-2.15, p=.036), and self-esteem (t=2.76, p=.008) were significantly better in the experimental group than the control group. However, the difference in ADL (t=-1.01, p=.316) was not significant between the two groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the computerized cognitive training can be used as an effective nursing intervention to improve cognitive function and self-esteem and lower depression among older adults with MCI.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.184-194
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a diabetes management self-efficacy scale for older adults (DMSES-O). Methods: A preliminary DMSES-O of 22 items was derived from a literature review and seven domains of self-management behaviors. Content validity was confirmed by experts in diabetes self-management education. To test the reliability and validity of the DMSES-O, data were collected from 150 older adults with type 2 diabetes. The data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis, and Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ and Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated. Results: From the exploratory factor analysis, 17 significant items in six subscales were derived. Factors derived were named "problem solving for hypoglycemia and self-monitoring blood glucose," "problem solving for hyperglycemia," "coping with psychological distress and taking medication," "reducing risks of diabetes complications," "appropriate exercise," and "healthy eating." The criterion-related validity of the DMSES-O was established by its correlation with the Summary of Diabetes Self-care Activities Questionnaire. Cronbach's ${\alpha}$, a measure of internal consistency, was .84 for the overall scale and ranged from .54 to .80 for the subscales. Conclusion: The DMSES-O is a reliable and valid instrument to measure selfefficacy for diabetes self-management among older adults.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.19 no.1 s.57
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• pp.29-45
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• 2005

Korean society became an 'aging society' in 2000 years with a population of 65 years and over occupying $7.2\%$ of the whole population. And we expect that a population of 65 years and over will occupy $14.4\%$ in 2019 years, so Korean society will enter into an 'aged society' Older adults can't react correctly and rapidly to the disaster due to the decline of the physical function, therefore victims of older adults due to the disaster will increase as much as aging proceeds. For reducing sacrifices of older adults due to the disaster, 1 suggest that the propulsion of the disaster service policy for disaster week people like older adults, the policy of minimizing casualties due to fires, reinforcement of fire resources and enlargement of disaster services in rural communities, offering information about disaster services and reinforcement of functions of public relations, making new connection systems (e.g. educating welfare and post officials as volunteer fire officials), supplement of fire fighters, and the policy of lightening fire equipments.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.127-146
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• 2013

The elderly suicide has become a social problem, and the need for academic and practice-based knowledge for preventing elderly suicide has been addressed. Unlike previous literature focusing on identifying risk factors, this study aimed to address protective ones which help to overcome suicidal behavior among older adults. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand how older adults get over being suicidal and get back to life, and to identify what helps them during the process. Both in-depth interviews with 35 elderly with suicide attempts and field notes were analyzed through thematic analysis. The older adults described a pathway to rediscovering a 'will to live' that was related to a 'mind's incline' and included two kinds of protective factors. Based on the findings, it addresses the implication for the elderly suicide prevention utilizing protective factors.