• Journal of the Korean housing association
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.45-53
• /
• 2008

The purpose of this study was to find out older adults' current uses, satisfaction level and life changes by using digital home services. The study collected data from 140 persons who were 55 years and older living in a digital home. The results of the study showed that consideration level of digital home service installation was the major variable to affect the residents' life changes. In general, the residents who use more digital home services experienced higher positive life changes. Therefore, for older adults, various ideas to expand their understanding of digital home services should be developed to increase their positive life changes.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.820-830
• /
• 1997

Sleep is an essential component for health and the quality of life of individuals, and is affected by multiple factors. Thereby, sleep impairment is known to be frequent even in healthy subjects. The purpose of the study is to compare sleep patterns and related factors between healthy young and old adults and to identify aging effects upon sleep in a cross-sectional way. The survey questionnaire was developed by translation and modification of two well-known sleep questionnaires which were originally developed by Monroe(1967) and Ellis, et al. (1982). Discussion with experts and pilot study were completed to finalize the contents of the questionnaire that was used in this study. Results are as follows : 1. Sleep complaints were lower in older adults. 2. The most frequent variables that explain sleep satisfaction were feeling rested in the morning in the older adults and feeling rested and failing asleep within five minutes in the young adults. 3. Regarding sleep-disturbing factors, physical factors were more frequently reported in the older adults and environmental factors are reported more frequently in the young adults, and there was no difference related to the emotional factors between the two groups. 4. Young adults were practiced strategies for better sleep more often than the older adults, and they were mainly in-home activities just before sleep. 5. Sleep patterns which change with aging were as follows : going to bed and waking up earlier : not staying in the bed long after waking up ; getting harder to fall asleep ; frequent arousal after sleep onset ; getting harder to go back to sleep after arousal during night sleep. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that sleep and related factors of the young and the older adults are different. Also, sleep patterns change with aging and those changes seem to be negative for sleep in the elderly. Repeated studies are needed to establish more concrete information regarding sleep patterns. In addition, further research is needed to develop more reliable, valid, and feasible sleep measure tools, and to develop and evaluate nursing interventions.

• 한국노년학
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.583-600
• /
• 2017

The purpose of this study is to explore qualitatively what kind of coping strategy the Korean older adults use when they are depressed and why. Participants were users, older than 60, of an elderly welfare center in Seoul, and answers of 34 respondents who experienced depression were included in the analysis. The collected data were analyzed through content analysis. The results of the analysis showed that strategies to cope with depression used by participants were composed of 6 domains and 11 sub-domains: health behavior (medical approach / exercise and diet), family and social contact (social interaction / going out and going on a trip / communication with family), Religious activities (Religious activities), lifelong education (hobbies / educational activities), productive activities (labor), health risk behaviors (drinking and gambling / resignation). The depression coping strategies of the older adults and their characteristics are as follows. First, older adults used diverse problem-focused coping strategies to cope with depression. Second, older adults considered various coping strategies together and used them simultaneously. Third, the facility space for older adults functions as a shelter. Fourth, although there were cases where medical approach was used, the intention to reuse was very low. Through this study, the following suggestions were made to help older adults cope with depression more successfully. First, access to various coping strategies should be promoted. Second, more places where older adults can spend their time comfortably need to be provided. Third, resistance to mental health care should be resolved.

• 한국노년학
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.1045-1058
• /
• 2010

Based on Rawl's Justice Theory, the author examines the rationales for educating older adults and advocates for their needs for just distributions of educational resources and opportunities. The author also seeks policy implications for establishing just educational systems for older citizens. On the basis of Rawl's Justice Theory, the essential principles for realizing social justice are presented. The author points out the Veil of Ignorance and Rational Indifference. As the practical methods for achieving social justice, the author presents Exclusion of Coincidence, Difference Principle, Democratic Equality, and Common Asset. Implications for establishing just education systems for older adults include: 1) The least advantaged groups such as older adults, females, and the disabled should not be discriminated in the distribution of educational resources; 2) People with higher capacities are obliged to serve less capable people; and 3) Older adults should mobilize all resources to empower themselves and to develop their potentials. The author concludes that Rawl's Justice Theory can be tapped into as a useful ideological framework in order to expand educational resources and opportunities for older adults.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.52 no.4
• /
• pp.451-463
• /
• 2022

Purpose: This study examined the reciprocal relationships between depression and income, and gender differences in these relationships among older adults in South Korea. Methods: Using 2015 to 2019 of the Korea Welfare Panel Study (KoWePS), we studied 6,070 older adults (2,394 men and 3,676 women) aged 60 years over in 2015. The generalized estimating equation was employed to explore the effect of an individual income on depression and the reverse causal link-that of depression on income. Results: The study found the reciprocal relationships between income and depression. Income has a significant impact on depression. Higher-income was linked to decreased risks of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scores among older adults (B = - 0.121, p < 0.001). Estimates of the reverse causal link show that higher CES-D scores were also linked to income reduction among Korean older adults (B = - 0.007, p < 0.001). In addition, we also observed gender differences in the impact of income on depression but not in the reverse causal link. Income has more detrimental to psychological consequence for older men (B = - 0.108, p < 0.001) than older women (B = - 0.057, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The finding implies that both psychological and social protection policies for the elderly are needed in view of gender perspective.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.424-432
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to analyse relationship between leisure sports' activities among older adults on activities of daily living and successful aging. For accomplish this purpose of study, the survey questionnaires were used to collect data. This study firstly set up the population as the Korean elderly who were aged over 65 and living at Seoul as of 2009, 300 persons were chosen by sampling. The numbers, used in actual analysis is leisure sports' activities participant 162, non participant 128. total 300. The statistics method utilized in this study for analyzing the collected data were ANCOVA analysis, multiple regression analysis, path analysis. Activities of daily living reliability is $\alpha$=.876 above and successful aging reliability is $\alpha$=.807 above. The conclusions of this study were as being follows. First, according to the experience of in leisure sports' activities of older adults, it was not difference between the activities of daily living. Secondly, the experience of in leisure sports' activities of older adults had positive effect on successful aging. Thirdly, more intensity of in leisure sports' activities of older adults, had positive effect on instrumental activities of daily living. Fourth, more frequency and intensity of in leisure sports' activities of older adults, had positive effect on social successful aging, more frequency and period(time) of participated in leisure sports' activities of older adults, had positive effect on psychological social successful aging. Finally, the degree of in leisure sports' activities of older adults, had direct or indirect positive effect on activities of daily living and successful aging.

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

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.255-265
• /
• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of group art therapy on old adults' powerlessness, loneliness. depression and self-image (for 55-year old or older people). Method: An experimental group of 10 persons were given group art therapy for 1 hour per week for 8 weeks. Results: The result of this study showed that group art therapy is effective in decreasing older adults' powerlessness (p<0.05) and their loneliness and depression (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the score of loneliness (p>0.05). A tree test was executed to analyze self-image change. and the result of the tree test showed a significant change in the tree shape. which mean a significant positive change in self-image. Conclusions: The scores of older adults' powerlessness, loneliness and depression were lowered by the group art therapy. Therefore it is thought that group art therapy program was an effective intervention for improving older adults' quality of life. Thus, this study suggests to apply group art therapy as a supportive nursing intervention in order to manage powerlessness, loneliness, depression and self-image in old low-income adults.

• 한국노년학
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.295-308
• /
• 2021

This study is a descriptive study conducted to find out the predictive factors according to the level of the frailty of the communitydwelling older adult in a rural area. Data were collected from 400 older adults aged 65 years or older living in rural areas of Gyeongsangnam-do from October 2019 to March 2020. Data were analyzed using logistic regression to examine the predictive factors according to the level of frailty. The results showed that 27.8% for robust older adults, 30.9% for pre-frailty older adults, and 41.3% for frailty older adults. As a result of analyzing the predictive factors according to the level of frailty, the predictors from the robust stage to the pre-frailty stage were grip strength, nutritional status, and depression. The predictive factors for entering the pre-frailty stage into the frailty stage were gender, nutritional status, physical performance ability, and depression. Also, it was found that the predictive factors for entering from the robust stage to the frailty stage were sex, occupation, nutritional status, physical performance ability, and depression. Through this study, it was possible to understand the level of the frailty of the older adults living in rural communities and the effects of multidimensional variables. These results can be used as basic data necessary to find a way to prevent and manage the progression of frailty among older adults in rural areas.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.7-14
• /
• 2011

This paper is intended to suggest some reference materials for future elderly housing design, especially smart home, in Korea, by reviewing the elements and applications of smart home concept for older adults in USA. Research method includes collecting materials by attending the regular SmartHome$^{(R)}$ part meeting, the navigation of related homepages, and the analysis of collected materials. Current researches in Korea look initial stage and show some general principles without practical concept & technologies of elderly facilities. SeniorSmart$^{(R)}$ Center in USA started on August 2007 with the 3 parts of SmartHOME$^{(R)}$, SmartWHEELS$^{(R)}$ and SmartBRAIN$^{(R)}$. The Center has been doing various multidisciplinary research projects but slowing down the planned processes due to national economic recession. The major researches of SmartHome$^{(R)}$ part can be summarized as follows; CS-PFP( Continuous Scale Physical Function Performance) laboratory is being in operation to help older adults and families make the difficult decision regarding the ability and safety to live independently. Three levels of necessary laboratories from uninhabited space to senior living environment were accommodated for field research. As core technologies of SmartHome$^{(R)}$, predicting & warning system of fall risk on recognizing gait signature patterns to identify any deviation from the normal patterns of the older adults, home monitoring system which will send alerts to a specified relative and/or health care professional when vital signs of the older adults will not be within normal parameters, and Mobility & Research Clinic for evaluating, treating the older adults & multidisciplinary research are under development. SmartHome$^{(R)}$ has made collaborative research agreements for field laboratory with various retirement communities and also is continuing to work for experimental software engineering with the Fraunhofer Institute, Germany.