• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate functional disability for the elderly in rural Korea and to identify influencing factors of functional disability. Methods : The data were collected for 76 community-dwelling elderly in rural area and above 65 years. We assessed cognitive function, functional disability, depression using LACLS, WHODAS 2.0, SGDS-K. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics for general characteristics of subjects, Spearman's correlation among LACLS, SGDS-K, WHODAS 2.0, age, educational levels. And multiple regression was used to find influencing factors of functional disability. Results : As a result of this study, we identified that WHODAS 2.0 total score was 50.59, summary score was 9.94 and functional disability of the elderly in rural area is in the 70^th percentile. The highest level of disability occurred in areas related to 'life activities (household)', 'participation in society' and the lowest level of disability occured in areas of 'self-care', 'getting along with people'. Functional disability was significantly correlated with age (r=.398), cognitive function (r=-.547), depression (r=-.563) but not educational levels (r=-.215). Finally, we confirmed that depression (𝛽=.371), cognitive function (𝛽=-.263), widowed status (𝛽=.303), age (𝛽=.272), non-participation of community program (𝛽=.165) was significantly influencing factors of functional disability and the explanatory power of these factors was 52.80 %. Conclusion : This study revealed important factors of functional disability. Therefore, we need to consider these factors when we developed program related to health for the elderly (aged > 65 years) in rural Korea. Further, we need to standardize WHODAS 2.0 in order to enhance its applicability in clinical practices.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.257-262
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• 2000

This paper is to report our findings that vitamin B6 and folate nutritional state in the rural elderly population with alcohol dependency is poor. The present study was carried out to assess vitamin B6 and folate status in the 17 rural elderly subjects with alcohol dependency and 15 age-and sex-matched controls. Plasma and red cell folate concentrations were analyzed microbiologically, and pyridoxal-5-phosphate dependent erythrocyte alanine aspartate transminase(EAST) activity coefficients were determined using enzyme-coenzyme saturation kinetics. There was no difference in the amount of vitamin consumed between the two groups, and their intakes were 64% and 74.7%, respectively of the Korean dietary recommended allowances for vitamin B6 and folate. The mean percent activation for EAST of the total subjects was greater than 80%, suggesting an inadequate vitamin B6 status between the two groups. Folate concentrations in the red cell, but not in the plasma were significantly lower in the alcohol dependent(141.9ng/ml) subjects than that of the control(233.2ng/ml). Cigarette smokers had lower vitamin B6 and folate levels. Plasma and red cell folate levels were highest among the non-smoking, non-alcohol dependent subjects(11.7 and 257.3ng/ml, respectively) and lowest in the smoker-alcohol dependent group(6.7 and 132.9ng/ml). Finding ways to improve vitamin nutritional state such as vitamin supplementation might be necessary for the rural elderly people, especially for those with alcohol dependency.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.109-119
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• 1995

As the population of elderly in Korea is increasing rapidly since the 1990's and will more rapidly in the 21st Century, the demand of their health care would be a great burden to health care expenditure. Then it would be necessary to contemplate the functional status and life satisfaction for elderly to make them live more independently. The objectives of this study were find out the functional status in life and life satisfaction for the elderly aged 65 or over who had resided in urban area of two Gus in Pusan and rural area of two Myuns in Haman Gun in Kyeognam Province, and to provide basic data for planning systematic health care programme. The study period was two weeks from February 6 to February 18, 1995 and the subjects were 274 elderly of which 143 were urban residents, 131 were rural residents, and the study method was by structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed with SAS/PC/sup +/ programme using Chi-square test, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. The results were as follows; 1. To see the pattern of living together, those living with partners were the most common, 39.1% ; 37.8% of urban elderly lived with married sons, 32.2% of them lived with partners, but 46.6% of rural elderly lived with partners, 16.8% of them lived with married sons, which showed difference between residence(p<0.005). 2. Elderly who had jobs were 64.1% in rural residents, and 7.7% in urban residents, which showed significant difference(p<0.05). 3. The score of cognitive function of total subjects was 24.7, that of urban elderly was 23.8, and that of rural elderly was 25.7, then it was higher in rural ones and low for old-elders and those who had no jobs. 4. The score of PADL was 26.8 for urban elderly, 30.1 for rural elderly, and that of IADL was 22.2 for urban elderly, 25.6 for rural elderly, which showed higher activities of daily living for rural elderly than urban elderly(p<0.001). 5. The score of domestic performance was 21.9 for urban elderly, and 30.5 for rural elderly, which showed higher score for rural elderly(p<0.001). 6. The score of life satisfaction was 20.7 for urban elderly, 29.8 for rural elderly, then it was higher for rural elderly(p<0.01). 7. As a result of ANOVA for functional status in living by general characteristics; the score of cognitive function differed by age, job; that of PADL differed by age, job, education, and the pattern of living together, that of IADL differed by age, job, and the pattern of living together. The score of domestic role performance differed by age, job, marital status, and the pattern of living together. 8. ANOVA for life satisfaction showed that the score of life satisfaction differed by job(p<0.001) and the pattern of living together(p<0.01). 9. The correlations between functional status in living and life satisfaction showed that the higher the score of cognitive function was(r=0.39), the higher the score of activities of daily living was(r=0.50), and the higher the score of domestic role performance was(r=0.41), the higher the score of life satisfaction. 10. Stepwise multiple regression analysis for life satisfaction pointed out that residence was responsible for 39.9% of the variance. cognitive function was for 5.3%, and domestic role performance was for 1.2%.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2024

Due to the decrease in the school-age population and the overall population, school closures will continue to occur. Currently, most school closures are happening in rural areas, where geographical conditions often result in relatively poor educational, welfare, and cultural facilities compared to urban areas. Additionally, the proportion of elderly populations and migrant women is continuously increasing. In order to effectively utilize closed schools in the future, various efficient utilization methods that align with the social context of the respective regions will be necessary. The purpose of this study is to examine the status of closed school and utilization types in selected rural and island areas of similar sizes through field surveys and literature reviews. By comparing and analyzing these findings, we have identified the predominant utilization types in rural and island areas and assessed the current situation where utilization is lacking. Based on the results, we aim to provide fundamental data for improving and enhancing the utilization of school closures in the face of the ongoing decline in the school-age population.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 2018

At present, the elderly population in Korea is 14% of the total population and then We has entered an the society of advanced age. Along with this, elderly people with dementia and palsy are also increasing. The demand for elderly nursing homes for elderly people with severe diseases such as dementia and stroke is also increasing, and the existing buildings are being secured by Conversion of existing buildings. However, it is difficult to evacuate and fire due to the out of date of buildings by Conversion of existing buildings. For example, there is a fire in the Indukukwon, Pohang City and Hyosung Geriatric Hospital, Jangseong in Korea, which have changed the use of existing buildings. Many elderly people died in a night fire. It was because of the sandwich panel walls and PVC flooring material produced toxic gas instantly. In this study, we investigated the nursing home that changing the use and established fire prevention of human injury and countermeasure of evacuation. First, the sandwich panels which leading to deaths due to the toxic gas were installed in most nursing home. We recommend the RC, the masonry wall, and the glass fiber panel instead of the sandwich panels, In addition, the PVC flooring is most used in nursing home, the flooring material is considered such as the building stones, the tile, and the yellow soil closing instead of the PVC flooring. Second, we investigated the installation status of fire fighting equipment. As a result, the automatic-emergency open&shut equipment, the smoke ventilator and the evacuation slide were rarely installed. In order to secure the golden time in case of fire and to prevent the asphyxia caused by the toxic gas, the law should be amended to install the equipment.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.29-37
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• 2004

An areal elderly migration model (AEMM) was developed to assess the demand of rural development projects targeted towards elderly people. The AEMM was developed with adaptation of the gravity model to represent spatial interaction regarding amenities. Areal characteristics were classified for estimating the amenities from the perspective of net migration. From 1990 to 2000, data were acquired from USCB, PASDA, PAHEALTH, PADCNR, PFBC, and NCDC in 67 Pennsylvania counties for analysis and application. The results revealed that elderly migration can be explained not only by areal characteristics but also by spatial interaction considering the population, distances, and amenities of surrounding areas.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was done to identify the effect of a group walking exercise program on weight, obesity, blood pressure and cholesterol in elderly patients with hypertension. Method: From the population of elderly people in Hwasung city, 80 people with hypertension were selected as participants in this study. Frequencies and paired t-test were used to analyze the data. Results: The group walking exercise program lowered weight, obesity, blood pressure, and cholesterol. And such a change appeared to be effective statistically. Conclusion: Therefore, it is important to develop a program and environment that promotes group walking exercise in elderly patients with hypertension.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.43-50
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• 2012

According to the aging acceleration phenomenon of the population, Korean society is progressing toward the insecurity society on the 'blessing' or 'disaster'. The purpose of this paper is to establish direction of planning about the dwelling form of collective housing for the senior citizen who lives alone in rural and fishing villages. This focus of study is closely related to the health of the elderly and dwelling form preference. The results of research are as follows. First, the dwelling type of collective housing should be developed for elderly living alone, that must be secured by community life and private life at the same time. Second, it should be supported by such a level of application with Universal Design and Barrier Free Design. Third, collective housing served to the design that the elderly care, as one of the domiciliary care is value in having fact to psychological, physical intention. Fourth, it should be developed visit care or call care for welfare system service and community service manpower on the various types.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.646-656
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• 2003

Purpose: The Purpose of this study was to investigate how elders in rural communities maintain their sexual life. Methods: Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 20 participants who were 65 years old or older, and either were married couples or were continuing the sexual relationship though widowed. Data were analyzed based on Strauss and Corbin's (1990) Grounded Theory Methodology. Results: The core category of experiences of the elderly's sexual life was identified with 'changeable sexual life at husband's mercy'. This process could be divided into 3 stages, which were the stage of recognition of sex difference and obstacle in sexual life, the stage of observation of partner's attitude and the stage of husband's lead in sexual life. Conclusions: This study found that sexuality was an important aspect for the elderly although their sexual interests and activities declined along with aging. In addition, the husband's sexual and economic capabilities and sexual difference were very important factors in the elderly's sexual life. It is suggested to consider sexuality as a normal aspect of life for the elderly when nurses plan for their care.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.127-137
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in suicidal ideation according to general characteristics, and to identify the associated factors of suicidal ideation in rural elderly. Method: We surveyed 168 elderly people using structured questionnaires from March through April, 2013. Data analy was performed using descriptive statistics, ${\chi}^2$ test, Fisher's Exact test, and multiple regression using the SPSS program. Results: Significantly differences in suicidal ideation score were observed according to drinking state(p=.036), sleep state(p=.013), health state(p=.020), and stress state(p=.049). The associated factors identified in this study significantly explained 13.2% of suicidal ideation. Smoking and sleep state were the most significant factors of suicidal ideation. Conclusion: Based on these results, development of programs for promotion of psychological health in order to reduce suicide rates of the elderly is urgent. In particular when focusing on relations between sleep disturbance and suicide, it is considered that nursing intervention will be required to promote quality of sleep in clinical practices and communities.