• Health Policy and Management
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.462-471
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• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the association between participation in social activities and mortality rates for those aged 45 aged and older in Korea. Methods: In this study, the 1st to 6th Korea Longitude Study of Aging was used to analyze 10,217 people excluding missing values among middle and old age groups aged 45 or older. The scope of social activities was classified into "religious gatherings," "religious gatherings," "leisure/cultural/sports-related organizations," and "clubs/hometowns/religious associations," and analyzed using a chi-square test and Cox proportional risk model. Results: In the case of non-participating groups in religious activities, the mortality rate was 1.24 times higher (hazard ratio [HR], 1.24; p=0.000) than those of the participating group. The non-participating group of social gatherings had a 1.27 times higher mortality rate (HR, 1.27; p<0.0001) than the participating group. In addition, the mortality rate of non-participating groups related to leisure/cultural/sports was 1.79 times higher (HR, 1.79; p=0.000). The mortality rate of the group that did not participate in the alumni association/festival/folklore society was 1.51 times higher than that of the participating group (HR, 1.51; p<0.0001). As a result of correcting the control variable to analyze the relationship between the number of participants in social activities and the mortality rate, the mortality rate of the group participating in one or less social activities was 2.26 times higher (HR, 2.26; p<0.0001) compared to the four or more social activity participating groups, and the mortality rate of the 1-3 social activities was 1.64 times higher (HR, 1.64; p<0.0001). Conclusion: As a result of the study, it was found that participation in social activities of the middle-aged and elderly groups was effective in reducing mortality, and in particular, it was found that there was a strong relationship with mortality in less than one social activity group. Therefore, it is intended to provide an academic basis for lowering the mortality rate of the group in line with the continuous improvement of domestic social activity participation conditions, and through this, this study can be expected to serve as a policy and institutional basis for lowering the mortality rate of the group.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.412-421
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the status of Successful Aging among the elderly aged 65 and over in rural areas and to compare factors related with Successful Aging between "kyung-ro-dang" users and non-users. Methods: A total of 181 elderly aged 65 or older were selected from four districts (Heung-upri, Mejiri, Sajerri, and Daeanri) of Wonju city. A survey method using face to face interviews was applied to collect information. Successful aging was measured on a 5-point Likert-type scale using the successful aging scale developed for the Korean elderly, which indicates the higher the score, the higher the level of successful aging. Descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were computed; the level of significance was set at 5%. Hierarchical polynomial regression was applied to find out the factors associated with successful aging. Results: Of the total, 112 elders used kyung-ro-dang and 69 elders who did not use kyung-ro-dang. The level of successful aging of the elderly was higher among kyung-ro-dang users than non-users. The factors related to successful aging among kyung-ro-dang users were walking and social participation. Users who walk more than 4 times per week and social participation activities have a higher level of satisfaction. In the case of non-users, a higher level of monthly income, having a spouse, social support, and social participation associated with a higher level of successful aging. Conclusion: Monthly income, social participation, and social factors were found to be related to successful aging along with physical and mental health conditions among the elderly in rural areas. Therefore, it can be concluded that income, social as well as mental and physical factors, are more critical for successful aging in the rural community care in Korea.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.436-443
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• 2022

Objectives: Previous studies have reported that self-neglect, which may be a sign of elder abuse, can result in suicide among older adults. The signs of self-neglect and its impact on the risk of suicide may differ by gender. Thus, this study explored the association between self-neglect and suicide risk in older Korean adults and examined the potential moderating effect of gender on this relationship. Methods: Data were collected from 356 Korean adults aged 65 or older through an online survey. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the research hypothesis. First, the associations between 4 sub-dimensions of self-neglect (i.e., daily life management issues, personal hygiene issues, financial management issues, and relational issues) and suicidal ideation were examined. Then, the moderating effect of gender on these relationships was investigated by including interaction terms. Results: Self-neglect was significantly associated with suicidal ideation in older adults. Aspects of self-neglect related to daily life management and relational factors were key predictors of suicidal ideation. Gender significantly moderated the effect of the relational dimension of self-neglect on suicidal ideation. The relational dimension of self-neglect was more strongly associated with suicidal ideation in older women than in older men. Conclusions: The findings suggest the importance of screening older adults with signs of self-neglect for suicide risk. Special attention should be paid to older women who experience relational issues as a high-risk group for suicidal ideation. Public programs and support systems should be established to improve daily life management and promote social relationships among older adults.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Interior Design Conference
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.205-208
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• 2006

This research investigated the public rental houses In Yangchon-gu, whose locational attribute are suitable for the public rental house and has superior position in both inhabitants' participation and public welfare program. The public rental house has several types, such as permanent lease house, public lease. And several programs, the aged support police and medical services delivery system, have been the leading models for other local governments. Also, there are residents who are in their forties and fifties in the public rental houses in Yangchon-gu. un occupied is less than 1% and it seems that there is few turnover rate. 1 household rate and 2 households rate look like similar in the number of family member, total social public welfare program is focus on family welfare, juvenile welfare, teenager welfare, handicapped person welfare local, welfare and old people welfare. Accordingly, this research is used for base data of questionnaire and the first data for grope various improvement while planning group public rental house for low income group. And this research will be improved directional grope for improve livable public rental house around residents.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.121-139
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• 2010

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the health promotion activities of the elderly Korean aged 65 or older and to examine the related factors associated with the health promotion activities. Methods: Data were obtained from 2008 Social Statistics Survey of Korea National Statistical Office of 6,207 people aged 65 or older. We measured the socio-demographic characteristics, physical health status, social health status, and health promotion activities. Statistical analyses were employed through the $X^2$-test and Odds ratio using Logit Model. Results: In our study, health promotion activity practice rates were varied among the socio-demographic characteristics, physical and social health status. Our findings also support that better socio-demographic and physical health status explain the higher practice rates of health promotion activities. In addition, the higher social health status was associated with better practice rates of health promotion activities. Conclusion: We found that the health promotion activities of the elderly could be encouraged by better socio-demographic status and physical and social health status. To better accomplish the health promotion for the elderly in our community, policy-makers should need careful political deliberation for executing health promotion services considering the distinctions of programme and target groups.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.107-114
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• 2011

According to the aging society, the housing environments of senior citizens who live alone are faced with social various problems. On the dwelling welfare, development of model for the silver house is necessary at the reducing of social expense. Particularly, the silver housing conditions of rural and fishing villages are poor than urban region. The results of this research are as follows. First, the senior citizens who live alone looked to an negative opinion about cohabitation of the aged, but the senior citizens who don't live alone and preliminary old man group showed a positive opinion to the regarding cohabitation. Second, Most of the aged was in poor health, On this account they expressed an opinion that they were opposite to the cohabitation opinion. Although considering health, simultaneous design of both private life and community life shall be reflected to the preferential design element in co-housing of the aged. Through these co-housing for the aged in rural and fishing village, the senior citizens who lives alone have prevented poor housing surroundings, loneliness, loss of role, uneasiness, gloomy, chronic disease.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.163-190
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to understand the origin of the super-aged rural community and the meaning of the elderly's life in such a unique society by looking into the elderly's life from the past to the present to the future. For the study in-depth interviews have been done with 16 old people living in Geumdong village, Imshil-gun of Jeonbuk Province, one of the most aged communities of Korea. By analyzing their statements, 4 themes have been found from 11 meanings of statements on the past life, which is characterized by their fight against bonds of extreme poverty and misfortune. On the present life, which is characterized by their bare existence in senility and their endless sacrifice for the children as they are never free from the physical pains accompanying the ageing and the concern about their children, 5 themes have been found from 14 meanings of statements. About the future life, which is characterized by their calm acceptance of the fate of their later life and their village which they think will disappear after they die, 3 themes have been found from 7 meanings of statements.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.119-129
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the status of depression and the cognitive function among the elderly over 65 years of age who use the welfare facilities for the aged in the community. Methods: For this study the data were collected from March 27, 2006 to April 14, 2006. Subjects were 92 elderly over 65 years old. The level of depression was estimated with the Beck Depression Inventory, and the cognitive function with the modified Mental Status Questionnaire (MSQ). The Data were analyzed using frequencies, t-test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient with the SPSS/PC program. Results: The results of this study are summarized as follows. 1. The mean score was 13.09 for depression and 8.27 for cognitive function. 2. Analysis according to the demographic characteristics confirmed a statistically significant difference on the level of cognitive function between the elderly who live alone and those who live together(f=4.293, p<0.01) 3. The percentage of the severely and mildly impaired in cognitive function was 7.6% and 6.5%, respectively. 4. The variables of age(f=11.17, p<0.01), educational level(f=15.23, p<0.01), martial status(f=4.084, p<0.01), and economic activity(t=4.41, p<0.01) showed a significant effect on cognitive function. 5. There was no relationship between depression and cognitive function. Conclusion: Social support and a variety of programs at welfare facilities in the community were recommended in order to reduce depression and cognitive impairment in the elderly.

• Archives of design research
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• v.20 no.1 s.69
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• pp.101-110
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• 2007

Since elderly welfare centers were designated as leisure facilities for elders by the Welfare of the Age Act enacted in 1981, they have been built in cities and provinces, but services provided by the facilities have not been diverse. Furthermore, thanks to the full enforcement of the local autonomy system, the number of elderly welfare centers is increasing rapidly. In the Honam area, 36 elderly welfare centers were in operation in 2005, but most of them do not reflect the characteristics of the aged population and the corresponding locality. Neither are there service programs nor detailed plans for spatial structure or layout for such sonics programs. Therefore, this study classified program spaces and analyzed space locations in elderly welfare centers in the Honam area, and investigated the spatial layout of each facility including counseling spaces, medical and rehabilitative spaces, social education spaces, welfare spaces and management spaces. The ultimate purpose of this study is, based on the results of the analysis and investigation, to present basic materials necessary for designing the spatial structure of elderly welfare centers that satisfies various services in consideration of the local characteristics of the Honam area.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.80-93
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• 2006

This purpose was to explore various directions of elderly service welfare space in village community center. Data were collected 3 types that floor plans of village community centers from 24 villages, interview data of these centers use and needs from 24 aged leaders or 96 elderly. The results were as followed: 1) The floor plans of more than 50% was type IV that was composed a basic spaces(entrance, living room, two rooms, kitchen), a toilet space, a heating system space and a storage space. This type was a current basis of the rural village community centers for elderlies. 2) Elderlies used the centers at winter or out of agricultural season, and visited these to pass the time and to promote friendship among them. 3) Also they went these to take a meal together and to save down personal heating expenses. Their needs for centers were a temporary share dwelling space at winter, a maintain social relationship throughout a health, a education and a side work activity, supplying health or sports facilities, and setting up toilet space. Therefore the current centers were needed to add functions of a temporary share dwelling, a energy saving heat system and a social promoting relationship, and so these could be represented to a elderly welfare service center in rural villages.