• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2001

With a continuous and steep increase in life expectancies, Korean society is expected to enter the aged society by year 2020. And as the number of elderly increases, the burden of medical and health care expenses for them becomes greater in every developed society. Hence, the preventive approach for chronic degenerative diseases remains to be the best solution for the above-mentioned problem and warranting optimal nutrition would be one of the most important approaches. We performed a nutrition survey on 585 older adults of 50 years of age and older, residing in 3 metropolitan areas including Daejun, Daeku and Kwangju. Anthropometry, including body composition analysis based on the bioelectrical impedance analysis using InBody 3.0 and dietary intake survey by semi-quantitative flood frequency questionnaires, were used in collecting data. As one of the most important factors affecting the health and nutritional status of the elderly, we focused on living arrangements. Analyses were performed on the data from 550 subjects only, after excluding statistical outliers. Three hundred and sixty-eight of them(66.9%) were female and the number of elderly(65 years of age and older) was 485. According to the statistical analyses, the female elderly were more vulnerable to malnutrition than the male elderly. And the older they befame, the less adequate they were in nutrient intake. In addition to this, the elderly living alone showed the poorest patterns of nutrient intake and anthropometry. Although the exact effect of living alone could differ among different sex-age groups, the fact that the elderly living alone is vulnerable to malnutrition would remain concrete. This raises the utmost necessity of nutrition intervention to be devised and directed to the targeted population, namely the living-alone elderly from the government level. The intervention may include nutrition education, nutrition counseling and support In forms of meal service by networking the efforts of central as well as local governments to ensure the good health of the Korean elderly.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.395-403
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• 2021

Objectives: Previous studies have shown that participation in social activities (SA) can prevent cognitive decline (CD) and that living arrangements (LA) can affect cognitive function. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of SA and LA on CD, as well as their interactions, using longitudinal data. Methods: Data were used from the 2006-2018 Korean Longitudinal Study for Aging, which followed 10 254 adults older than 45 years over a 12-year period. CD was defined as a ≥4-point score decrease in the Mini-Mental Status Exam over 2 years. We developed an extended Cox proportional hazards model for time-dependent covariates to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of CD in 4 groups: (1) socially active and living with others, (2) socially active and living alone, (3) socially inactive and living with others (SILO), and (4) socially inactive and living alone (SILA). The model was stratified by gender and adjusted for important confounders. Results: The HR of CD was significantly higher in the SILO group in men (HR,1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08 to 1.78) and in the SILA group in women (HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.08 to 2.75). However, the interaction term for gender was not significant. Conclusions: Among socially inactive elderly adults, the HR of CD was elevated in men who lived with others and in women who lived alone, although the interaction term for gender was not significant. Socially inactive men who live with others and socially inactive women who live alone are particularly encouraged to participate in SA to prevent CD.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.63-70
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• 2016

In this study, the correlation between convergence factors including social, environmental, psychological and physical factors and the health-related quality of life was examined using a structural equation model to find a practical alternative for improving the quality of life in the elderly people living alone. This study targeted 13,771 seniors from single households aged 65 and over, who were subject to the community health survey in 2014. Social capitals, stress, subjective health conditions and EQ-5D of the subjects were analyzed using SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 23.0. The analysis findings are as follows. The results of the model fit was good value with CFI=.906, GFI=.955, RMSEA=.074. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that for maintaining health and improving the quality of life in the elderly people living alone, families and local communities need to increase social capitals by providing care service for the elderly people living alone and grounds that they can participate in.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.205-217
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the subjective health status (SHS) of low-income older adults living alone. Methods: This is a cross-sectional correlational study using secondary data analysis. Sociodemographic and health-related characteristics were included in this analysis. The health-related characteristics were categorized into three domains: physical, characterized by the number of chronic diseases and fall-related factors, timed up and go, and grip strength; psychological, in terms of depression and loneliness; and social, in terms of social support. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The mean SHS score was 2.46 out of five. Several factors influenced the SHS of low-income older adults living alone, including sex, age, level of education, monthly income, and the three domains. Four significant predictive factors of SHS in low-income older adults living alone were identified (42.5%): the number of chronic diseases, fear of falling, depression, and social support. Conclusion: SHS is a critical factor for older adults living alone on a low-income. Hence, evaluating SHS and developing interventions to improve it periodically is necessay. Such interventions should consider chronic disease management, screening and mediation for depression and fear of falling, and strengthening their social support systems.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.31-38
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to analyze the characteristics and changes of elderly households in rural area. The elderly were classified as elderly living alone, elderly couple living together, and elderly living with their children. Data from the survey of Ministry of Health and Welfare conducted in 1998, 2008, 2017 were used for the analysis. The subjects of the study included a sample of 9,401 respondents who represent aged 65 or more in Korea. The result of analysis was as follows; First, over the past 20 years, there has been no significant difference in the composition of the sexes of elderly in rural area, and aging is becoming more serious. Second, elderly living with children continue to decrease, and elderly couple are increasing. The number of elderly living alone is on the increase, but it tends to decrease in 2017. Third, the proportion of houses in elderly households is still very high, but it is gradually decreasing and the proportion of apartments is increasing. Fourth, the frequency of communication with children tended to increase slightly in all household types, while the frequency of encounter decreased slightly in 2008 and then increased in 2017. Fifth, the health status and economic status of the elderly have been gradually improved over the past 20 years. Finally, the emotional support in all elderly households is maintained constantly, but the instrumental support is gradually weakened.

• 한국노년학
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.447-465
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to examine the life of single aged women receiving minimum living expenses. In order to accomplish desired result, I focus on social exclusion and Resisting women agent. So it provides them practical implication. This study approach life history study of qualitative study. Date were collected from four single aged women. Raw date were analyzed by Mendelbaum analysis frame offering dimension, turnings and adaptation. In research findings, their life was 'Begining of wandering' in childhood and then 'Floating life' since their marriage. After breaking up their husbands, They intend to do 'Existential life'. According to these results, I suggest the necessity of strengthening their own ability and taking the life of human nature.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.81-93
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• 2014

Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with suicidal ideation among the elderly living alone received the elderly care service in a rural area. Methods: This study was surveyed 206 the elderly living alone who received the elderly care service in G-gun, Jeollanamdo. The collected data were socio-demographic and health-related characteristics, family support and suicidal ideation. The used methods for statistical analysis were used t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson's correlational analysis and the multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: In univariate analysis, the suicidal ideation of the elderly living alone was statistically significant associated with age, monthly income, sufficiency of sleeping, depression, stress, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, perceived health status and family support. As a result of multiple regression analysis, the associated factors with suicidal ideation were age, depression, stress and the activities of daily living. Conclusions: The suicidal ideation of the elderly living alone in the rural area was associated with age, mental health and independency of living. It will be needed the multidisciplinary approaches to prevent the suicidal ideation and attempts of the elderly living alone.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.251-258
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• 2016

This study was to identify the relationships between activities of daily living(ADL) and stress by health characteristics in elderly living alone. A total of 260 subjects were selected through convenient sampling. Data were collected with a self-reported questionnaire from October 20 to November 20, 2014. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson Correlation Coefficients. Differences in ADL and stress according to health characteristics were as follows. ADL were significantly different according to problem of dietary habits. drinking, unsuitable health care, management groups. Stress were significantly different according to stress and availability and drug abuse. There was a negative correlation between ADL and stress. The findings of this study may be useful in understanding the health status of elderly living alone and developing more specific programs about ADL and stress control. Getting older, with the change in weight and chronic diseases, as the elderly living alone are indisposed with ADL, the applicatiom of physical activity programs and a stress management strategy is required.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.1-8
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• 2023

This study aims to analyze the trend of changes in the elderly living arrangement over the past 20 years and the reasons why the elderly choose these changes. The subjects of the survey were households aged 65 years or older in Korea. Data from the survey of Ministry of Health and Welfare conducted in 2004, 2014, 2020 were used for the analysis. The result of analysis was as follows; First, since 2000, the number of elderly households living with their children has been rapidly decreasing, while the number of elderly couple households and single elderly households is gradually increasing. Second, elderly living alone appeared more in rural areas, women, older people, and elderly with low education. They are in a vulnerable position that needs help. Therefore, welfare policies for the elderly should be focused on elderly single households. Finally the reason for choosing elderly single household in 2020 was that the voluntary choice by the individual accounted for a much higher rate than the unintentional choice by the children. In addition, the life satisfaction of the elderly who arbitrarily selected the living arrangement was higher than that of the elderly who deliberately chose the living arrangement.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.123-136
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to suggest a future senior housing plan by examining the preference of aged women in urban areas. The subjects were 465 elderly women in Seoul and statistics employed for the analysis were frequencies, means, Chi-square test, multiple regression analysis. Results were as follows : The respondents prefered senior housing located in suburbs. The most important locational factors were accessibility to garden and the aged women wanted living 20 minutes apart by walking or driving from their children's house. There was a tendency of moving toward three-generation house sharing kitchen and enterence with their children or assisted living which cared by warden as they get senile -living alone, poor income and poor health condition-.