• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.20-30
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• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the stress level and health status of primary caregivers living with demented elderly. Method: The subject was 92 primary caregivers who had been taking care of demented elderly at home. The research tools were a stress questionnaire and health status questionnaire. The data were collected through direct interview with a questionnaire in the B city, from February to March 2004. The data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients and Scheffe test using SPSS/PC 11.0 program. Results: The primary caregivers living with demented elderly showed slightly high level of stress and moderate level of health status. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between the stress level and the mental and the physical health status. Conclusion: Based on the results, we recommend the development of an intervention program to decrease the stress level of primary caregivers living with demented elderly for improving their health status.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.15-24
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate the family care-givers' perceptions of welfare facility for the elderly people with dementia, to analyze the related variables, and to provide the suggestions from the perspectives of the well-being of family care-givers. The survey was done using questionnaires in 1999, and the subjects were 198 primary care-givers for senile dementia patients. Frequency distribution, mean, t-test, and one way ANOVA were used to analyze the data. The major findings of this study were as follows: The family care-givers' perceptions of the welfare facility for elderly people with dementia was relatively low. The variables associated were sex, education level, occupation and relationship with the demented elderly. The conclusion suggested from this study was that the social welfare facilities and services were necessary for both the demented elderly people themselves and their family care-givers.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.155-168
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this research is to examine oral pathogen distribution among elderly with dementia in a care facility to understand the importance of preventively managing oral diseases in terms of preventively managing senile diseases. Methods: From 11th August 2015 to 11th October 2015, gingival crevicular fluid was collected from 130 subjects consisting of demented/non-demented elderly people aged above 65 in care facilities located in the regions of Busan/Gyeonggnam. Based on collected data, real-time PCR analysis on oral pathogen was conducted. Results: The demented elderly group consisting of female patients aged from 0 to 79 indicated higher ratios of T. denticola in comparison to the non-demented elderly group, and the demented elderly group consisting of female patients aged above 80 indicated a high ratio of S. mutans. It was confirmed that P. gingivalis and T. forsythensis categorized under the red complex are correlated, and that bacterial species categorized under the orange complex and bacterial species categorized under the red complex are correlated. Conclusions: Because eldery people with demntia are exposed to periodontal disease and dental caries, their oral environments are more vulnerable. In order to improve such environments, it is necessary to provide care facility personnel with an opportunity to receive education to become aware of the importance of oral health, and it is also necessary to compulsorily assign dental hygienists to care facilities so that they can serve as personnel specializing in oral health management.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.243-248
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• 2006

Objectives: The Quality of Life-Alzheimer's Disease (QOL-AD) scale is a reliable and valid tool for assessing the quality of life (QOL) in the elderly with dementia. This study aimed to develop the Korean version of Quality of Life-Alzheimer's Disease (KQOL-AD) scale for the demented elderly living in the community. Methods: KQOL-AD was administered to two groups: 24 demented elderly and 72 cognitively impaired elderly with no dementia (CIND) who were living in the community Each elderly person and their caregiver rated the elderly QOL. The Korean version of mini-mental state examination (MMSE-K), the clinical dementia rating (CDR), the activities of daily living (ADL), and the neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI) were also assessed. The reliability and validity of the KQOL-AD were examined. Results: In the dementia group, the internal consistency (Cronbach's $\alpha$), the split half and the test-retest reliabilities of the KQOL-AD were excellent. Scores on the KQOL-AD were significantly correlated with the scores of the NPI, but they were not significantly correlated with scores of the MMSE-K, CDR and ADL. In addition, the CIND group showed similar results to the dementia group. Conclusions: KQOL-AD might be a reliable and valid instrument for assessing QOL in the elderly with dementia It could be used as an important outcome measure for research on the demented elderly.

• Journal of Korean Academic Society of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.196-205
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• 2015

Purpose: This study investigated evidence for the effects of community-based cognitive rehabilitation programs for demented elderly. Methods: The literature review covered studies between 2004 and 2014, and searched international databases including Ovid-MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. The Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Non-Randomized Studies was used by two reviewers to evaluate independently the quality of the selected articles. Results: Eighteen studies were selected through a systematic search of the literature. About three quarters of the studies showed that the community-based cognitive rehabilitation programs provided by nurses were significantly effective in enhancing cognition among elderly individuals with dementia. Conclusion: Based on these results, we suggest that nurse is an appropriate profession to manage cognitive rehabilitation or cognitive enhancement programs for demented elderly individuals. Therefore, the current system in which caregivers provide cognitive rehabilitation programs for demented elderly individuals must be reformed.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.436-446
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate cognitive function, leisure activities and depression in female elderly, to examine the relationships among those variables and to investigate leisure activities and depression according to cognitive function. Methods: The subjects were 105 female elderly visiting two senior citizen centers in Seoul, Korea. Data were collected from November to December 2006. The participants were assured of anonymity and confidentiality. All information was collected through face-to-face interviews using questionnaires. Results: 26.0% of the participants were cognitive impaired but not demented and 17.3% were demented. The level of depression was severe and 77.9% of the subjects were depressed. The subjects were not actively engaging in leisure activities. There were significant correlations between cognitive function, leisure activities and depression in female elderly. Demented or CIND subjects were more actively engaging in extra family fulfillment type leisure activities than normal subjects, Conclusion: These findings showed the need for a program for female elderly regarding leisure activities. When counseling the elderly, nurses must consider their cognitive function, leisure activities and depression.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.143-149
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• 2002

Nowadays senile dementia is on the rise as consequence of serious social problem because of it is old aged society by improvement of medical service. However remedial approach is not being done because of we still don't have an infallible cure of dementia and dementia is been hard to cure. Thus it is introduced in this study to the concept of Occupational therapy, which is one of the remedies. I tried to find out which remedy is the best to cure demented elderly and which is been able to use on field. For this study, I applied a developed Occupational therapy program in actual practice. First, I chose nine demented elderly who are lived in 'David's house' located in Daejon metropolitan city, and I separated them in three groups for this study. Second, I applied each Occupational therapy to first and second group, and I did not apply any Occupational therapy to third group. The first and second group was applied the program, two times a week for an hour, for three months. The measurement of Cognitive function was practiced five times - one time before applying the Occupational therapy by MMSE-K, and three times during applying the program, and one time after ending of the program. The measurement of ADL was practiced two times - one time before applying the Occupational therapy by the Barthel ADL, and one time after one month from ending the program. Effectiveness of Occupational therapy and possibility of application of Occupational therapy program are proved because of this study shows the Occupational therapy keeps well the cognitive function and the ADL function of demented elderly, improves those functions, affects positively to the whole life. However we must develop Occupational therapy, which is proper to a trait of character, and expanded application is needed. In addition, temporary remedy must not be performed but continuous cure. This study will be complement by studying about special situation researcher cannot control something like unexpected death of demented elderly by other diseases.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.453-469
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• 2000

This study has a purpose to provide information to help develop nursing intervention for demented elderly staying at home. For this purpose I analysed the relationship of patients' disturbing behaviors with their demographic and social characteristics, premorbid personality, and present environmental characteristics through questionnaire survey on their family members. The survey was performed through direct interview, telephone contact. and mail in the regions of Pusan and Gyeongnam. Among family members contacted. 112 ones made an appropriate response to the survey. The statistical package SAS was utilized for descriptive statistics, correlation coefficients, stepwise multiple regression, and cluster analysis. The results of the study were as follows: 1) Demographic and social characteristics of the patients surveyed are female 81.3%, average age 81.4 years, lack of schooling 83.0%, spouse dead 73.2%, having no other disease 58.9%, average duration of dementia 3.8 years, no medical treatment for dementia 84.8%, good married life 40.2%, and primary care given by daughter-in-law 49.1%. 2) Aggressive Psychomotor Behavior(APB) was observed in a way statistically meaningful in case that primary care was given by daughter-in-law, while Nonaggressive Psychomotor Behavior(NPB) was in case of good married life and primary care given by other than daughter-in-law and spouse. Verbally aggressive behavior (VAB) was observed in groups of female, spouse dead, bad married life, and daughter-in-law's primary care. As for Passive Behavior(PB), it was observed in case that patients had educational background of not less high than middle school and that they were having medical treatment. Functionally Impaired Behavior(FIB) was observed in age group of 60-69 and more than 90, in patients' group having no other disease, and in case that the duration of dementia was not less than 5 years. 3) Premobid Neuroticism(N) showed positive correlation with APB and VAB, while Openness (O) did negative correlation with PB. Agreeableness (A) was proved to have positive correlation with PA and FIB, but to have negative correlation with APB and VAB. In addition, Conscientiousness(C) showed negative correlation with APB and VAB. 4) The worse the psychosocial environment was, the more NPB and VAB were observed. 5) APB was explained 24% by C and primary care-giver, while NPB was explained 28% by psychosocial environment, having other disease or not, and married life. VAB was explained 40% by A. sex, and married life. On the other hand PB was explained 33% by O, A. N, and having medical treatment or not. But any significant factor was not found to explain FIB. 6) A cluster analysis was performed on disturbing behaviors of demented elderly staying at home. It enabled to regroup the demented elderly in 5 patterns: high scored in NPB, high scored in FIB. high scored in NPB and VAB, moderately scored in most disturbing behaviors, and low scored in all areas. In conclusion, disturbing behaviors of demented elderly not only reflect their premorbid personality in the past, but also are affected by their present psychosocial environment. Therefore, it is necessary to encourage and respond them with understanding their disturbing behaviors in relation to their past premorbid personality. In addition, it is important to provide them better psychosocial environment in order to reduce their disturbing behaviors.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.83-110
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of the problematic behavior for the demented elderly and the stress among family members, and the effects of the problematic behavior upon the stress in order to offer the basic data for the adult and the elderly health education about dementia. For this purpose, 70 families who were resident in Seoul and Inchon were surveyed by quetionnaires. This was carried out from 26 July, 1994 to 11 September, 1994. Datum was analysed by using SPSS\PC+ including percentage, mean, t - test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation. So, the results of this study were as follows: 1. In view of socia-demographic characteristics, female were 82.9%, and of the female daughters-in-law of the demented elderly were 44.9%. 40th years old were 32.9% and 88.6% wase married. The christian were 34.8%, those who graduated university 47.1%, and those who had a job 32.9%. 2. Of the demented elderly, female were 74.3%, 80 years old were 37.1%, and their average age was seventy-seven point one years old. 66.2% of the elderly has been lived alone and the christian were 27.5%. In addition, those who graduated elementary school were 66.5%. 3. Of the behavior problem for the demented elderly, Activities of the Daily Living(ADL) was the most severe problem. The 2nd was cognitive function problem, the 3th, change of personality, the 4th, emotional disturbance, and the last, misconduct behavior. 4. For the status of behavior problems, females were more severe than male, and 80th years elderly ware the most severe groups. The longer disease period was, the severe problematic behaviors were, and in 4-6 years of the disease period the status was the highest(p＜0.05). Those who diagnosed the disease had more severe problems(p＜0.001). 5. The orders of the stress among family members caring for the demented elderly in this study were as follows : 1. The deficiency of supporting network 2. Decrease of elderly's cognitive activities 3. Assistance of BADL(Basic Activities of Daily Living) 6. Elderly's abnormal behavior 5. Assistance of IADL(Instrumental Activities of Daily Living), 6. As for the status of the stress among family members, female respondants were higher than male. On the ages, 20th years' stress score were the highest. Daughters-in-law were stressed more than other family members. The longer the time of caring per day was, the highest the status of the stress(p＜0.05), 7. Those who caring for female elderly and more than 80 years had more stressed. When the elderly was received the diagnosis, the family members were more stressed. On the disease period, 1-2 years was the highest and after 2 years the status of the stress was decreased and more than 6 years was the lowest(p＜0.05). 8. Behavior problems of the demented elderly were closely associated to the stress for family members. Of the problems, change of personality was the most related factor(r = 0.6552). The factors of Basic Activities of the Daily Living(BADL) was most correlated on assistance of Basic Activities of Daily Living (BADL), emotional disturbance the assistance of IADL(Instrumental Activities of Daily Living). Change of personality was most related to the stress of the decrease of cognitive activities and elderly's abnormal behavior. The deficiency of supporting network was most related to misconduct behavior.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.351-361
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• 2003

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to understand the types of coping strategies that family caregivers experience during the process of caring demented elderly: to grasp the coping strategies used for resolving this problem: and to develop a substantive theory by analyzing the coping types of the family caregivers of demented elderly. Method: The methodology of data collection and analysis used in this study was grounded theory proposed by Strauss and Corbin (1990). The data was collected through in-depth interviews with participants using open-ended and descriptive questions about their coping experiences. All data were were audio-taped and transcribed. The data were collected from February, 2000 to February, 2001. The participants of this study were 17 women. Results: Caregiver's coping types varied according to 'family's support', 'the condition of caregiver's health', 'the relationship with dementia elderly', 'family perception of dementia', 'fixed idea of traditional female role' and 'economic state'. In this study, five types of coping strategies were emerged: active role allotment tyle, meaning grant tyle, devotion tyle, duty defense type, and pessimism type. Among these, those who belong to the types of active role allotment, meaning grant, and devotion, including caregiver's good health were found to adapt themselves to caregiver roles. Conclusion: The results of this study may be helpful for developing effective and individualized nursing strategies suitable for individual caregivers coping types. It is suggested to practice nursing mediation and to analyze the changes in nursing effect and family members' adaptation based on coping types of the well-adapted caregivers as we as on their affirmative coping strategy.