• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.149-156
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• 2007

This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of food commodity supplementary program for low-income, living alone elderly people. The subjects were 57 low income aged females who lived alone in Bucheon city. The food commodity supplementary program lasted for 6 months, supplying one meal per day consisting with grains, meat, vegetables, dairy and fruit. Dietary intake, anthropometric measurements, and blood profiles were assessed. After 6 months of food commodity supplemented period, dietary intakes of protein(p<0.05), calcium(p<0.05), iron(p<0.05) and vitamin B(p<0.001) were significantly increased. The mean weight(p<0.05) and BMI(p<0.05) were increased, and the frequency of BMI over 25kg/m$^2$ was also raised from 54.4% to 59.7%. Serum concentrations of total protein(p<0.001) and albumin(p<0.001) were significantly increased, indicating improvement of protein status. The frequency of anemia was decreased from 45.6% to 26.3%. However, the proportion of dyslipidemia was increased. In general the stable food commodity supplementary program was effective to improve general nutritional status of the poor aged who lived alone, however, nutrient intakes still did not meet RDA for the elderly and the rates of obesity and dyslipidemia were increased. Therefore, local government should provide more active food support program and the selection of food items for commodity should be evaluated at regular intervals.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.398-404
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• 2017

The present study aimed to examine the influence of mental health factors on oral health factors using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). A total of 1,548 elderly individuals aged over 65 years who completed the screening and health questionnaire were selected as the final study participants. The psychological health factors related to perceived oral health status were depression and stress when the gender was controlled, and in terms of gender, both elderly male and female individuals were stressed and depressed. These results suggested that the psychological health of elderly individuals negatively affects not only perceived oral health but also the quality of life. In addition, the psychological health of the elderly individuals should be systematically managed along with oral health care and overall health care and lifestyle. If a comprehensive health management system is available for low-income groups or an elderly person living alone, it should positively affect and improve the quality of life of elderly individuals.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.221-233
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• 2009

Korea's aging population has been remarkably increased. They want to have not only extension of life expectancy but also improving quality of life. To maintain the quality of life, it is essential to have good nutrition. However, nutritional status of elderly in Korea has problems qualitatively and quantitatively. Risk factors for poor nutrition are advanced age, woman, living alone and low economic status. Another risk factor in rural area is season because seasonal changes can affect food intake of elderly. Thus this study surveyed the health status and dietary intakes of elderly by season in rural area. In this study, the elderly were grouped as group 1 {elderly who have one risk factor for chronic diseases (obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes)} and group 2 (elderly who have more than 2 risk factors). Can-Pro 3.0 was used for dietary data analysis and SPSS 12.0 program was used for statistical analysis. Obesity had the highest percentage 62%, followed by hypertension 59.5%, dyslipidemia 21.5% and diabetes 11.6%. Obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were high in winter and WHR, diabetes and anemia were high in summer. Mean intakes of energy and nutrients were less than RI. Nutrients which were changed most by season were vitamin A and Vitamin C. Intakes of calcium and folic acid were less than recommended in summer. The ratio of CPF for carbohydrate was higher and fat was lower than recommended. In conclusion, the nutrient intake of Group 2 was better in quality but Group 1 was better in quantity. Nutrient intakes were poor in summer. In rural area, more careful nutritional assesment and management are needed for aged population, especially in summer.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.213-220
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• 2016

This study surveyed 252 senior citizens in the Chungnam and Chungbuk regions to review the effects that information use has on quality of life. Participants were divided into two sub-groups based on household types. Data was analyzed using PASW Statistics 18.0. Major findings are as follows: First, information use, mental and psychological health, as well a&s social relationships found in study subjects were significantly higher among seniors not living alone. Second, factors that influence the quality of life were found to be same for each group, but significantly different for their influence of each group. Factors that influence the quality of life were found to be economic status, information use, and education level. Factors that influence the quality of life in elderly living alone were found to be economic status, education level, information use. Based on these findings, the study presents practical and integrated measures to help the original objective of this research to be achieved.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.79-88
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• 1996

This study was conducted to assess nutritional status of the elderly from low-income urban area and to investigate environmental and health risk factors that may influence to nutrient intakes. One hindered eighty three(males 53, females 130) healthy homestaying subjects aged over 65 years in Seoul were assessed with anthropometric measurements and dietary intake in August, 1994. HT and BW for females were decreased with aging. The proportion of hypertension was 36% with indite of $SBP{\;}(SBP{\;}{\gg}{\;}160mmHg)$ and 52% with indice of DBP $(DBP{\;}\gg{\;}97mmHg)$. Distribution of BMI, OR and PIBW indicated that BMI was more sensitive for identifying underweight whereas PIBW was more sensitive for identifying overweight. for group aged over 75, males had significantly lower intake of energy, protein, fat, calcium, iron, vitamin A and $\beta$ carotene compared to the group aged 67~74, while females had lower intake of calcium and vitamin A. Elderly group with smoking, less familly size and living alone had lower nutrient intakes. Blood pressure in the elderly subjects did not influence to nutrient intakes, except elderly with normal blood pressure were taking increased amount of thiamin and niacin.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.43-65
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• 2007

This research aims at finding out how spare time activity, relationships with their children and loneliness affect the satisfaction of life of elderly people who have no spouse. To begin, according to the survey, in the case of elderly people who have no spouse, male elderly people feel more loneliness, lower unification with their offspring, and do less activity in their spare time than female elderly people. The elderly people with a higher educational level, feel less loneliness and have a close relationship with their offspring. When elderly people believe in a religion, they participate in positive activities in their spare time and have a higher satisfaction of life. Secondly, the less the elderly people have for a monthly income, the more they feel a deep sense of isolation. However, if the elderly have a sufficient monthly income, they spend their spare time on positive activities and feel a higher sense of satisfaction in their lives. These results show that economic situation is an important factor for elderly people to maintain good mental health and a good quality of life. Thirdly, the loneliness of elderly people who have no spouse was influenced by whether the elderly people have children or not. If an elderly person loses their spouse through death, they can find themselves in a desperate situation and feeling very isolated. Most elderly people who have no spouse want to live with their offspring and depend on their sons and daughters economically and psychologically. However, the elderly people living alone have lower satisfaction of life because of economic and psychological problems. Therefore, the results shows that the life satisfaction of elderly people who have no spouse was influenced by living with their children and having a close relationship with them. The elderly people who have no spouse feel hopelessness and rely increasingly on their sons and daughters. The elderly people who don't have a sufficient monthly income not only feel more loneliness than other elderly people, but are also restricted in their spare time activities. It proves that the economic situation(monthly income) is also an important factor to maintain personal relationships.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.159-184
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• 1988

Race and ethnicity are important factors which influence the elderIy's residential adjustment behaviors, although it is unclear whether this reflects influences unrelated to race and ethnlcity. Culturally, the norm of family supportoften obseved among various minority ethnic groups is likely to provide flexible family suppof for the elderIy. Economically, the life-long hardship ofminority groups is likely to force them to maintain extended family living arrangements simply to reduce expenses via economies of scale. Thecontroversy about the economic need versus the cultural prescription forextended living arrangements remains unresoIved because it fails to articulatethe meaning of family supports among many disadvantaged groups.This study aims to test previous economic and cultural arguments, byexamining ethnic differences iu the eiderIy's responsiveness to their health andeconomic problems. Two hypotheses about cultural influences on the elderly's resideutiai adjustment are examined. First, do elderly minorities receive famiiysupporis for longer periods when they are poor if economic and health status\ulcorner Second, do elderiy minorities receive family supports more often when their health status declines\ulcorner Using the Longitudinal Suvey on Aging from 1984 to 1990. this study employs Markovian multi-state life tables, and discrete and contonuous competing hazard analyses for the transition in living arrangements. The main results provide substantial evidence against the cultural resource thesis. Elderly minorities experience more frequent transition between living alone and living with relatives than white elderly persons when group differences in the extent of mortality and insititutionalization are controlled. The shorter timf of living alone among elderly monorities stems from their greater likehood of joining relatives as well as greater mortality and attrition rates than elderly whites. Coresidence of elderly whites with their relatives is more likely to occur in response to their needs for health care than of elderly whites. it implies that instability. not flezibility. characterrizes elderly minorities living arrangements.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.20-30
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• 2013

This study was intended to suggest that new small-sized apartment houses should be designed and provided on the base of the concept of universal design. This is based on the diversity of each resident, that is, resident of not as a family, but as an individual. On the background of this, this study evaluated the small-sized apartment house in aspects of universal design. The walk-through and the residents' evaluation were carried out by using 60 items related to the principles of universal design. The 18 pyung apartment complex and housing unit in Jangyou new town area was evaluated. Also, 100 residents living in that apartment housing unit were asked to evaluate these 60 items by using 5 point Likert scale. The walk-through with measuring and taking pictures was carried out by researchers. In general, the apartment house was not met the fundamental elements of universal design. Thus, it was not appropriate for the disabled or the elderly to live in. Specially, the door width of bathroom and kitchen balcony was too narrow to pass through. Also, the floor of entrance and bathroom was not flat, so that the wheelchair user cannot enter by alone. The residents evaluated negatively many items related to design, such as shape, color, and material. Therefore, in order to provide the living environments for diverse residents such as the elderly, or the disabled to live together, the new small-sized apartment houses should be designed on the base of the principles of universal design.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.683-699
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• 2020

Recently, the earth's highest temperature is rising due to severe climate change and heat wave. In addition, due to the increase of elderly population over 65, the number of heat patients is also increasing. In particular, the elderly who live alone in poor living environments, the lower income group, and the socially disadvantaged, such as children and pregnant women, are exposed to the dangers of heat waves, so the government's practical measures are urgently needed. In this study, we will build a visualization platform for each level of heat wave and provide the necessary countermeasure solution according to the heat wave risk. "The Hazard Visualization Platform for Heatwave" provide not only simple information, but also a customized safety service for citizens to prevent heatwaves, respond to heatwaves, and utilize heat wave information.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.459-467
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to suggest the strategies for improvement of home-delivered meal services for the elderly, to identify reasons for recipients to get started with the services and to evaluate the attitude, acceptability and adaptation of recipients to the services from the perspective of life context. Methods: The data was collected through face-to-face in-depth interviews with eighteen low-income elderly recipients of home-delivered meals and analyzed using a qualitative research method. Results: The results were deduced as four themes which comprised of long-term vulnerable socioeconomic contexts resulted in entry to the services, conflicting acceptability to the services, passive adaptation to taking the services, and positive practices to cope with supplement free meals or other services. The service participation was initiated because of a combination of prolonged, vulnerable socioeconomic contexts, including poverty and unexpected life events such as diseases, disability, living alone, aging and unemployment. With regard to taking the services, conflicting acceptability was observed: positive aspects including saving living cost and good quality of meals, and negative aspects including lack of a tailored service and feeling of stigma. Although the recipients needed an individualized service, they did not express their needs and demands for the services and they accepted the unavailability as an accustomed, prolonged vulnerable socioeconomic context. With regard to lack of tailored services, either self-solution such as modification of eating patterns or community-based network and services were used. Conclusions: We suggest that a system to concretely identify recipients' attitude, acceptability and adaptation for home-delivered meal services should be developed in the establishment of a tailored nutrition support system for the low-income elderly.