Journal of the Korean housing association (한국주거학회논문집)

The Korean Housing Association (한국주거학회)
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A Case Study Regarding Physical Environments of Nursing Homes for Frail Korean American Elders - Focused on Korean American Elderly Residents' Views -

재미한인 노인들을 위한 너싱홈의 물리적 주거환경에 관한 사례연구 - 재미한인 노인 거주자 관점을 중심으로 -

  • 이은희 (영남대학교 가족주거학과)
  • Received : 2011.06.10
  • Accepted : 2011.09.15
  • Published : 2011.10.25
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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the overall physical environment's features of nursing homes for Korean American elders in the United States. This investigation was conducted in Korean American nursing homes on the East Coast and in the Midwest with multiple qualitative data collection methods, such as interviews, observations, document review, and field notes. The findings of this study are as follows: 1) Although almost all respondents were unable to speak and understand English at all, most written materials in nursing homes were in only English; 2) The nursing homes were placed near or within the Korean communities; thus, it contributed to close ties with religious Korean American groups and other groups in the ethnic communities; 3) Whether the facility's physical features looked like those of a hospital or a home, many residents did not consider a nursing homes as a real home; 4) A fenced garden in the nursing home in the Midwest was the residents' favorite public space; 5) Due to being forced to room with residents who had dementia and were bedridden, they were more likely to have conflicts with their roommates and feel uncomfortable living in their room; and 6) The facilities seemed to be designed without consideration to protect residents' privacy.

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References

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