Purpose: This study describes how public health officials running clinic-centered around "Our Village's Pretty Dementia Shelter" improved their ability to cope with dementia and health by implementing early dementia screening and cognitive intervention programs. Methods: This study targeted 11 hopeful seniors from 6 villages, who were residents of the area under the jurisdiction of Health Clinic B located in County A, were over 65 years of age, and had not experienced Our Village's Pretty dementia shelters. Results: The results of the Cognitive Screening Test (CIST) showed that scores improved on all evaluation items and depression decreased. Through the dementia prevention program, health improved, vitality increased through leisure activities and cultural experiences in daily life, and the quality of life improved. Aadditionally, participating with close neighbors has become an activity that can make dementia prevention activities a habit and widespread practice. Conclusion: This case demonstrate the need for continued implementation of dementia prevention and health promotion programs for rural residents. Accordingly, it is necessary to continuously operate dementia prevention programs by diversifying them and securing expertise from rural nurses.

Purpose: The purpose of the study quantitatively investigates the experience of unmet healthcare service utilization by rural populations in vulnerable areas during the COVID-19 pandemic based on Andersen's behavior model. At the same time, this study attempts to describe the experiences of unmet healthcare service utilization among participants in vulnerable rural areas by analyzing qualitative contents through open-ended question. Methods: Data were collected from October to November 2022 using Qualtrix, a web-based survey platform. A total of 863 participants completed an online survey. Quantitative data were analyzed using 𝑥² test and logistic regression analysis. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: The factors affecting participants' unmet healthcare service utilization were type of residential area and underlying disease. The qualitative analysis identified; four categories and nine sub-categories. Conclusion: Based on these findings, it is necessary to develop a disaster nursing response model according to the type of residential areas and the number of people.

Purpose: This study describes a case report of wound care performed by a community health practitioner for a rural older adult with diabetic ulcers. Methods: Data were collected from a rural older adult who had a diabetic lower extremity ulcer, and wound dressing was applied over 20 weeks after the skin graft operation. Results: The patient visited a primary healthcare post for regular ulcer care, and a community health practitioner applied appropriate wound dressings and managed the patient's diabetic condition. Conclusion: In rural areas, where healthcare resources are scarce compared with urban areas, rural nurses, such as community health practitioners, are primarily required to manage rural residents' health problems. Advanced nursing practices such as complicated wound care should also be appropriately provided to patients by enhancing rural nurses' competencies in the changing health care environment.

Purpose: This study aims to develop a shared forest walking program and verify its effects on self-esteem, life satisfaction, and depression among older adults living alone in rural communities. Methods: Participants were assigned to an experimental or a control group, with 20 participants each. Data collected during August 1~3, 2022, before the program, and October 29~31, 2022, after the program. In this study, the shared forest walking program was conducted twice a week for a total of 24 sessions, with each session lasting one hour. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 18.0, x² tests, and t-tests. Results: The experimental group participating in the sharing forest walking program showed higher self-esteem and life satisfaction than the control group, along with a decrease in depression. Additionally, there were statistically significant differences in self-esteem (t=5.97, p<.001), life satisfaction (t=7.78, p<.001), and depression (t=-7.58, p<.001). Conclusion: The shared forest walking program, developed based on the results of this study, improved self-esteem and; life satisfaction; and reduced depression among older adults living alone in rural communities. We propose the development of a continuous program to assist older adults living alone in underprivileged rural areas to experience retirement with reduced depression, increased self-esteem, and enhanced life satisfaction.

Purpose: This study developed a shelter for dementia programs based on primary health care posts; and examined its effectiveness in rural older adults. Methods: This study used a case report provided by a primary healthcare post in Jeonnam, Korea, in 2023. A single group pre-test post-test design was used; for three months, and 10 older adults participated in the shelter for dementia programs based on the primary health care post. The effectiveness of the intervention was measured immediately after entering the shelter for dementia programs. Results: There were significant differences between the pre-test and post-test on the cognitive impairment screening test (p=.005). Conclusion: The shelter for dementia programs based on primary health care posts was effective in improving cognitive impairments of rural older adults.

Purpose: The number of households vulnerable to isolation increases rapidly as social ties decrease, raising concerns about the associated increase in lonely deaths. This study aimed to identify issues related to lonely deaths by analyzing South Korean news articles; and to provide evidence for their use in preventing and managing lonely deaths via community nursing. Methods: This exploratory study analyzed the structure and trends of meaning of lonely deaths by identifying the association between keywords in news articles and lonely deaths. In this study, we searched for all news articles on lonely deaths, covering the period from January 1, 2010, to May 31, 2023. Data preprocessing and purification were conducted, followed by top-keyword extraction, keyword network analysis and topic modeling. The retrieved articles were analyzed using R and Python software. Results: Four main topics were identified: "discovering and responding to lonely death cases", "lonely deaths ending in lonely funerals", "supportive policies to prevent lonely deaths among of older adults", and "local government activities to prevent lonely deaths and support vulnerable populations." Conclusion: Based on these findings, it can be concluded that lonely death is a complex social phenomenon that can be prevented if society shows concern and care. Education related to lonely deaths should be included in nursing curricula for concrete action plans and professional development.

Purpose: This study aimed to understand and explore the experiences and meanings of life changes and loneliness caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among older people living in rural areas. Methods: This study adopted an individual interview approach. A total of 33 older adults were interviewed using semi-structured questions between October and December; 2020. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Four main themes and ten sub-themes emerged. One main theme was "the never-ending anxiety of a changed world", the second theme was "disconnecting from the world through social distancing", the third theme was "working to overcome COVID-19", and forth "health is the most important thing in life." Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, we confirmed the urgent need for psycho-social support to relieve loneliness and social isolation of older people in rural areas during the spread of infectious diseases.