• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.185-198
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of Korean medicine treatment in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among a group of community dwelling elderly. Methods: Two-hundred and twenty-nine elderly living in a community and diagnosed with MCI were recruited. Participants were evaluated with various instruments such as the Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination for Dementia Screening (MMSE-DS) and the Korean version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-K). Korean medicine treatment consisted of herbal medicine, acupuncture, and pharmacoacupuncture. The change in cognitive ability was assessed by using the MMSE-DS and the MoCA-K. Data were analyzed by SPSS/WIN 22.0 using the paired t-test, and the ANOVA. Results: The MMSE-DS and the MoCA-K score generally increased after six months of Korean medicine treatment and the differences in both instruments were statistically significant. Additionally, some consecutive participants maintained long-term cognitive improvement. When analyzed specifically by herbal medicine group based on syndrome differentiation and pharmacoacupuncture group, most showed improvement in the MMSE-DS and the MoCA-K but not all data were statistically significant. The satisfaction score was mostly high and most participants were willing to re-participate in the program. Conclusions: Korean medicine treatment may contribute to the improvement and prevention of cognitive decline in the elderly. However, further systematic research based on large scale sample data and standardized protocols is needed to uplift the welfare and mental health of the elderly.

• 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 Public Health Nursing
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.78-90
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• 2009

Purpose: This study investigated depression, ADL, ADL, QOL, and their relationships to examine the physical and, emotional health status of low income elderly in the local community. Methods: The subjects included 507 elderly 65 years of age in Jeonju, Korea. Data were collected through personal interviews with questionnaires. Results: The average depression score of the subjects was 8.7. There was significant difference in the level of depression as a function of the level of education and perceived health status. The items showing the highest level of functioning in ADL were consciousness and recognition, and the item combining the highest leveling of functioning in IADL was using phones. Regarding ADL and IADL, there were statistically significant differences in age. living condition and perceived health status. The levels of quality of life of the subjects were significantly different with respect to gender and, perceived health status. There were statistically significant correlations between the subjects' depression, ADL, IADL, and QOL. Conclusions: The findings indicate that the low income elderly in the local community were in poor physical and, psychological health. Based upon the outcome, health promotion programs to improve depression, ADL, and IADL of low income elderly in the community are needed.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.332-342
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• 2002

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the level of activities of daily living (ADL) in a group of community dwelling elderly. Methods: The subjects were 100 low-income elderly registered in a public health center. The data were analyzed using the SPSS/PC program. Results: The results were as follows: 1. The basic ADLs of the subjects were scored at 7 levels, and the mean score was 6.24 out of 7 points. The subjects did not necessarily require help from others, but might have needed more times or instrumental assists to perform ADLs. The lowest ADL score was reported on walking up to the stairs (5.05), for which the subjects did not need physical assistance, but needed a certain degree of supervision. The highest score was reported on self eating (6.74), followed by bowel management (6.60). 2. The mean IADL score of the subjects was 1.77 out of 4 points. indicating that the subjects were very independent in performing IADLs, without help from others. 3. In relation to general characteristics, the level of ADLs of the subjects was significantly different by age (F=6.65, P=.000), main activities (F=6.36, P=.001), perceived health status (P=4.66, P=.012), educational background (F=4.64, P=.03), marital status(F=4.62, P=.005), and major household income (F=4.15, P=.002). 4. The subjects' level of IADLs in relation to their general characteristics was significantly different by perceived health status (F=8.08, P=.001), major activities (F=7.33, P=.000), age (F=6.18, P=.000), family context (F=3.53, P=.018), religion (F=3.10, P=.019), marital status(F=2.62, P=.055), and major household income (F=2.31, P=.049).

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.45-54
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• 2020

Objective : The purpose of this study was to identify the relationships among cognitive function, activities of daily living (ADL), participation and quality of life in community-dwelling elderly. Methods : Cognitive function, ADL, participation and quality of life were assessed in the 144 elderly people residing in the community. We used MMSE-K for measuring cognitive function, K-ADL for ADL, K-ACS for participation, and GQOL for quality of life. Results : Cognitive function was significantly correlated with social activity of participation and quality of life (physical health, psychological health, social relations and economic level). ADL was significantly correlated with participation (instrumental ADL, leisure activity) and all sub-areas of quality of life. Social activity of participation were significantly correlated with all subarea of quality of life except physical health. Among the variables, the most relevant variable was leisure activity. Conclusion : It was related to quality of life in the order of participation, ADL, and cognitive function. Among the sub-areas of participation, leisure activity was the most correlated with quality of life. This study, thus, aimed to provide basic data for successful elderly life by examining the correlation between cognitive function, daily life activity, participation and quality of life in community-dwelling elderly.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.1313-1325
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the level of and factors influencing depression in community-dwelling, low-income elderly. Methods: A randomized sample of 306 subjects aged 65 and over was selected from one communities. in Korea. Data were collected through self-reported questionnaire, during the period from January to September, 2007. The data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression with SPSS/Win program. Results: The prevalence of depression was 43.8%, the mean score of depression was 6.37. Depression of the elderly significantly correlated with education level, types of the health insurance, economic levels, smoking, hypertension, arthritis, incontinence, life satisfaction, perceived health status and cognitive function. Stepwise multiple regression analysis reveled that a combination of life satisfaction, cognitive function and health insurance accounted for 67.6% of depression in elderly. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the approach to effective depression prevention and management program for community-dwelling elderly should consider life satisfaction, physical and mental health and economic levels.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.582-593
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to identify predictive factors of successful aging and to determine mediating effect of transcendence between successful aging and influencing factors of community-dwelling elders in Korea. 162 elders were participated in this study who visited seniors welfare center and senior citizen center. Data were analyzed by PASW 18.0 for t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficients and hierarchical regression analysis. Transcendence, parent-child relationship, depression, spirituality and perceived economic status were statistically significant influencing factors, explained 77% of successful aging in community-dwelling elderly. The mediating role of transcendence was identified about parent-child relationship, depression, spirituality and perceived economic condition. The study findings demonstrated that transcendence was significant variable affecting successful aging. The variables affecting successful aging such as transcendence, parent-child relationship, depression, spirituality, perceived economic status can be utilized for nursing strategies to successful aging in community-dwelling elders.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.61-78
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• 2021

Background and Objective: The use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) increases the risk of negative health outcomes, including drug-related admissions. Tools for structured medication review have been developed to ensure optimal medication use and safety. Here, we aimed to evaluate medication use review (MUR) tools for community-dwelling older patients. Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement (PRISMA). We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from 1991 to 2020, excluding tools that are specifically applied to hospitalized patients or nursing home residents. We identified the most common inappropriate medications, drug-disease interactions, drug-drug interactions and prescribing omissions presented among tools. Results: From among 9,788 identified reports screened, 60 met our inclusion criteria; finally, 27 were eligible for data analysis considering originality and up-to-dateness. Most tools presented explicit criteria (93%), and only one was specific to community-dwelling elderly. The most common PIM was tricyclic antidepressants. Use of diltiazem and verapamil in patients with heart failure and the combination of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics and warfarin were the most frequent disease-specific PIM and drug-interaction, respectively. Conclusions: Although several medication review tools have been developed for older adults, specific guidelines for community-dwelling populations remain limited. Furthermore, the list of PIMs differed among available tools. In future, specific but integrating MUR tools need to be developed for clinical practice considering this population.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.271-277
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to select useful items for assessing fall risk in community-dwelling elderly. This study assumed five fall risk factors: Symptoms of falling, physical function, disease and physical symptoms, environment, and behavior and character based on previous studies. The questionnaire consisted of 44 items according to the contents validation, crossover analysis and factor analysis. The Korean version of the Fall Risk Assessment Scale (FRA-K) will be used as a useful tool to improve the fall problems perceived to be serious social problems and to provide important information for prevention of falls.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.282-290
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors among community dwelling aged 65 and over in South Korea. Methods: A total of 1,367 subjects from the 2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were selected. The data analysis was conducted by SPSS WIN 19.0 using descriptive statistics, ${\chi}^2$-test, and logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of hypertension was found to be 47.70%. Logistic regression analysis shows that hypertension was more prevalent as people became older; in females; in elderly who were not employed as compared to those employed; elderly with diabetes, and obesity as compared to those without these health conditions; as elderly who performed more moderate intensity exercise. While, education, household income, high risk alcoholic drinking, smoking, stress perception, usual activity, and eating out behavior were not associated with prevalence of hypertension in this study. Conclusion: The finding of prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors is expected to promote the screening or prevention strategy for community dwelling aged 65 and over at risk of hypertension in Korea.