• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.129-140
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• 2020

Purpose: Although the importance of life satisfaction in patients with chronic diseases has been emphasized, limited studies have been performed on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among elderly patients with chronic diseases. This study examined the HRQoL among Korean patients with diabetes aged 65 years or older. Methods: This study used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2016. The analysis included data of 2,353 elderly patients with diabetes aged 65 years or older who were aware that they had type 2 diabetes. Each participant was categorized into one of three age groups (65-69 years, 70-74 years, and ≥ 75 years). The EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) scale was computed to estimate the HRQoL. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to compare the demographic characteristics, lifestyle characteristics, nutrient intake, and EQ-5D scores between the age groups. Results: The intake levels of most nutrients were similar in the three age groups, but the total energy intake levels were significantly lower, and the sodium intake levels were significantly higher in the older age groups (p < 0.001). In addition, all items of the EQ-5D index, except for anxiety/depression, tended to decrease with age. In particular, the oldest age group (≥ 75 years) showed significantly lower levels on most items and the EQ-5D index than those in the other age groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Elderly patients with type 2 diabetes may have low levels of life satisfaction, which worsens with increasing age. Therefore, it is important to develop and manage personalized guidelines and medical systems so that elderly patients have a higher quality of life for the remainder of their lives. The results of this study are expected to be used as basic data for the systematic management of diabetes in elderly Korean patients.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.1611-1628
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• 2009

It is well known that health and psychosocial factors are closely associated with depressive symptoms. Due to limitations in available data and analysis methods, however, little is known about the effects of health and psychosocial factors on depression trajectory. In order to address the limitations, this study examines the predictors of depression trajectory using latent growth curve modeling involving individuals aged 60 and over who participated in the Korean Welfare Panel Study (N=4,919). Controlling for socioeconomic variables, health and psychosocial variables were cross-sectionally associated with depressive symptoms, which is consistent with previous findings. However, the effects of health and psychosocial variables on the rate of depressive symptom change varied. Health variables were significantly associated with the levels of depressive symptoms at wave 1, but these were not significantly associated with the rate of depressive symptoms change. By contrast, although psychosocial variables were significantly associated with depressive symptoms at wave 1, the effects of psychosocial variables on the rate of depressive symptom change varied. Specifically, while self-esteem and family relationship were positively associated with the rate of depressive symptom change, social relationship was negatively associated with the rate of depressive symptom change. Based on the findings, this study discussed implications for intervention and future research.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.37-49
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to explore how health and health behavior factors moderate the relation between socio-economic position(SEP) and Korean elderly people's self-rated health status. The data sources are from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging(2008). The analysis sample consists of 4,040 cases. Analysis of the results shows that health characteristics such as ADL, MMSE, geriatric depression, and pain are significant predictors of self-rated health status. In addition, exercise and drinking alcohol also prove to be factors influencing self-rated health status. Health factor such as MMSE and health behavior factors such as drinking alcohol served as moderators of the influences of SEP on one's self-rated health status. For example, higher MMSE provides a slight increase to the positive relationship between SEP and self-rated health status. In addition, those who responded yes to drinking alcohol, compared to those who responded no, provides an increase to the positive relationship between SEP and one's self-rated health status.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.256-261
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• 2008

Anorexia is a common symptom in the elderly patients. Causes of anorexia in the elderly are very diverse and multifactorial. Causes include physiological changes associated with aging, mental disorders such as depression, anorexia tardive, dementia, medical diseases such as cancer(lung and gastrointestinal cancer), benign gastrointestinal disorders, cardiac disorders, pulmonary disease, thyroid disorders, infection. Medications such as digoxin, theophylline have also been implicated in the problem. No cause is found in about one quarter of patients. Management is directing at treating causes and providing nutritional support. In Oriental medicine, the appetite has close relation to Biwi. The main cause of anorexia is the insufficiency of Biwi. The physiology of Biwi is that Bi sends clarity(food essence) upward and Wi sends digested food downward. Specially if the physiologic function of Wi is disordered by various factors, Wi cannot send digested food downward. As a result, the anorexia can present by the disorder of Wi function. We experienced a case of an 74 years old female patient with ill-defined severe anorexia differentiated as Wijoongheohan. The patient was managed with fluid therapy and Jeonghyangsiche-tang. The anorexia and other symptoms improved continuously during hospitalization.

• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.7-19
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• 2004

This study has a purpose to devise an education program in relation to Gerontology and geriatrics applicable to Korean nurses through literature review and analysis of education programs utilized by the Geriatric Education Centers (GECs) of USA. Educational contents on gerontology and geriatrics are very diverse in precedent literatures. The education programs of GECs for health care personnel are equally very diverse. Among educational contents, subjects considered important are age-related changes, health problems of the aged, pharmacology, death, fall and osteoporosis, delirium, dementia, depression, urinary incontinence, communication with elderly. Methods used in education program are mainly seminar, workshop and lecture through internet. In addition, case study, small-group discussion and conference are also adopted. The program proposed in this study for nurses in relation to gerontology and geriatrics consists of 32 hours' education; 6 hours for age-related changes, 10 hours for health problems of the elderly, 14 hours for health problems in old age and 2 hours of communication technique. Educational method proposed is to utilize lecture through internet, direct education, workshop, practical exercise, case study and role play in parallel. This study proposed an education program on the basis of precedent literature and the program of GECs. Therefore, it is desirable to develop in the future more practical education program applicable to and required in practicing fields. Of course, this development needs to be based on nurses' educational needs by field in relation to gerontology and geriatrics.

• 한국노년학
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.415-427
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• 2019

This study examined the effects of eating with others on depressive symptoms among the community-dwelling older adults by family arrangement, using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 7th (2016). A total of 1,233 older adults aged over 65 was included in this analysis. Eating status (alone / with others) and family arrangement (living alone / living with family) were dichotomized based on the original questionnaire. Among 955 older adults who live with family members, 855 persons (89.5%) eat together and 100 persons (10.5%) eat alone. Among 278 older adults who live alone, 86 persons (30.9%) eat together and 69 persons (69.1%) eat alone. Regression analysis controlling for demographic and health related factors, eating with others was significantly related to lower levels of depressive symptoms in the group of older adults who live with family members (β = -1.663, p <.001), while there is no statistical significance (β = -0.856, p = .148) in the counterpart. Therefore, various types of community-based programs need to be developed to encourage older adults to eat with other in their ordinary lives. It is also recommended that the community has to offer consistent care and support for the elderly particularly who live alone.

• 한국노년학
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.601-616
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• 2017

Elderly suicide is a major public health issue in South Korea. The aim of this study was to systematically examine the current knowledge about suicidal ideation among Korean older adults with specific focus on risk and preventive factors. In order to achieve this aim, a meta-analysis was conducted using Korean academic peer-reviewed journals published since 2001. A total of 97 articles were selected that met the research criteria (e.g., original study findings and key words of suicidal ideation, suicidal thought, and suicide). Three domains were identified and used for further analysis: individual, family, and society. Results showed that among individual factors, depression and burden or stress increased the risk of suicidal ideation, while better mental health reduced the risk of suicidal ideation. Among family factors, living alone was a risk factor for suicidal ideation, while family cohesion was a preventive factor for suicidal ideation. Among social factors, elderly discrimination, social isolation, and negative relationships were significant risk factors, while social support, social environment, and social activities were significant preventive factors affecting suicidal ideation. The results suggest several practical implications for developing suicide prevention programs and counseling approaches to address suicidal ideation. For example, depression and stress can be reduced by MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) program where meditation is used as a coping strategy. In addition, counseling programs specifically focused on improving family and social relations should be implemented. Government should continuously support for these programs to prevent suicide among older Koreans.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.349-356
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• 2024

By 2025, South Korea is expected to enter an ultra-aged society with the elderly comprising 20.6% of the population. We measured changes in health status before and after by the use of a "Cognition-Emotion Enhancement Chatbot Integrated Product" among Baby Boomer generation women. Fifty participants, proficient in smart device usage and willing to provide data, were selected from health communities in Seoul. After excluding some applicants, 43 Baby Boomer women were analyzed. Results revealed significant differences in post-chatbot use physical activity (43.5.21 ± 1310.39 MET) and depression levels (6.84 ± 3.53). Correlation between the two variables was not statistically significant. The findings suggest specific effects of the chatbot on physical activity and depression, emphasizing the need for future research with diverse health indicators.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.275-287
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• 1994

For the purpose of promotion mental health in the elderly lived small city, a personal interview was conducted for 150 elderlies aged 65 years or more in the Kyungpook Andong city between 29th of August and 9th of September, 1994. The major findings were as follows; 1. The variables related depression were chronic disease, level of physical ability, smoking habits(pack/day) and school education. 2. The variables related cognitive impairment were level of physical ability, age, sex and chronic disease. It was revealed by this study, the female elderlies who had beend not educated and had chronic disease were higher depression or cognitive impairment. so the prospective research with these variables is need.