• The Korean Journal of Applied Statistics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.603-620
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• 2015

The National Pension of Korea is a public social security system designed to alleviate social risks and poverty that has had a major impact on the quality of life for the aging population. However, a rapidly aging population and low fertility threaten the sustainability of national pension in Korea. The National Pension Research Institute publishes a nancial projection every ve years; consequently, the government has lowered the entitlements for the sustainability of national pension based on the projection results. The current reform of the pension system that arbitrarily reduces the entitlements might detract from the income security role of the national pension for pensioners without accounting for the highest elderly poverty rate in the OECD countries. We first discuss methods for the financial projection of the national pension in terms of population, subscribers, and pensioner projections in order to estimate the pension reserve fund and the financial depletion year. We also conduct a sensitivity analysis for population variables, institutional variables, and economic variables based on pension reserves and the financial depletion year. We evaluate intergenerational fairness between the income hierarchy by conducting a money's worth analysis. Finally, we investigate the possibility of the sustainability of national pension by adjusting pension contributions and entitlements (income replacement rate). A new dependency ratio shows that a simple reform of the national pension does not secure the sustainability of the national pension without adapting a pay-as-you-go system.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.114-126
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• 2022

The relationship between mortality and the Korean Healthy Eating Index ("KHEI") is well established. This study was to investigate the associations between health habits, mental health, and nutritional status and KHEI in older Koreans (aged≥65 years). A total of 4,247 subjects (1,842 men and 2,405 women) that participated in the 2016~2018 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included in the analysis. The lowest scoring KHEI item was milk and milk products. KHEI tertile groups were classified by total KHEI score. Tertile group percentages were related to general characteristics such as gender, residential area, educational level, income level, number of family members, and age. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for general characteristics, showed that ex-smokers (OR: male 1.53 female 2.29), smokers (OR: male 2.90), low hand grip strength (OR: male 1.42 female 1.90), poor self-rated health status (OR: female 1.83), stressful mental status (OR: female 1.51), poor health-related quality of life (OR: female 1.64), poor nutritional status (OR: male 2.88~37.20 female 1.98~16.12), and food insecurity (OR: male 6.87 female 2.03) were significantly related to a lower KHEI. This study suggests that gender-specific associations exist between mental health status and KHEI.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.26-40
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• 2024

Purpose: The aim of this study was to predict the subgroups vulnerable to poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL) according to gender in older adults. Methods: Data from 5,553 Koreans aged 65 or older were extracted from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. HRQoL was assessed using the EQ-5D tool. Complex sample analysis and decision-tree analysis were conducted using SPSS for Windows version 27.0. Results: The mean scores of the EQ-5D index were 0.93 ± 0.00 in men and 0.88 ± 0.00 in women. In men, poorer HRQoL groups were identified with seven different pathways, which were categorized based on participants' characteristics, such as restriction of activity, perceived health status, muscle exercise, age, relative hand grip strength, suicidal ideation, the number of chronic diseases, body mass index, and income status. Restriction of activity was the most significant predictor of poorer HRQoL in elderly men. In women, the poorer HRQoL groups were identified with nine different pathways, which were categorized based on participants' characteristics, such as perceived health status, restriction of activity, age, education, unmet medical service needs, anemia, body mass index, relative hand grip, and aerobic exercise. Perceived health status was the most significant predictor of poorer HRQoL in elderly women. Conclusion: This study presents a predictive model of HRQoL in older adults according to gender and can be used to detect individuals at risk of poorer HRQoL.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.65-76
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• 2008

This study was performed to identify association between nutritional status and health risks of the elderly. This was a cross-sectional study involving low income elderly women in Gwangju, Korea (${\geq}$65y, n = 92). Socio-demographics, life style characteristics, health conditions, dietary intakes based on 24h-recall method, anthropometric measures, and clinical biochemistry parameters were examined. Anthropometric and clinical parameters included wt, ht, waist, hip, body protein, body fat, abdominal fat, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, fasting blood glucose, ferritin, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, CRP, TAS, TBARS, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. The subjects were divided into three groups based on age (65-74y, 75-84y, 85y${\leq}$) and were divided into two groups according to the sum of the Nutrition Screening Initiative (NSI) checklist score (adequate nutritional status, NSI score ${\leq}$3; at risk of malnutrition, NSI score >3). Mean and frequency of variables were estimated. Analysis of Variance, Tukey test, Chi-square test, and Multiple linear regression analyses were performed. Mean BMI and body fat were 25.1 $kg/m^2$ and 40.0%, respectively. However, for over 80% of subjects, the intakes of energy, fiber, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, Ca, K, and Zn were less than the Korean DRI (EAR or AI). The subjects who had lower NSI score tended to have better health status, eat meals frequently, have less depression, and exercise regularly. The subjects who had higher NSI score tended to have tooth problems, to eat alone most of time, and to be physically unable to cook or feed. Serum IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ were significantly related with nutritional status which suggested higher tendency of inflammatory response. Serum IL-2, TAS, and glucose were significantly correlated with body fat (%) or abdominal fat (%). These results suggest that improving the nutritional status, increasing regular exercise, maintaining normal weight are beneficial to health care of low income elderly women.

• 한국노년학
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.197-216
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• 2020

This study aimed to suggest leisure activities and policy-level support in the light of the characteristics and needs among the elderly by examining constraint factors of leisure activities among the elderly. Data of 3887 elderly with the age of 65 and above with economic burden and health problems from the 6th Korean Retirement and Income study were used for the statistical analyses. Hierarchical linear models were tested by entering factors stepswise; demographic factors(age, gender, marriage status, single household, region, living expenses, health status) in the first step, leisure factors(leisure time, leisure motivation) in the second step, and lastly leisure activity factors(desired leisure activities, undesired leisure activities) in the third step. The results were as follows: First, major factors that constrict leisure activities of the elderly were financial burden and health problems. Second, there were significant differences among three(financial constraint, health constraint, and financial and health constraint) groups. Financial constraint group was the highest in the level of leisure satisfaction but leisure time was the shortest. The major reason to do leisure activities of the financial constraint group was to keep relationships with families and friends. In terms of desired leisure activities, health constraint group wanted resting, financial constraint group wanted hobbies and entertainment, and the financial-and-health constraint group wanted social activities. Third, financial constraint group demonstrated higher levels of leisure activity satisfaction when they wanted to take care of pets or gardens; however, they showed lower levels of leisure activity satisfaction when they wanted to domestic trips for desired leisure activities. In case of health constraint group, they demonstrated lower levels of leisure activity satisfaction whether or not they wanted resting like watching TV or listening to the radio. And, the showed higher levels of leisure activity satisfaction when they wanted social activities such as participation in religion or social gathering organizations. For the financial-and-health constraint group, whereas they showed lower levels of leisure activity satisfaction when they wanted walking around or watching TV, and domestic trips for desired leisure activities, they demonstrated higher levels of leisure activity satisfaction when they wanted entertainment doing the game of go, or chess, and hobbies like hiking and social activities. Practice and policy level suggestions to offer leisure activities that meet the needs of the elderly were made based on the study results.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.76-86
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• 2009

Objectives: This study was conducted to find out the frequency of urinary incontinence among the rural elderly people and its related factors. Methods: Informations have been obtained through interviews from the 464 rural residents of advanced age over 65 years on September 1st through November 30th, 2007, in Chungnam Province. Results: As for the rate of experiencing urinary incontinence, the group with the experience rate of 「every day」 were 9.5% and 「occasionally」 35.5%, with the total of 45.0%. The higher rates of urinary incontinence were in the elderly women(58.5%) than in the elderly men (29.8%), in the more advanced in age, in the higher educated, and in the groups with higher monthly income. Based on life styles, the rate of experiencing urinary incontinence was significantly higher in smoking groups and non-drinking groups. Based on subjective senses of health, it was more highly associated with the groups who reported that they were not healthy, that they concerned themselves about health, that they had physical disability, that they had forgetfulness, and they needed assistance in terms of activity of daily living(ADL) and instrumental activity of daily living(IADL) than their respective counterparts. By the result of multiple logistic regression, sex, age, smoking status, anxiety, physical disability, amnesia, and IADL was indicated the affecting factors to the prevalence of urinary incontinence. Conclusions: The above results reveal that the rate of urinary incontinence was higher in the elderly women than the elderly men, and in more advanced age. Moreover, its rate increases in the groups with undesirable life styles or lower senses of subjective and physical health conditions. It is highly suggested that efforts to manage urinary incontinence of the elderly need to be narrowed to the more advanced, especially those with lower standards of health conditions.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.146-165
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• 1999

The purpose of this paper was to identify the performance of health promoting lifestyles and health perception over 18 years old women living Wonju city so that the results will be based for setting up women's health nursing center. The subjects were 1080 women selected by stratified and purposive sampling. The data were collected by self reporting questionnaire and interview from May to June, 1998. Data were analyzed by SPSS win program. The results were as follows : 1. The range of age was 18-84 years, The proportion according to women's lifecycle was premarital group 20.0%, delivery and rearing group 49.9%, over middle aged-elderly group 29.8%. 2. The mean menarchial age was 15.2 and menopausal age was 48. Mean frequenices of pregnancy is 2.4 and artificical abortion rate is 36.4%. Primary cause of abortion was unwanted babies 42.8%. The practice rate of family planning was 79.4% and permanent sterilization rate was 37.6%. 3. Fatigue was predominated problem in target population. Depression and headache was predominated in premarital group, headache and nervous felling in delivery and rearing group, arthritis and loss of memory in over middle aged-elderly group. 4. Only 13.7% of the target population make some efforts for their health in compare to 85.9% have attention for their health. Perception of unhealthy rate was 9.1% in premarital group, 24.8% in delivery and rearing group, 30.1% in middle aged-elderly group. 5. The average score of the HPLP(Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile) was 2.41. The variable with the highest degree of performance was interpersonal relationship, whereas the one with the lowest degree was the professional health maintenance. The significant difference was found in HPLP according to age, residential area, marital status, educational level, income level. 6. Majority(95.1%) of the target population agreed on necessity for women's health nursing center. Proper location area was presented to women's center and public health center. The priority for health education program was proper diet, family health, stress management, and exercise. In conclusion, we should prepare the education program for women's health according to women's lifecycle, because health perception, HPLP, and education program needed was differentiated in women's lifecycle. Also we suggest that women's health nursing center based community was needed for proper management of women's health.

• Asian Journal for Public Opinion Research
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.228-249
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• 2018

In 2015, the population of elderly people in Thailand was 16% of the total population and is predicted to be over 20% by 2021 and nearly 28% by 2031. The increase of the elderly population in Thailand has also increased the proportion of dependent elderly people, and caring for them poses many challenges for both families and the government. This descriptive method research aimed to survey the health status of dependent older people in the rural community of Lampang province in northern Thailand. The participants consisted of 62 older people and 62 primary family caregivers from Hong Ha Health Promoting Hospital, Lampang, Thailand (totaling 124 people). The researchers assessed the health status of older people and their activities of daily living (ADL). In addition, researchers assessed the health status and stress of caregivers. All the participants were interviewed about their experiences with caregiving. The results showed that most of the older respondents were female with an average age of 78.15 years. Based on the ADL assessment, 50 of the 62 older persons were homebound while the rest were bedridden. The majority of older people had chronic or long-term conditions that required hospitalization from time to time. Their frequent health problems included oral disorders such as tooth decay or caries/gum disease/no teeth, reduced sight, psychological disorders, knee pain and risk of falling, low BMI, risk of malnutrition, and urinary leakage and incontinence (58.06%, 66.13%, 62.90%, 70.97%, 38.71%, 66.13%, and 37.10%, respectively). Usual care provided by the family members included personal hygiene care, food preparation and feeding, medication management, housekeeping and organizing necessary equipment, supply of needed equipment, prevention of falls, helping with travel for medical checkups and treatment, and providing companionship. Families experienced shortages of medical supplies, daily use equipment, lack of employment, inadequate income, and difficulty accessing health care services due to lack of transportation. Some caregivers experienced caregiving stress related to a lack of social interactions as well as routine caregiving activities. Families need different types of support in order to promote the well-being of older people and caregivers. This highlights the need for a community participation model for the care of older people in order to reflect sustainable long-term outcomes.

• 한국노년학
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.801-821
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• 2020

There are a number of prior studies on the poverty experience of Korean women, but little is known about the poverty experience of Korean elderly women in the U.S. The purpose of this study is to examine the poverty experiences of Korean elderly women who immigrated to the U. S. Qualitative case study methods were used to achieve these research objectives. Three Korean elderly women living in Oakland of California who received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) from the U.S. federal government were included in the study. The data were collected by conducting a total of six meetings per participant, and the researcher read the consent form directly to the participants and obtained a hand-written signature. The analysis and interpretation began by repeating the interview transcript several times, and the repeated keywords were to be understood in the context, focusing on time, space, and relationships with other people. The contextual understanding of Korean elderly women's experiences in poverty was interpreted in three dimensions: extending poverty in their mother country, double torture as female immigrants, and limiting labor due to aging and diseases. Before moving to the U.S., they had a difficult livelihood by farming and one of them had to live in poverty due to the bereavement to her husband. But even after moving to the U.S., they have continued to live in poverty. As female immigrants with low education and no special skills, they were incorporated into the periphery of the labor market in the industrialized U.S. and were forced to make a living with low wages. Korean elderly women were unable to return to the labor market in the surrounding areas due to aging and diseases, and were continuing their impoverished lives relying on SSI. From the findings, we discussed the role of the Korean immigrants community as a way to improve the quality of life for Korean elderly women in the U.S.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.41 no.10 s.188
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• pp.129-147
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• 2003

The purpose of study was to improve the quality of the Family Welfare Service in Korea. For the purpose, this study consists of these main subjects. A analysis about the experience and satisfaction of the family life welfare services. And a analysis about the Needs of family life welfare services. The data was collected from 407 low-income families experienced of family life welfare service. The results are as follows They experienced more less $40\%$ of the family life welfare service. It appeared family life welfare service in Korea was still not 'for the family' but 'of the family'. The most of the them experienced or family lire welfare service did not satisfy about services. They hoped to set the family lire welfare services about housing, elderly-care, child-care, job opportunity.