• 한국노년학
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.741-762
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to identify the Nutrition Quotient for Elderly(NQ-E) of the elderly living in the community and to investigate the characteristics of living conditions affecting the nutritional status of the elderly. The subjects of the survey were 1,970 elderly single elderly households aged 65 and over in the nationwide through convenience sampling method. A survey cooperative system was established with Comprehensive Support Center for Elderly Living Alone, and the 25 social welfare institutions. 385 Life Managers for Elderly Living Alone participated as a survey agent. As a result, NQ-E was 51.14 points, which is the lowest level in the NQ-E, and the explanatory power was 20.1% in multiple regression analysis. Significant variables were age, sex, subjective health status, low number of medication, non-smoker, non-alcoholic, satisfactory economic status, academic status, and the interaction with family and neighbors. Based on this result, this study explains that comprehensive measures of nutritional management for the elderly living alone needs to be sought.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.398-404
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a non-elastic fixation belt on the balance ability and fall prevention in elderly women. Elderly women experience reduced balance ability and an increased risk of falls due to a weakening of the surrounding sacroiliac joint and pelvic muscles during childbirth and menopause. On the other hand, specific studies are still needed. The subjects were allocated randomly to two groups: control (n=20) and experimental (n=20). The experimental group used a non-elastic fixation belt, whereas the control group had no fixation belt. The balance ability and the fall index were measured in all subjects using a balance measurement device, and the low abdominal muscle thickness was determined in the experimental group using ultrasound imaging for the exact application of the non-elastic fixation belt. The following statistical analysis was performed: an independent t-test for the general characteristics of the subjects, $2{\times}2$ analysis of variance with repeated measures for the balance and fall index score, and a paired t-test for the abdominal muscle thickness. The group ${\times}$ time interaction effect showed significant improvement in the General Stability Index (F1,38=47.24, p=0.001), Fourier Harmony Index (F1,38=88.83, p=0.001), Weight Distribution Index (F1,38=50.21, p=0.001), and Fall Index (F1,38=21.59, p=0.001). The thicknesses of the transverse abdominal (p=0.001) and internal oblique (p=0.001) muscles were increased significantly in the experimental group after using the non-elastic fixation belt. Overall, the application of a non-elastic fixation belt could be effective in improving the balance ability and fall prevention in elderly women.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.786-793
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• 2000

Objectives : A clinical analysis was performed to provide management strategy and to improve management outcome of elderly patients with intracranial aneurysm. Patients and Methods : We reviewed medical records of 746 consecutive patients with intracranial aneurysm who were admitted from July 1991 to December 1996. They were divided into two age groups : elderly(120 patients aged 65 years or older) and non-elderly(626 patients aged 64 years or younger). We investigated the differences between the two groups in clinical characteristics, management outcome and surgical results. Results : Female(80.0%), internal carotid artery aneurysm(48.9%), poor clinical grade(Hunt and Hess Grade IV, V : 39.8%), postoperative subdural fluid collection(38.2%), and postoperative hydrocephalus(39.7%) were more frequent in the elderly patients. There were no significant differences in the incidence of hypertension, multiple aneurysm, unruptured aneurysm, rebleeding, delayed ischemic neurological deficits, postoperative hemorrhage, and low density on the postoperative brain CT scan. In some cases, surgical clipping of ruptured aneurysm could not be performed due to moribund state or refusal of surgery by the elderly patient's family. Both management outcome and surgical results in elderly aneurysm patients at 3 months after rupture were worse than those of the non-elderly group. The most common reason of unfavorable outcome was poor clinical grade in both groups, while serious medical illness causing unfavorable outcome was more common in the elderly group. Conclusion : Surgical treatment of a ruptured aneurysm should not be avoided in elderly patient solely on the basis of advanced age. If the patients are in good clinical grade, early aneurysm surgery followed by early ambulation should be recommended. Further improvements in outcome may be achieved by thorough knowledge of poor resilience of brain, CSF flow dynamics, and diminished cardiopulmonary reserve in elderly patients with intracranial aneurysm.

• Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.308-317
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• 2017

Objectives: We aimed to examine the effects of various leisure activities on cognitive impairment in young-old (aged 65-74 years) and old-old (aged ${\geq}75$ years) adults. Methods: In total, 10,279 elderly Korean individuals from the 2014 Korean National Survey on Older Adults' cohort were enrolled in our study. Cognitive impairment was assessed using the standardized score of the Mini-Mental State Examination for Dementia Screening, whereas leisure activities were recorded via self-reporting of the extent and type of leisure activity the subjects involved in over the past year. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the effect of leisure activities on cognitive impairment, while controlling for potential covariates. Results: The subjects were more likely to participate in cognitive activities than in non-exercise physical activities. After controlling for selected covariates, involvement in cognitive activities was found to be a significant predictor of cognitive impairment in both the groups, whereas involvement in non-exercise physical activities was not a predictor of cognitive impairment in individuals aged ${\geq}75$ years. Moreover, depressive symptoms, rural residence, and hearing difficulties were common predictors of cognitive impairment among elderly-Korean-individuals. Conclusion: Leisure activity involvement may help delay cognitive impairment, which is often concomitant with aging. Hence, an early intervention service may significantly benefit both young-old and old-old individuals.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.257-262
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• 2000

This paper is to report our findings that vitamin B6 and folate nutritional state in the rural elderly population with alcohol dependency is poor. The present study was carried out to assess vitamin B6 and folate status in the 17 rural elderly subjects with alcohol dependency and 15 age-and sex-matched controls. Plasma and red cell folate concentrations were analyzed microbiologically, and pyridoxal-5-phosphate dependent erythrocyte alanine aspartate transminase(EAST) activity coefficients were determined using enzyme-coenzyme saturation kinetics. There was no difference in the amount of vitamin consumed between the two groups, and their intakes were 64% and 74.7%, respectively of the Korean dietary recommended allowances for vitamin B6 and folate. The mean percent activation for EAST of the total subjects was greater than 80%, suggesting an inadequate vitamin B6 status between the two groups. Folate concentrations in the red cell, but not in the plasma were significantly lower in the alcohol dependent(141.9ng/ml) subjects than that of the control(233.2ng/ml). Cigarette smokers had lower vitamin B6 and folate levels. Plasma and red cell folate levels were highest among the non-smoking, non-alcohol dependent subjects(11.7 and 257.3ng/ml, respectively) and lowest in the smoker-alcohol dependent group(6.7 and 132.9ng/ml). Finding ways to improve vitamin nutritional state such as vitamin supplementation might be necessary for the rural elderly people, especially for those with alcohol dependency.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.26-34
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare long-term hospital and general hospital for delirium prevalence and precipitating factors in elderly patients. Method: The participants were 184 patients aged 65 or older from one general hospital and 4 long-term facilities. Delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method and precipitating factors for delirium were classified as demographic, physical condition, disease and drug factors associated with delirium found in a literature analysis. Results: Delirium prevalence was 5.4% and there was no significant difference according to hospital type. Most of the patients with delirium were male, dependent and dehydrated and had sleep disturbances, diseases and drugs associated with delirium and, had multi-drugs prescriptions. Non-delirious patients also had two or more delirious symptoms and several precipitating factors. Delirious patients were more dependent, urinary incontinent and had sleep-disturbances compared to the non-delirious group. The participants in the long-term hospitals were found to have frequently previous delirium history. Conclusion: Even though the prevalence rate of delirium was not high, most elderly patients, regardless of delirium, are a very high risk group and dependent ADL, sleep disturbances, and/or urinary incontinence could be used predictive factors for delirium.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.48-55
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• 2014

Purpose: In this study, we attempted to provide an evidence for the effects of meridian acupressure on relieving and preventing constipation in the institutionalized elderly. Methods: The research design was a non-equivalent control group, non-synchronized design. The subjects consisted of 31 institutionalized elderly (experimental group: 16, control group: 15). The experimental group was given meridian acupressure for 10 minutes daily for 2 weeks. The data was analyzed by the ${\chi}^2$-test, Fisher's exact test, t-test and repeated measures ANOVA. Results: The number of bowel movements per week of the experimental and control group performed meridian acupressure verified by repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed that interaction existed between the meridian acupressure availability and the measurement point (F=98.183, p<.001). Repeated measures analysis of variance to compare the changes in Bristol stool form scale scores of the experimental and control group performed meridian acupressure revealed that interaction existed between the meridian acupressure availability and the measurement point (F=48.896, p<.001). Conclusion: The results of this study show the meridian acupressure is a useful nursing intervention on constipation in the institutionalized elderly.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the difference between the faller and the non-faller in the test for balance and fear of falling. This was also done to determine whether the balance and the fear of falling are correlated in the elderly. Method: Forty eight subjects participated in this study, who attended the senior center in Daegu. Prior to the test, demographic data was collected. As for the balance test, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up & Go (TUG), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Functional Reach Test (FRT), and One Leg Stance (OLS) were used. For measuring the fear of falling, Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) and Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) were used. Independent t-test and Pearson's correlation was performed using PASW 18.0 for windows. Result: All balance tests, except OLS, and fear of falling could discriminate between the faller and the non-faller. There existed a significant correlation between some balance test and fear of falling (r=0.64~0.86). Conclusion: The findings indicate that assessing the falling in the elderly, there needs to be a consideration of multiple aspects including the fear of falling and not only the balance test.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.289-301
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the level of health behaviors, perceived health status, emotional and cognitive conditions and depression of the elderly residence in homeless shelters, and to identify related factors on their depression. Method: This was a descriptive study using a questionnaire. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) was used for examining depression, and other questionnaire were adopted and modified from the customized visiting health care service. Result: The 41 subjects displayed mild depression ($5.34{\pm}3.33$). The majority were non-smokers (73.2%) and non-drinkers (85%), and 81.1% of the subjects did light activities with 74.4 % performing regular exercise more than once per week. Perceived health status was above average in 70.7%, and feeling stress (70.7%), suicidal thoughts (12.2%) and abnomal KDSQ-C (29.3%) were shown in emotional and cognitive conditions. Depression had a significant relationship with regular exercise (t=3.61, p=.001), perceived health status (t=3.47, p=.041) and suicidal thoughts (t=2.85, p=.007). Conclusion: It is necessary to increase shelters for the elderly homeless and construct the system for examining not only their physical health but also their psychological problems, and to ensure long- term care recognizing their unique characteristics and needs, and their increasing number.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.133-142
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine and evaluate the effects of auricular acupressure on musculoskeletal pain, depression and sleep of the elderly who are institutionalized in long-term care facilities. Methods: The research was conducted in a non-equivalent control group and non-synchronized design with data collected from October to December, 2016. The subjects were from long-term care facilities for the elderly in D city and divided into an experimental group (24 subjects) and a control group (25 subjects). Results: After the intervention, the experimental group showed significant improvement in degree of musculoskeletal pain on time ($x^2=23.89$, p<.001) and degree of depression on time and group ($x^2=37.42$, p<.001, U=122.0, p<001) and degree of sleep on time ($x^2=33.62$, p<.001). Thus, the suggested hypothesis is partially supported. Conclusion: Auricular acupressure therapy is expected to be a practical and efficient nursing intervention for the elderly institutionalized in long-term care facilities.