• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.159-174
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to examine the health care expenditure of elderly single and elderly couple households whose head is more than 60 years old. The data analyzed for the study were Korean Retirement and Income Study(KRelS) conducted in 2007 by National Pension Corporation. The major finding of this study were as follows: First, the amount of health care expenditure of elderly single households was lower than that of elderly couple households. However, ratio of health care expenditure to total consumption expenditure of elderly single households was larger than that of elderly couple households. Second, the ratio of health care expenditure in consumption expenditure in this study was larger than the ratios in past analyse showed in the previous studies. Third, common factor affecting on health care expenditure of elderly single and elderly couple households was the existence of the family member with chronic disease or handicap. The health care expenditure of elderly singer households was influenced by income, gender and the ownership of national health insurance. The influence of income for elderly singer households seemed to be greater than for elderly couple households. The variables which affected health care expenditure of elderly couple households were age and housing tenure status. The amount and ratio health care expenditure were increased as the age increases. These results show that the health care expenditures for each groups varied according to socio-demographic variables and health-related behavior variables. It is suggested that there should be a discriminative health care policy for each elderly single and elderly couple households. In addition, the health care policy for the elderly households of which member has a chronic disease is certainly necessary. Especially a health care plan for the elderly single households with lower income is in need. For the elderly couple households, the priority group of health care policy would be the high age group.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.111-130
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• 2001

Using the 1996 Expenditure Survey of Urban Famines from the Korea National Statistics Office, this study examines the economic status and the inequality of the elderly households. To explain the inequality of the single elderly households, this study divides the elderly into three groups of single, couple, and Living with admit children, and compares the total household income, total household expenditure and the net saving amount of these three groups. The results of Gini coefficients and Lorenz curries show that the inequality is higher in the single elderly household than couple elderly households or living with adult children elderly households. To investigate the reason of the inequality, this study compares the income, expenditure, and net saving amount by working condition of the household head in each three group. The result implies the need of employment to get household income especially for the single elderly who are in the higher inequality economic condition.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.557-572
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• 2011

This study examines the effect of adult-children support network on the psychological well-being of the single and couple elderly households in rural areas. Adult-children support networks include both structural and functional characteristics. For the purpose of this research, 476 participants, who are older than 60 years old, living in rural areas, were selected. The results of this study are summarized as follows: the average degree of psychological well-being of the rural elderly was high. Emotional support from adult children was higher than economic or instrumental support. In the case of the single elderly households, adult children's economic support was the strongest variable affecting the psychological well-being. In the case of the couple elderly households, adult children's emotional support had the greater effect on psychological well-being. On the basis of this analysis, policy implications regarding the single and couple elderly households in rural areas were discussed.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.33-41
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics of space usage patterns by types of elderly households(single or couple). For the study, 74 elders who were older than 65 were selected and their living behaviors at their home during a day (24 hours) were analyzed. Respondents were classified into 6 types based on a combination of their household type, income level and health status. The results showed that the elderly residents tended to live a well-regulated life, however, each type had unique time and space use pattern. For example, the more the elder residents were healthy, the more they used many rooms. Frail elderly residents spent most of the day in their bedroom. Also, if they had a spouse, each one tended to use a separate private room for his or her daily life whether they shared a bedroom or not.

• Design Convergence Study
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.19-41
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• 2016

This study aimed to diagnose the housing conditions of the low income single or couple elderly households. Specifically, this study divided the elderly households into total 8 housing situations according to the three factors of residential area, household composition and income level, and compare the housing satisfaction level by household situation. This study was conducted in the form of the 1:1 interview with structured questionnaire and the field study, targeting the low income single or couple elderly households over 65 years old in urban and rural areas. The 80 collected data was analyzed using the SPSS statistics program. First, the households living in the urban areas and those in the rural areas had different housing conditions. Secondly, there was a clear difference in housing conditions between the single elderly households and couple elderly households. Third, the housing conditions were different depending on the gap in income level. This research is expected to be used as a basic resource to understand their various and differentiated demands and plan the housing environment to properly meet the demand.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.1-8
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• 2023

This study aims to analyze the trend of changes in the elderly living arrangement over the past 20 years and the reasons why the elderly choose these changes. The subjects of the survey were households aged 65 years or older in Korea. Data from the survey of Ministry of Health and Welfare conducted in 2004, 2014, 2020 were used for the analysis. The result of analysis was as follows; First, since 2000, the number of elderly households living with their children has been rapidly decreasing, while the number of elderly couple households and single elderly households is gradually increasing. Second, elderly living alone appeared more in rural areas, women, older people, and elderly with low education. They are in a vulnerable position that needs help. Therefore, welfare policies for the elderly should be focused on elderly single households. Finally the reason for choosing elderly single household in 2020 was that the voluntary choice by the individual accounted for a much higher rate than the unintentional choice by the children. In addition, the life satisfaction of the elderly who arbitrarily selected the living arrangement was higher than that of the elderly who deliberately chose the living arrangement.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.49-58
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• 2007

Kitchen space is one of the most dangerous places for the elderly. Modifications of kitchen space for improving safety and independence for older residents are very important factor for aging in place. The purpose of this study was to identify the current situations and modifications of kitchen space by elderly-headed households. The sample included 108 respondents over the age 65 who consisted of elderly-couple or single person household with homeownership in Seoul. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Based on the findings of the study, the present incidence and recognition of future need in kitchen modifications were identified. Changes made in kitchen space tended to be nonstructural or relatively inexpensive items. In conclusion, this study suggests several ideas for improving current physical problems of kitchen space to support safe and independent daily living of older residents.

• 한국노년학
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.759-778
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• 2010

The purposes of this study were to identify living behavioral patterns in of single or couple elderly households in residential environment, to find out ubiquitous home services for the elders, and finally to suggest the ubiquitous home services according to each household's type. For this study, literature review, field works for ubiquitous home services for the elders, and in-depth interview and observation by 74 elderly participants were conducted. The major findings of the study were as follows: single or spouse elderly households were classified into 8 types according to the combination of their household types, income level, and health status. Among 8 types, 2 types were excluded for final analysis due to small sample size. Living behavioral characteristics of 6 types were analyzed and the behavioral pattern of each type was drawn. Based on this behavioral pattern of each type, ubiquitous home services which meet the needs of each type were suggested. The implications and limitations of this study were also discussed and the suggestions for further studies were recommended.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.217-231
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• 2024

The aims of this study were to identify (a) the social network contact frequency of the elderly with children, relatives, and friends; (b) the impact of contact frequency (face-to-face/non-face-to-face) on life satisfaction of the elderly; and (c) the moderating effect of digital capabilities of the elderly on the relationship between social contact frequency and life satisfaction. Data were obtained from the National Survey of Older Koreans 2020. The sample comprised 6,119 adults aged 65+ who were in single or couple households. The principal findings were as follows. First, couple households, higher levels of education, and better health status increased life satisfaction of the elderly. Second, the higher the frequency of face-to-face contact with children and the higher the frequency of non-face-to-face contact with friends, the more positive the effect on life satisfaction of the elderly. Third, the interaction effect of the digital capabilities of the elderly differed according to children, relatives and friends. There was a significant and positive moderating effect on the relationship between life satisfaction and the frequency of face-to-face/non-face-to-face contact with children and the frequency of face-to-face contact with relatives. Conversely, there was a significant negative effect on the relationship between life satisfaction and the frequency of face-to-face/non-face-to-face contact with friends. By examining the impact of non-face-to-face contact on life satisfaction of the elderly in the era of digital transformation, the findings have significance in that they provide basic data to support policies and education programs aimed at improving the digital capabilities of the elderly.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.69-76
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate housing DB construction for elderly people. Document research and content analysis methods were used in this study. The major results of this study are as follows. The number of elderly household is increasing very rapidly. In particular, they consist of a single person or a couple. These households prefer to live and age in a detached house. However, the social welfare system does not satisfy their needs. Therefore a systematic social support or welfare system is required to reflect their needs. For example, related works of housing welfare need to be prepared so that their data base system correctly reflects the socio-demographic characteristics and living conditions of the elderly.