• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.226-233
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• 2008

Objectives: The purpose was to test the effect of an empowerment health management program on self-esteem and the quality of life for the elderly who live in cities. Methods: Forty-three elders were randomly assigned to either the experimental group that received the intervention to participate in one year's empowerment practice (one home visiting per week and phone counselling) (n=21) or to the control group that got home visiting only (n=22). The data was analyzed using ANCOVA. Results: There was no significant difference in the self-esteem score between the two groups after the intervention. But the quality of life score of the experimental group was significantly different from that of the control group after the intervention. Conclusions: The health management intervention using empowerment for the elderly living alone with chronic diseases in urban areas had positive effects on the quality of life. Therefore this intervention can be broadly applied to other elders living alone with chronic diseases in urban areas.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.419-431
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study was to understand the determinants of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) according to age groups in vulnerable elderly women. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 1,533 elderly women beneficiaries of the visiting health care program in Seoul. The participants were divided into three age groups: the young-old (n=753, 65-74 years), old-old (n=602, 75-84 years), and oldest-old (n=178, 85 years or older) groups. HRQOL was measured using the SF-8 questionnaire. Results: HRQOL was found to be worse in the oldest-old group (p=.007). Factors associated with HRQOL differ by age groups. In the young-old and old-old groups, higher HRQOL showed significant correlation with a higher level of self-rated health (SRH) and a lower level of depression, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) dependence, and the number of chronic diseases. In addition, higher HRQOL was observed for elderly living alone than for those living with family. In the oldest group, higher HRQOL showed significant correlation with a lower level of depression, activities of daily living (ADL) dependence, and a higher level of SRH. Conclusions: In age specific groups, lower levels of HRQOL were observed for the oldest-old group than for the other age groups. Age group-specific nursing strategies may be required for improving HRQOL levels of vulnerable elderly women.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.97-104
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• 2017

Background: South Korea is one of fastest aging countries in the world. Poor balance and falls of the elderly are main health issues. Objects: The goal of this study was to understand the association between the socioeconomical factors and the standing balance of elderly living in the rural and urban area. Methods: One hundred sixty-six elderly participants who were older than 65 and were able to walk without an assistive device were recruited in the city of Gwangju and in the rural area of Jeonnam, South Korea. All participants performed the static and dynamic standing balance tests. Static standing balance was measured with chronometer in seconds while standing on one leg. Dynamic balance was tested with the timed up and go test (TUG), measured in seconds while getting up from a chair and walking 3 meters and back to sit. The static and dynamic standing balance was analyzed using analysis of variance and the Fisher's Least Significant Difference post hoc test. Results: Male participants from both areas had no difference in one leg standing and TUG. The female elderly living in rural area took shorter in TUG than females living in urban area. Age decreased the one leg standing time in both areas while did not affect the TUG significantly. As the monthly income increased, both of one leg standing and TUG increased in urban area, while the medium monthly income showed best performance (it was not statistically significant) in both of one leg standing and TUG in rural area. Conclusion: Socioeconomical factors affects differently the standing balance of the elderly living in rural and urban South Korea. Female living alone in urban area with low monthly income demonstrated worst standing balance in this study.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.940-955
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to compare the degree nutrient intake, health status and other characteristics of females aged 65 years and over in a longevity area according to family arrangement. For analysis, 585 female elderly were recruited from the Kugoksoondam area (Kurye, Goksung, Soonchang and Damyang counties), known as the longevity-belt region in Jeonla province, Korea. The subjects were categorized into three groups according to family arrangement (living alone, living with spouse only and living with family). Demographic characteristics were collected, as well as information on physical measurements, blood tests for biochemical indicators, health status and health-related life style, dietary behavior, favorite food groups, consumption frequency of food groups, nutrient intake and mini nutrition assessment. In the group living with their spouse only, the highest education, physical activity, diverse food intake, frequency of eating meats and fish, energy and nutrients intake, and score on the mininutrient status assessment (MNA) were found to be significantly favorable factors. Taken together, these results demonstrated that the group living with their spouse only had relatively superior nutrient intake and the quality of diet. In contrast, the group living alone showed the lowest self-rated economic status, diversity of food intake, and physical activity, with the highest frequency of drinking, smoking and regular exercise for almost everyday compared with the other groups. On the other hand, those living with family demonstrated the lowest intake of supplements or functional foods, and levels of hemoglobin hematocrit MCH, but the highest HBA1c and blood sugar. Therefore, the group living with family was assumed to be at risk of anemia and diabetes. These results could be useful to plan effective strategies to increase the health-life expectancy of Korean elderly people living in rural areas, according to family arrangement.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.43-50
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• 2012

According to the aging acceleration phenomenon of the population, Korean society is progressing toward the insecurity society on the 'blessing' or 'disaster'. The purpose of this paper is to establish direction of planning about the dwelling form of collective housing for the senior citizen who lives alone in rural and fishing villages. This focus of study is closely related to the health of the elderly and dwelling form preference. The results of research are as follows. First, the dwelling type of collective housing should be developed for elderly living alone, that must be secured by community life and private life at the same time. Second, it should be supported by such a level of application with Universal Design and Barrier Free Design. Third, collective housing served to the design that the elderly care, as one of the domiciliary care is value in having fact to psychological, physical intention. Fourth, it should be developed visit care or call care for welfare system service and community service manpower on the various types.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.65-75
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• 2015

This study aimed to analyze the preliminary data to increase the residents' satisfaction of mixed-generation house-sharing. For this purpose, we examined the recognition and demands of different generations and compared the differences. The participants were 50 elderly and 100 young people living in Seoul. The data were analyzed using SPSS statistics. The key findings are outlined below; 1. Most of the young people in our sample got to know about the house-sharing via various routes, but this option was not well known to the elderly. The interest in living in a house-sharing situation was higher among the young people than among the elderly. The reason why people were uninterested in house-sharing was their comfort in living alone. 2. Secure personal-space privacy and the choice of a housemate were regarded as the most important considerations in house-sharing by the young and the elderly, respectively. Young people anticipated a division of housework and the elderly were worried about communication with the younger generation. 3. Expected benefits tended to be higher in economic aspects for the young and in psychological aspects for the elderly. The elderly responded that they would be willing to share the kitchen and living room with the younger generation. Young people demanded necessary living facilities such as a laundry room and a community area with the elderly. The majority of the respondents from both generations said they would be able to solve problems through communication. In conclusion, public relations are needed to increase interest in house-sharing. The elderly and young should understand its purpose and treat each other as family members, not as house owners and tenants. There should be a manager who can coordinate the residents.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.44-57
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• 1983

The explosion of the aging population is changing the social environment of today's older people. Traditionally in Korea, a large percentage(over 90%) of elderly parents have lived with their married first son. But today, the number of elderly who live with their married sons has decreased(65.6%) The number of those who live in a different situation such as with their married daughter, unmarried offspring, with a spouse or alone has increased (34.4%) We can expect that the number of the elderly who have to live in institution will increase. The objective of this investigation was to determine differences in the number of health Complaints of older people according to their living situation with a view to planning more effective health care. The sample consisted of 231 persons over 65 years of age, 60 living in an Old Age Home ana 171 living in their own home in Kwangju. Data were gathered from July 9 to 26, 1983 by nursing students using a Questionnaire which was a modified form of the Cornell Medical Index. The data were categorized according to the subjects, living, sex, educational level, previous occupation, hobbies and sexual activity. The date were analyzed for statistical significant differences using F and X²tests. findings included the following: 1. There was a higher number of health complaints from persons who live in the institution than those living at home, but the difference was not significant. 2. The highest number of health Complaints were from persons who live alone, followed by those living with their daughters, and then by those living in the institution. Persons who live with their sons had the least Complaints. The difference in the number of Complaints accord-ing to with whom they were living was significant. 3. Women had signincantly more Complaints than men. Persons who were not living with their spouses had significantly more complaints than those living with their spouses.4. The higher eductional level the persons had, the less health Complaints they had. The number of Complaints accoraing to educational level was significantly different. 5. The highest number of health complaints were from persons who had involved in Commerce and industry, followed by those in Agriculture. Persons who were civil servant had the least 6. There were more complains from persons who had no hobby than those with hobbies. The complaints. The difference was significant. difference was significant. 7. Persons who said they were sexually inactive had significantly more complaints than those who said they were sexually active. As age increased, sexual activity significantly decreased. Those who lived with their spouse were significantly more sexually active. 8. The highest number of Somatic Complaints were eye fatigue, followed by nocturnal frequency, lumbago, cramps in extremities, vertigo, stiffness in Shoulder, tinnitus, common cold and constipation. The order of Psychic Complaints from higher to lower were anger. sensitivity, anxiety, depression and loneliness. 9. This group of Elderly persons said they valued Health the most, followed by Harmony, Religion, Money and Honor.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.201-210
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• 2010

Over the past few decades, the proportion of elderly people in Korea has been rapidly increasing. In particular, rural areas are experiencing aging of communities more rapidly compared to urban areas. However, public policy for the elderly does not respond to the needs of rural elderly. To distribute health care resources equitably, it is necessary to gather reliable information on the health status of the elderly. The purpose of this study is to explore factors affecting Korean elderly people's ADL functional status. The data sources are from 2004 Elderly Living Condition Survey. The Analysis sample consists of 3,278 cases. Analysis results show that there is a significant residential variability in education, monthly stipend, living arrangement, subjective health status, regular food in-take, and regular exercise. Logistic regression analysis results also show that 'cognitive ability'(exp(B)=6.603), 'subjective health status'(exp(B)=4.576), 'age'(exp(B)=2.610), and 'living arrangement'(exp(B)=.589) are factors affecting ADLs. Namely, when a respondent's cognitive ability is limited, subjective health status is poor, or if their age is over 75, the probability of having a limited ADL has been 6.6 times, 4.6 times, and 2.6 times higher than otherwise. Among these variables, cognitive ability was the best explanation. In contrast, respondents who live with a spouse or adult children have a lower probability of having limited ADL compared with those who live alone. Considering that the most critical criteria in determining eligibility for social welfare services is ADLs, the development of appropriate ADL assessment tools is in an urgent need. Without the accurate assessment on ADLs, particularly on rural as well as the urban elderly, it seems to be hard to achieve effectiveness in the health care policy for the elderly.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.75-84
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• 2004

As the advent of an aging society, housing for the elderly has been of greater concern. Since the majority of the elderly prefers to live in their own familiar houses rather than moving to new ones, this study is concerned with the ways of the effective use and maintenance of exiting houses from the viewpoint of their independent living. The data was analyzed with frequency, percentage, mean, correlation, and multiple regression using the SPSS 10.0 for Windows. The findings from the study are: The general satisfaction rate of Interior Design Affordance(IDA) was-evaluated about the average. Among the items of IDA, behavioral facilitation was found most satisfactory, and perceptual maintenance, physilogical maintenance, and social facilitation were followed in satisfaction level. Although there had been many elements of serious safety dangers, no home modification was made in the elderly households who live alone or/with spouse.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.17-28
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• 2016

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effects of a 'Customized Integrated Health Care Program' for male living alone in a single region and assist health promotion of the participants. Methods: This study was one-group pretest-posttest design. Eleven participants in the 'Happy Cooking Class for Male Living Alone' who made 100% of attendance from February 18 to September 8, 2016 were analyzed. Nonparametric paired T-test was performed to determine the differences in Blood pressure(BP), Blood sugar(BS), Cholesterol, Hemoglobin(Hb), Dementia screening test, Depression screening test of the participants in the Customized Integrated Health Care Program. Results: After applying the 'Customized Integrated Health Care Program', Hb level(z=-2.724, p=.006) and Dementia screening test(z=-1.974, p=.048) increased statistically significantly. Conclusion: As the elderly living alone increase in number, it seems that social support networks and health care programs contribute to health promotion of the participants and positively affect the rest of their life.