• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.16-22
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• 2006

Falling is a serious problem associated with aging. Unintentional injury, which most often results from falling, is one of the leading causes of death in elderly people. The purpose of this study is to investigate the risk factors of falls and to compare characteristics of people who fall with that of non-fallers among the rural community-dwelling elderly of Korea. A sample of 201 people, living in the community, aged 60 years and over was taken from the members of a center for seniors located in Jecheon city. The mean age of the participants was 70.5 years of age. The participants are comprised of 151 women and 50 men. Eighty four of the 201 participants (41.8%) fell during the previous year. Twenty two of the fallers (26.2%) fell down more than two times. It was found that fallers had poorer eyesight, multiple chronic diseases and a more difficult time walking than non-fallers. In the logistic regression analysis of falls, only the difficulty of walking one kilometer (OR=2.4) and chronic diseases (OR=2.5) have shown an increased risk of falls. The risk of recurrent falls is, in addition, influenced by the difficulty of walking one kilometer. The result of our study shows that the impairment of mobility was the strongest risk factor of recurrent falling.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.186-194
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the subjective health status of joints, flexibility of joints, muscle strength and state of Joint exercise in elderly people living in the community. Method: The participants were 74 elderly people in a health program of the Gerontological Health Research Center at G University. The data were collected from March to July, 2003. The instrument for the study included items on general characteristics (5 items), subjective health status of joints (10 items), flexibility of Joints and strength of muscle (8 items), and state of joint exercise (7 items). Results: The score for subjective health status of joints was 3.70 (range 1-5). Knee and waist joints were in the worst state. Neck extension and flexion were $17.38{\pm}1.80$ and $.60{\pm}1.08(cm)$ respectively. Trunk extension and flexion were $68.24{\pm}4.47$ and $58.00{\pm}4.91(cm)$ respectively. Flexibility of the Rt./Lt. shoulder joints was $14.63{\pm}12.51/18.82{\pm}13.80(cm)$. Muscle strength of the Rt./Lt. leg was $30.47{\pm}19.68/29.67{\pm}21.22$ (sec.). Shoulder joints were more flexible for men and people in their sixties compared to women and people in their seventies. Hand grip was stronger for men compared to women. The score for state of joint exercise was 2.83(range 1-4). The state of handgrip correlated with the state of joint exercise [r=.423 (Rt.)/r=.273(Lt.)]. Conclusion: To prevent falls and disorders in neuromuscular function, it is important to develop systemic joint exercise programs for elderly people.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.814-823
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• 2002

This study was conducted to evaluate the nutritional status of the elderly women, who attended the Health Promotion Program of the Seogu Health Center in Daegu. The study subjects were 158 elderly women in an urban community. The general characteristics, dietary behavior (nutritional knowledge, nutritional attitudes and dietary habits), food and nutrient intake were surveyed by an individual interview. The average age of the study subjects was 70.9 $\pm$ 2.3 years of the subject group 79.1% ranged in age from 65 to 74 years and 20.9% were over 75 years. Their average score for nutritional knowledge, nutritional attitudes and dietary habits was 7.3 (total mark of 10), 7.2 (total mark of 10) and 9.1 (total mark of 22) respectively. Specifically, the level of the dietary habits of the study subjects was very low. In relation to food group intake of the study subjects according to age, their food intake was low. The total, plant. and animal food intake were 1078.9 g, 954.4 g (88.5%), and 244.4 g (11.5%), respectively. The mean daily energy intake and nutrient intake according to percentage of the Korean RDA were higher in the from 65 to 74 year group than in those people over 75 years. The average calories and the mean percentage of nutrient intake, except for vitamin C and phosphorus. were below 75% of the Korean RDA. It seems that the nutrient intake was very low. The mean nutrient adequacy ratio (MAR) was 0.59. Nutritional status of age over 75 years old was significantly lower than that of 6574 years old group (Mar ＝ 0.60 VS 0.54, p ＜ 0.05) The correlation coefficients between their dietary behavior (nutritional knowledge, nutritional attitudes, dietary habit) and their mean nutrient adequacy ratio (MAR) showed significant linear relations. In conclusion, if nutritional education is to affect the dietary behavior of elderly women, it should be included in a Program to Promote their nutrition and health status.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.797-810
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• 2010

This study examined perceived discomforts encountered in residential facilities such as individual houses and apartments, and suggested a procedure for improving the problems in the living residence. The participants consisted of two groups of people: normal and underprivileged people; the underprivileged group was classified into 3 sub-groups: elderly people (over 65 years old), handicapped people and pregnant women. To identify inconvenient places and design factors in the residential housing, a total of 200 subjects (50 for each group) participated in the survey using the 7-point Likert scale. As a result, all the user groups mainly answered a high degree of discomfort due to narrow parking places, doorsills, and height differences between floors. The elderly, the handicapped, and the pregnant women replied that it is uncomfortable to use ramps and utility rooms. In a follow-up study, one-to-one in-depth interviews were conducted with some of the participants to analyze the detailed causes of inconvenient places and design factors. This study also suggested the procedure for solving the problems in various design factors from perspective of universal design, by considering prior studies which focused on a certain user group like the elderly. This procedure was suggested to consider as many user groups as possible at the same time. The results can be used to understand the discomforts of various user groups on residential housing. The procedure can also be used to develop universal design guidelines for the living residence.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.292-300
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• 2010

Objectives: This study attempted to explore the aging phenomena that now characterize much of Korean society, and assessed issues associated with the life satisfaction experienced during the process of aging. Methods: By employing the National Survey on the State of Life and the Desire for Welfare of the Elderly, 2004 in South Korea this study attempted to identify the factors that determine subjective life satisfaction among the elderly. The data utilized herein consisted of 3278 elderly people aged 65 years or older, from 9308 households. Results: The results of analysis from the final model after the introduction of 19 variables in 8 factors showed statistically similar explanatory power in men (adj. $R^2=0.320$) and in women (adj. $R^2=0.346$). We found that economic condition was the most influential factor in both men (B = 0.278) and women (B = 0.336) except perceived health condition variables. The second most influential variable in life satisfaction was health checkups in men (B = 0.128) and degree of nutritional diet in women (B = 0.145). Those who had experience with chronic diseases also reported significantly lower perceived life satisfaction and this was particularly true of women. Conclusions: The aging society requires an understanding of the lives of elderly individuals. This study explored factors associated with life satisfaction in old age by using a life satisfaction model. The success of an aging society begins with an accurate understanding of the elderly, and thus political attention will need to be focused on this matter.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.279-286
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• 2016

Recently, with the population growth of elderly people, concerns about oral health related to the quality of life of the elderly are increasing. The purpose of this study is to assess the association between the elderly women divided into dementia, suspected dementia, healthy groups and the remaining teeth of them. Total 177 elderly women of over 60 years old, visiting on senior center in some community dwelling, were assessed for oral condition and their cognitive function with MMSE score. All the collected data were analyzed by chi-square test, t-test, and multiful logistic regression using SPSS. Multiful logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship of dementia according to MMSE score and remaining teeth, and 95% confidence intervals were computed. Odds ratio(OR) of the number of remaining teeth 0-10 was 3.43 (95% confidence interval: 1.382-8.997). This study showed significant difference and the relationship between dementia according to MMSE score and the number of remaining teeth of the elderly women.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.143-154
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• 2009

The purpose of this research is to investigate elderly, middle-aged female consumers' design and material preferences for lounge wear and after understanding senescent women's propensity to purchase lounge wear. The subject of research were to those living in the Seoul and capital region and 612, which did not comprise missing values, were collected and used for data analyses. All the age groups including those in their 50s and 60s prefer jacket and pants styles the most and these styles are the most favored as lounge wear as well. Those in their 50s and 60s prefer a round neckline the most while those in their 70s favor a V neckline the most. Analyses of sleeve styles of senescent women show that all the age groups favor a straight set, or a sleeve design, the most. Although the aged people investigated in this research have relatively high purchasing power, it is found that they tend to buy low priced lounge wears. Reviewing all of the above-mentioned results, the prices of garments for senescent people will be set in consideration of their economic level, so that good quality commodities may be produced and sold at different prices.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.675-687
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• 2004

This study is designed to assess the prevalence at risk of malnutrition according to the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and evaluate the factors influencing on the nutritional risk of the elderly. Three hundred and nine elderly (110 men and 199 women: mean age =74.1) who participated in meal service in the Chung-buk province were investigated. Mean MNA total score was 21.9 and women had significantly lower MNA scores than men (respectively, 21.5 and 22.8). In the mean time mean MNA-SF (Short Form) score was 10.7, respectively 10.6 for the women and 11.0 for the men, with the difference being statistically significant. The MNA classified 33% of the elderly as well-nourished, 61.7% as at risk of malnutrition and 5.3% as overt malnourished. However, MNA-SF categorized the examinees 40.2% as good and 59.8% at nutritional risk. Those who identified as malnourished elderly had significantly lower mean BMI, mid-arm and calf circumference, poorer functional abilities (ADL, IADL) , lower MAR and food habits scores, and higher number of nutrient $\leq$ 75% of RDA than those with at risk of malnutrition and well nourished. Also socioeconomic status such as educational level, self-rated economic status, poverty level, and marital status significantly influenced nutritional status. Similar effect was observed in self-rated nutritional status and health status, dental status, appetite change according to MNA score. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that weight loss was the most predictive item in the total MNA and MNA-SF score. It was found that items such as mobility, living status (home vs institution) , mode of feeding, and pressure sores were inappropriate for assessment of the elderly who are able to participate meal service program. Also, some modifications of items in MNA are needed in order to apply to Korean elderly. Even though the MNA seems to be an useful tool to screen those old people at risk of malnourished, a lot of work is still to be done with this assessment tool to secure its reliability.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.107-114
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• 2015

This study aimed to identify the impact of make-up education program on the level of satisfaction with make-up and the self-esteem of 80 elderly women. This education was provided during 8 weeks from May 28 to 16 July 2010 to women over 60 who were visiting P seniors welfare center, in D city. Some people fell out of the research, so finally the experimental group was 34 and the control group 36. During this research seven methods of make-up, including that of light make up were taught to the experimental group. Comparing the satisfaction and self-esteem levels before and after education. The result was that through the education the levels of their satisfaction with make-up and of their self-esteem were shown to have increased (p<0.05), significantly. We hope that through this research old people's healthy living and their social confidence can better converge.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.371-379
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the factors influencing inadequate energy intake among Korean elderly. Methods: Our study included 1,869 elderly people (over 60 years old) who completed a dietary survey from the fifth Korean NHANES (2010). Factors that could affect the nutritional status of the elderly included age, family status, socio-economic factors (education, family income, livelihood security, employment), and health related factors (having chronic disease, functional status, diet therapy, depression, and suicidal thoughts). Energy and protein intake were assessed using the dietary intake data from 24hr recall method. Results: The percentage of people who consumed energy less than 75% of EEA for Koreans was 23.7% in men, 31.1% in women. The carbohydrate contribution to the total energy intake in the inadequate energy intake group was significantly higher than that in the adequate intake group (p < 0.05). Factors significantly related to inadequate energy intake after adjusting for age, family status, education, family income, employment, functional status, and suicidal thoughts were education (OR: 1.480 in men, 1.614 in women) and employment (OR: 1.751 in men, 1.464 in women), age 70 years or older in men (OR: 1.475), and living with family but without spouse in women (OR: 1.496). Conclusion: In summary, the results imply that energy intake of elderly would be affected by the status of social environment with aging and nutrition-related policy for Korean elderly should be based on the social status as well as health related conditions.