• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.96-103
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• 2015

This study investigates the socio-economic and clinical characteristics associated with emergency medical transport use by the elderly based on 2008~2011 Korea Health Panel data. A model of emergency medical transport use was analyzed, and the results indicate that use of 119 ambulances and private ambulances by the elderly accounted for 46.8% of all users, and 35.1% of their emergency room visits. Statistically significant factors associated with emergency medical transport use were gender (OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.51-3.17), relationship to household (OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.45-3.32), insurance type (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.10-1.82), handicap (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.14-1.83), reason for emergency department visits (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.20-1.97), and treatment after emergency medical service completed (OR = 3.45, 95% CI = 2.80-4.25). The increased elderly population in an aging society will lead to a surge in demand for emergency patient transport services, and emergency medical services that are tailored to the elderly need to be developed accordingly.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.207-232
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• 2014

This study intended to understand the way loneliness and depression affect psychological and physical health of older adults, and conducted a structural equational modeling of a relationship among loneliness, depression and health status of older adults. A survey was conducted on 329 individuals who were utilizing senior welfare agencies located in Seoul and the surrounding cities. The study examined the effects of loneliness and depression on their health status as well as the role of depression in this process. The data analysis showed a good fit of the structural model and suggested an evidence of depression fully mediating the effect of loneliness on health status. This result indicated that the current focus of services on increasing quantity of social contact among older people may need a paradigm shift towards improving their subjective loneliness and quality of interpersonal relationships.

• 한국노년학
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.617-635
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate both poverty and depression among older adults, focusing on the relationship of these two trajectories. For expanding the understanding about elderly poverty and depression, the study measured the longitudinal patterns of various transition in these two variables. The data for the study is 1st to 9th waves (2006-2014) of Korea Welfare Panel Study (KoWePS), and 4,431 older adults were used for the final analysis. For data analysis, Semi-parametric group-based modeling and Dual trajectory model were selected. The main results of this study were followings; First, The trajectory groups were identified: non-poverty, decrease poverty, increase poverty, remain high-poverty, chronic poverty groups and 4 trajectories of depression: stable, remain low-depression, risk of depression, chronic depression groups. Second, the study was tried to anticipate the longitudinal transition of poverty and depression status, and investigate the concurrent relationship in these two variables. It turned out that the stable poverty status led the stable depression, and vice versa. Based on these result, this study for elderly welfare were discussed to reduce risk for poverty and depression.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.191-201
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• 2010

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the predictors of physical activity between urban and rural dwelling Korean older adults. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional descriptive survey. A self-report questionnaire or face to face interviews were used to collect data from 336 older adults (urban: 129, rural: 207) who visited public health centers or welfare centers in 2008. Results: About half of the participants (urban: 50.4%, rural: 47.3%) were classified as the minimally active group. Cognitive function (odds ratio [OR]=1.106, p=.004) and loneliness (OR=0.965, p=.044) were predicting factors for physical activity in rural elderly. Age (OR=0.326, p=.037), gender (OR=2.841, p=.021) and depression (OR= 0.799, p<.001) were significant factors predicting physical activity in urban elders. Conclusion: These findings provide information that is relevant in designing interventions to enhance physical activity in older adults. There is a need to develop effective mutifaceted physical activity interventions that include reducing psychological barriers such as depression, loneliness.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.523-535
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was to investigate the socio-demographic and health factors affecting on the health related quality of life (HRQoL) in elderly by gender. Methods: Data of the study were derived from the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V-2, 2011). The subjects were older adults aged 65 years or more (673 male and 925 female) and the number of the sample was 1,598. The authors analyzed the data with the SPSS/WIN 21.0 program. Results: For male, the affecting factors on the HRQoL were education level, monthly income, and number of chronic disease. For female, affecting factors on the HRQoL were depression, stress, and age. The activity limitation and subjective health showed statistically significant relationship with the HRQoL for both male and female. Conclusion: Health care providers should consider the gender difference when they plan to design program for the improvement of HRQoL for elderly in community.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.205-212
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• 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study is to confirm the exercise effect when combining wearable exercise assist robot, Bot fit's resist mode (Samsung Electronics) and stair climbing. Design: Cross-section study Methods: Targeting 53 adults and seniors, foot pressure and muscle activity were measured when climbing 3-story stairs using foot pressure measurement equipment (W-insole Science System) and surface muscle activity measurement equipment (sEMG; FreeEMG, BTS Bioengineering, Italy) using Bot Fit's resist mode. All subjects were measured without wearing Bot Fit, and the data between the two conditions were compared and analyzed. Results: The front area(p<0.01) and middle area(p<0.05) foot pressures of adults significantly increased when wearing the Bot fit. Frontal area foot pressure significantly increased in elderly people with knee arthritis and obesity(p<0.05). The gastrocnemius activity in all subjects significantly decreased after wearing Bot Fit(p<0.01). In elderly people with knee arthritis, the muscle activity of the rectus femoris was significantly reduced(p<0.05)., and in obese elderly people, the muscle activity of the gastrocnemius muscle was significantly reduced(p<0.05). Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, it is possible to induce correct stair climbing posture when climbing stairs using Bot fit resistance mode. In particular, it is expected to be an effective exercise for strengthening muscle endurance by increasing the activity of the rectus femoris muscle.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.646-656
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• 2003

Purpose: The Purpose of this study was to investigate how elders in rural communities maintain their sexual life. Methods: Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 20 participants who were 65 years old or older, and either were married couples or were continuing the sexual relationship though widowed. Data were analyzed based on Strauss and Corbin's (1990) Grounded Theory Methodology. Results: The core category of experiences of the elderly's sexual life was identified with 'changeable sexual life at husband's mercy'. This process could be divided into 3 stages, which were the stage of recognition of sex difference and obstacle in sexual life, the stage of observation of partner's attitude and the stage of husband's lead in sexual life. Conclusions: This study found that sexuality was an important aspect for the elderly although their sexual interests and activities declined along with aging. In addition, the husband's sexual and economic capabilities and sexual difference were very important factors in the elderly's sexual life. It is suggested to consider sexuality as a normal aspect of life for the elderly when nurses plan for their care.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.75-86
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine the factors affecting quality of life among elderly people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in a community. The design of this study was an exploratory survey. The subjects were 268 adults aged over 65 years with DM in a community. The data were collected from July to October, 2011 and analyzed by descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression by using SPSS/WIN 20.0 program. The quality of life was positively associated with self care behavior (r=.226, p<.001), self-efficacy (r=.323, p<.001), and social support (r=.345, p<.001). However, quality of life had moderately negative correlation with depression (r=-.445, p<.001). Among the variables, depression, social support, and self-efficacy were explanatory factors accounting for 23.9% of quality of life. These findings suggest that depression and self-efficacy are important factors affecting quality of life in the elderly with DM and it can be improved by strengthening social support.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.393-402
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe the risk of dysphagia among older adults in senior centers and to find the relationships between the risk of dysphagia and dysphagia-specific quality of life. Methods: The participants were 260 community-dwelling older adults, aged 65 years in two senior centers. Data were collected by self-report questionnaires or face to face interviews. The instruments were the modified dysphagia risk assessment scale for elderly and dysphagia-specific quality of life questionnaire. The data were analyzed using t-test, $x^2$-test, logistic regression, and pearson's correlation. Results: 162 older adults (62.3%) were classified as having the risk of dysphagia. Severe dry mouth (OR=15.677, CI=2.986~82.297), neurologic disease (OR=10.125, CI=1.092~93.899), gastritis (OR=5.731, CI=1.482~22.173), denture discomfort (OR=2.969, CI=1.016~8.677), teeth discomfort (OR=2.61, CI=1.311~5.196) were the significant factors predicting the risk of dysphagia. There is a significant correlation between the risk of dysphagia and dysphagia-specific quality of life. Conclusion: Dysphagia could be a major health problem among community dwelling older adults. It can affect the dysphagia-specific quality of life. Older adults having severe dry mouth, neurologic disease, or gastritis should receive dysphagia risk assessment and proper management on a regular basis. An effective nursing intervention needs to be developed for the older adults with risk factors of dysphagia.

• Journal of the Korean Society for information Management
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.199-214
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• 2021

This study was conducted with the aim of identifying the current state and improvements of the public library services for older adult in Korea. According to the online survey of public libraries in urban areas across the country, a total of 172 libraries responded. Research shows that public libraries generally recognize the importance of elderly users, but there are limitations in active efforts. The priority area for library collection and space/facilities was to be strengthened by the expansion of large type and voice books/periodical books, as well as the need to ask librarians for help to find books in high bookshelves. In the case of library services/programs, the areas that need to be strengthened first were analyzed as social participation programs and humanities programs. The librarians in charge of information services expressed their opinions that more specialized services and programs should be planned and subdivided for the elderly generation in order to provide older adults' services unique to other older adults' service institutions.