• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.1393-1404
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• 2021

The current study was conducted to understand the status of infection management through a survey on the status of awareness and performance of infection management and to improve efficient infection management and education programs of workers in long-term care institutions. The subjects of the study were 134 workers at 35 long-term care institutions in the C region, and data were collected from July 12 to 30, 2021. They agree to participate in research self reported structured questionnaire by SPSS program ver. 22.0. As a result of the study, the subject's awareness of infection management appeared to be a difference in accordance with occupation (F=3.181, p=.032) and education experience (F=6.372, p=.013). Also, factors influencing the subject's performance of infection management were occupation (F=3.972, p=.010) and education experience (F=4.403, p=.038). The relationship between awareness of infection management and performance resilience fined out a significantly positive correlation (r=.919, p<.001). As a result, for patient safety in long-term care institutions in the COVID-19 pandemic situation, it is very important for workers not only to recognize the importance of infection management but also to directly perform infection management activities. To this end, regardless of the size of the institution, it is necessary to prepare a systematic and continuous curriculum by occupation and educational topic, and to legally strengthen the evaluation system to improve the quality of the infection management system.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.142-153
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• 2023

Background: Cognitive impairment has been reported to be closely associated with poor oral health, and the relationship is bidirectional, as older adults with poor oral health and chewing function are at a higher risk of cognitive decline (CD). This cross-sectional study aimed to determine whether masticatory discomfort in Korean elderly increases the risk of daily living difficulty (DLD) related to CD and whether there is a difference in risk according to gender and age. Methods: The data used were obtained from the Korean Community Health Survey (2019). The final analysis included 22,154 people aged 65 years and older who completed the survey and responded to all items on the variables used in the study. Chi-square test, trend test, and complex sample logistic regression were performed for statistical analysis, to clarify the purpose of this study. Results: As masticatory discomfort increased, the elderly's DLD tended to increase (p-for trend, p<0.001). For logistic regression, adjusting for all covariates, participants who reported masticatory discomfort as "discomfort" (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=2.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.11~3.50) and "severe discomfort" (AOR=2.95, 95% CI=2.49~3.50) had a more than a two-fold increased risk of CD-related DLD compared to participants who reported "no discomfort at all." In age-stratified analyses, elderly men aged 75~84 years and elderly women aged 65~74 years had the highest risk of developing CD-related DLD. Conclusion: Oral care interventions to improve masticatory function in older adults may slow CD and improve CD-related DLD. We hope that this study will raise awareness among caregivers and clinical professionals regarding the importance of oral care for older adults with CD.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.67-75
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• 2019

Background: Dementia is a condition in which a person who has been living a normal life suffers from various cognitive impairments in memory, words, and judgment that considerably disrupt daily life. The oral care ability and subjective oral status of elderly individuals with dementia are lower than those of a healthy person. The oral health care of individuals admitted to nursing homes inevitably falls to nursing assistants and nursing care staff. This study aimed to investigate the need for oral health management items of and to provide basic direction for the future of the Dementia National Responsibility System. Methods: Elders aged 65 years and over were selected from a comprehensive welfare center. A total of 155 questionnaires were analyzed. The questionnaire consisted of 15 items about general status, 9 items about recognition of the Dementia National Responsibility System, 5 items of the subjective recognition of oral health, and 6 items of the correlation between oral health and dementia. Results: Among our subjects, 71.0% answered that they did not know about the Dementia National Responsibility System, 78.7% answered that they think they need the system, and 81.9% think that they should add dental health items to the Dementia National Responsibility System. The response to the need for dementia national responsibility, oral health items in the Dementia National Responsibility System, and oral specialists all showed scores of >4 points. The need for the Dementia National Responsibility System, oral health items, and specialists were found. Conclusion: It is necessary to include oral health care items in the Dementia National Responsibility System so that elderly individuals with dementia can receive the needed oral health care.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.218-226
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• 2019

In old age, measures to cope with the natural phenomenon of aging and various diseases of the elderly due to the deterioration of physical function are also a challenge for this society. While interest in systematic health is increasing, it is true that awareness and interest in oral-related diseases is relatively lacking. This study aims to present basic data necessary to improve the quality of life for senior citizens aged 65 or older by improving the oral dryness caused by systemic health. By research method, improve oral dryness caused by whole-body health with the elderly over 65 and promote their oral health, inducing the increase of the salivary flow rate through oral health care education, oral exercise, and salivary gland massage. First, on the DMSQ according to the general characteristics of the elderly, the recognition of the whole body and oral health status, independent sample t-test and One-way ANOVA were conducted. Second, on changes in the salivary flow rate and saliva pH according to the general characteristics of the elderly, recognition of oral and whole-body health status, and whole-body health, paired samples t-test was conducted. Studies have shown that salivary gland flow increased significantly after oral exercise and salivary gland massage, the salivary flow rate significantly increased. In all variables of the recognition of the oral health status, the salivary flow rate increased after oral exercise and salivary gland massage, and in the whole-body health, regardless of hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and osteoporosis, the salivary flow rate increased after oral exercise and salivary gland massage, and the salivary flow rate increased after oral exercise and salivary gland massage if the subjects responded that they did not have thyroid abnormality, anemia, abnormalities of breathing, hypotension, gastrointestinal disturbance, or kidney diseases. As a comprehensive analysis of this study, many felt oral dryness when they had a problem with the whole-body health, and many felt oral dryness when they had a problem with oral health cognition. After applying oral exercise and salivary gland massage as intervention methods in the oral health care for the elderly, the salivary flow rate significantly increased, and it is judged that the methods were very effective for controlling oral dryness. Furthermore, it is judged that the factors affecting oral health, whole-body health, and oral dryness would be identified, which would be helpful for the promotion of whole-body health and oral health. It is judged that continuous research would be needed so that measures for the application of the oral care program and system for the elderly would be prepared in the future.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.565-574
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• 2018

Previous studies have shown that forest therapy program can help prevent dementia. However, few studies have focused on low-income elderly people living alone. The current study examined the meanings that the elderly living alone receiving medical care assigned to the urban forest therapy program, as a way to understand the pathways that nature-based intervention affect preventing dementia. Twenty-one participants were recruited and they participated in a five-week urban forest therapy program. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 21 participants who experienced the urban forest therapy program, and analyzed qualitative data using thematic analysis. Results showed that all themes identified were related to connectedness with oneself, neighbors and nature. Awarenesses of change were consisted of positive and negative themes. The themes of positive awareness were improvements of mental and emotional condition, feelings of isolation and loneliness, and health-related lifestyle. The negative themes were terminations of short-term programs and inconvenient access to the urban forest. Based on these data, we suggest an urban green welfare framework for future research and interventions for preventing dementia of underprivileged elderly group.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.8 no.11
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• pp.193-201
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to be identified the perception toward long-term care insurance system among seniors in health and welfare colleges. The questionnaire was distributed to 207 students in a local area. Data were analyzed by SPSS 22.0ver. The subjects' interest and knowledge level an long-term care insurance system was low, but the attitude was positive. Knowledge levels and attitudes related to lang - term care insurance system were found to differ according to elderly institutional service experience. In conclusion, it will be necessary to develop curriculum and active program of volunteer activities to improve the awareness and interest of lang-term care insurance system in health and welfare colleges.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.273-283
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• 2020

This study was attempted to provide basic data for developing future clinical competency enhancement of long-term care hospital nurses. Data were collected from 166 long-term care hospital nurses in G-do. Analysis was done using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and Multiple regression with IBM SPSS WIN/21.0. The subjects' clinical competency was positively correlated to death awareness (r=.28, p<.001). The most influential factor on the subjects' clinical competency was death awereness (β=.235, p=.002), followed by marital status 'married' (β=-.214, p=.004), and have choice in days off 'agree' (β=.235, p=.002). The explanatory power was 16.2% (F=10.528, p<.001). Therefore, educational programs raising awareness of death, consideration of fellow nurses to have days off when desired, and encouraging married nurses to work are needed to enhance the clinical competency of long-term care hospital nurses. Utilizing the results of this study as basic data for clinical competency enhancement and in working schedule adjustment of long-term care hospital nurses is expected.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.283-287
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• 2012

Objective: To explore the participation rates for breast and colorectal cancer screening and identify associated correlates among elderly women. Methods: Logistic regressions were conducted using data collected in 2006 from 1,533 elderly women aged 60 years or above who had completed a screening instrument, the Minimum Data Set-Home Care, while applying for long-term care services at the first time in Hong Kong. Results: The participation rates for breast and colorectal cancer screening among frail older Chinese women were 3.7% and 10.8% respectively. Cognitive status was inversely associated with the likelihood of participation in screening (breast: OR = 0.66, 95%CI = 0.47-0.94; colon: OR = 0.81, 95%CI = 0.66-0.99), as was educational level with the likelihood of participation in breast cancer screening (no formal education: OR = 0.20, 95%CI = 0.06-0.61, some primary education: OR = 0.31, 95%CI = 0.10-1.00). Conclusion: The delivery of cancer preventive health services to frail older women is less than ideal. Cognitive status and educational level were important factors in cancer screening behaviour. Tailor-made strategic promotion programmes targeting older women with low cognitive status and educational levels are needed to enhance awareness and acceptance within this vulnerable group.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.144-153
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to find out the relationship between health concern, knowledge of cardio-cerebrovascular disease, and health-promoting behaviors among the elderly in the community. Method: The subjects of the study were 142 senior citizens aged 65 years or older in Cheongju-si, Chungcheong-do. Data were collected using structured questionnaires that included questions on the general characteristics, health concerns, knowledge of cardio-cerebrovascular disease, and health-promoting behaviors. The collected data were analyzed by the statistical program SPSS 20.0. The frequencies, percentages, averages, and standard deviations of the collected data were analyzed using a t-test, ANOVA, Mann Whitney U test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient, basing on the purpose of the study. The Scheffe test was carried out as a posteriori test. Result: The elderly were found to have a high health concern, but their knowledge of cardio-cerebrovascular disease was low, and their health-promoting behaviors were above the intermediate level. There was a significant positive correlation between each variable, which means that the higher the health concern was, the more knowledge an individual had of cardio-cerebrovascular disease, and the more health-promoting behaviors one had. Conclusion: This suggests that the elderly in the community should be encouraged to engage in the actions that promote their health by raising their level of health concern and awareness of diseases through health education, basing on their individual characteristics.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.267-274
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• 2021

Background: Although the orofacial-function improvement exercise (OFIE; oral exercise) was first introduced in Korea 10 years prior, it is still not covered by medical insurance, and no detailed survey on the dissemination of related programs has been conducted. Therefore, this study investigated the actual status of the education and practice of OFIE among the elderly and at elderly welfare institutions in the Seoul and Gyeonggi Provinces. Methods: Senior citizens aged more than 65 years old, public health centers (total of 69) and elderly welfare institutions (including nursing homes and elderly welfare centers, total of 56) per administrative area in the Seoul and Gyeonggi Provinces were targeted. We analyzed 200 elderly people and 93 institutions who agreed to participate in the survey. For the elderly, general characteristics, experience and route, current practice, and necessity regarding OFIE were investigated. For institutions, the history and plan of education programs on OFIE were investigated. Results: Regardless of the general characteristics, both the rate of experience and practice for OFIE were low overall; moreover, although they felt it was necessary, they had insufficient motivation for its implementation. Moreover, only a few institutions which were operating the education about OFIE regardless of the COVID-19 situation. Conclusion: Although OFIE is necessary for the elderly, its distribution remains insufficient. Therefore, further efforts are needed to expand the education and raise the awareness of oral exercise among elderly individuals and senior welfare institutions.