• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.128-148
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• 2023

Dementia is an umbrella term that describes the loss of thinking, memory, attention, logical reasoning, and other mental abilities to the extent that it interferes with the activities of daily living. More than 50 million individuals worldwide live with dementia, which is expected to increase to 131 million by 2050. Recent research has shown that poor oral health increases the risk of dementia, while oral health declines with cognitive decline. In this narrative review, the literature was based on the "hypothesis" that dementia and oral health have a close relationship, and appropriate oral health and occlusal rehabilitation treatment can improve the quality of life of patients with dementia and prevent progression. We conducted a literature search in PubMed and Google Scholar databases, using the search terms "dementia," "major neurocognitive disorder," "dentition," "occlusion," "tooth loss," "dental prosthesis," "dental implant," and "occlusal rehabilitation" in the title field over the past 30 years. A total of 131 studies that scientifically addressed dementia, oral health, and/or oral rehabilitation were included. In a meta-analysis, the random effect model demonstrated significant tooth loss increasing the dementia risk 3.64-fold (pooled odds ratio=3.64, 95% confidence interval [2.50~5.32], P-value=0.0348). Tooth loss can be an important indicator of cognitive function decline. As the number of missing teeth increases, the risk of dementia increases. Loss of teeth can lead to a decrease in the ascending information to the brain and reduced masticatory ability, cerebral blood flow, and psychological atrophy. Oral microbiome dysbiosis and migration of key bacterial species to the brain can also cause dementia. Additionally, inflammation in the oral cavity affects the inflammatory response of the brain and the complete body. Conversely, proper oral hygiene management, the placement of dental implants or prostheses to replace lost teeth, and the restoration of masticatory function can inhibit symptom progression in patients with dementia. Therefore, improving oral health can prevent dementia progression and improve the quality of life of patients.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.482-492
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was a qualitative research study in which focus group interviews were used to collect data on the meaning of respite for family caregivers who are taking care of elders with dementia. Methods: The focus group interviews and participants consisted of 2 family caregiver groups, for a total of 8 people taking care of their elders and 5 professional caregivers working in a geriatrics hospital or social welfare institutions. Content analysis was used and debriefing notes were referred in order to analyze the data. Results: The meaning of respite in this research was measured using 4 main categories: 'Temporary break from routine', 'direct help', 'psychological comfort', 'valuables which cannot be taken easily' and 9 subcategories: 'Temporary diversion of attention', 'temporarily free from my duty', 'taking care of oneself', 'receiving economic help', 'empathize with others', 'comfort based on trust', 'resting together with the elder', 'no time to rest', 'cannot get out of one's obligatory duty'. Conclusion: The findings of the study show that rest means not only a temporary relief from caretaking, but also a real respite based on the patients' stable state and comfort. These results indicate a new meaning for respite, that the first step of respite program has to begin even when the caregivers do not recognize the need for respite.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.8 no.9
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• pp.191-197
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• 2017

This study was undertaken to identify the level of the awareness and attitudes toward dementia in Korean adults. The data were collected from January 23 to April 30, 2016, with 95 adults visit to Senior Experience Complex located in Seongnam city in Korea, using self-reported questionnaires. The descriptive statistical data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient by SPSS 18.0. In this study, the mean scores of the level of the awareness and attitudes of dementia in Korean adults were showed over the neutral range, $12.97{\pm}1.55$, $4.13{\pm}0.48$ respectively. A significant differences between general characteristics and attitudes of dementia in Korean adults were shown in the level of a lived with grandparents, having the family history of dementia. It showed a significant positive relationship between the awareness and attitudes of dementia (r=0.773, p<.001). The findings of this study are to be a baseline data to develop the empowerment public program related in dementia.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.113-128
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• 2001

middle and upper class families, and examine obstacles to their introduction in Korea. Since a few large-scale facilities for the elderly with dementia have been provided for only low-income families free of charge, the necessity of group homes for middle and upper class families willing to pay for such services has become an issue recently in order to lessen the burden on families, as well as to promote the well-being of the dementia victims themselves. The survey was conducted by questionnaires collected from 577 respondents from middle and upper class families. The results of the survey were as follows: The merits of the group homes were 1)decreasing loneliness of the elderly, 2)providing active and stimulating environments allowing for participation everyday life activities, and 3)lessening the emotional and physical burden on the caring families. Potential obstacles to its introduction in Korea were 1)the difficulty of finding sites to build the group home because of the negative perception of people with disabilities and a NIMBY(Not In My Back Yard) reaction to the construction of it and 2)the economic burden on the caring family. Surprisingly, the guilt factor associated with sending the parents into group homes was not considered as a big obstacle. Referring to results of this study, it is asserted that group homes for the elderly with dementia would be embraced throughout the country if Koreans could have the chance to understand what group homes are.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.39-55
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• 2001

Concerns about paid-facilities for the elderly with dementia from middle and upper class families have been discussed lately in Korea. Small-scale, home-like group homes for the elderly with dementia were developed in Sweden in the 1980, but they have not been effectively introduced in Korea where they remain a comparatively new concept. The group home, however, would provide a good alternative to Koreans who feel guilty when they have to leave their frail parents in large-scale facilities or hospitals instead of caring for them at home. The aim of this paper is, first, to define the care of the demented elderly who come from upper and middle class families in Korea and, secondly, to discuss the need for group homes to help care for them. A survey was done by questionnaire and was answered by 577 respondents who belonged to middle and upper class families living in Korea in December 2000. Methods of analysis were frequency, mean, and Chi-square. The results of this study were as follows: 1) the traditional notion that the eldest son should be burdened with the primary responsibility for a demented parent has weakened remarkably; 2) a small-scale long-term care facility was considered the most desirable living environment for the demented elderly; 3) the facilities families needed for professional hospitals for victims of dementia, senior citizen centers, large and small-scale long-term care facilities, day-care centers, and short-stay and service housing. The study also revealed that there was low awareness of the group home. The most preferred type of structure for group homes was a single-family detached house, and the most preferred management system was small-scale that could create home-like atmosphere. Additionally the respondents wanted group homes to consist of 6-8 residents with 2-4 persons per room. The results of this study strongly suggest that policy makers should encourage the development of smallscale group homes as an alternative form of housing for the elderly with dementia.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.351-361
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• 2003

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to understand the types of coping strategies that family caregivers experience during the process of caring demented elderly: to grasp the coping strategies used for resolving this problem: and to develop a substantive theory by analyzing the coping types of the family caregivers of demented elderly. Method: The methodology of data collection and analysis used in this study was grounded theory proposed by Strauss and Corbin (1990). The data was collected through in-depth interviews with participants using open-ended and descriptive questions about their coping experiences. All data were were audio-taped and transcribed. The data were collected from February, 2000 to February, 2001. The participants of this study were 17 women. Results: Caregiver's coping types varied according to 'family's support', 'the condition of caregiver's health', 'the relationship with dementia elderly', 'family perception of dementia', 'fixed idea of traditional female role' and 'economic state'. In this study, five types of coping strategies were emerged: active role allotment tyle, meaning grant tyle, devotion tyle, duty defense type, and pessimism type. Among these, those who belong to the types of active role allotment, meaning grant, and devotion, including caregiver's good health were found to adapt themselves to caregiver roles. Conclusion: The results of this study may be helpful for developing effective and individualized nursing strategies suitable for individual caregivers coping types. It is suggested to practice nursing mediation and to analyze the changes in nursing effect and family members' adaptation based on coping types of the well-adapted caregivers as we as on their affirmative coping strategy.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.285-293
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was designed to examine the relationship between perceived entrapment to depression and subjective well-being of women as family caregivers caring for elderly dementia patients. Methods: One hundred and sixty-nine women family caregivers were recruited from two high schools located in Seoul, Korea for this descriptive study. The instruments used were The Entrapment Scale, The Center for Epidemiology Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and Subjective well-being scale. Results: The score of perceived entrapment significantly correlated with depression and subjective well-being. The significant predictor of depression in women caregivers was perceived entrapment, 50.3% of the variance in depression. Also, perceived entrapment was predictor of subjective well-being in women caregivers, explaining 41.4% of the variance in depression. Conclusion: This study showed that perceived entrapment is an important predictor for depression and subjective well-being. Therefore, in order to reduce depression in women caregivers, it is necessary to design an intervention program that helps with coping and reduces perceived entrapment.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.357-363
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• 2022

South Korea faces elderly care crisis with both low fertility rate and rapid ageing rate. Long-term care insurance in 2008 has taken care burden from family to nation. However, few options, lack of tailored services, and unstable community care plan caused blankness of care in some areas. Especially, increasing dementia rate has become an emergent social issue. Welfare technology could be a useful alternative to fill out the gap between demand and supply. Using FGI method on two groups(high-risk dementia group and MCI group), intimacy, accessibility and preventive way of dementia with welfare technology are analysed in this paper. Despites of a few differences of dementia progress, interests towards technology are expressed. More suggestions using TV and normal telephone to improve daily independence are presented as well. Amongst MCI group, help-service for technology-use at ADS and linkage ways of in-home services are also suggested.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.24-34
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• 2007

Purpose: The objective of this study was to define the predictors of health related quality of life(HRQoL) of women caregivers of the demented elderly patients. Methods: The subjects of this study were 140 pairs of patients with dementia and their caregivers. The characteristics of dementia patients and caregivers, Barthel index and SF-36 were measured in this study. T-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression were used for data analysis. Results: The health related quality of life(HRQoL) score of women caregivers was $288.35{\pm}66.10$ for norm based scoring. HRQoL of women caregivers was correlated with patients' ADL, severity of dementia, caregivers' age, burden, and family support. The major factors that affected the physical components of women caregivers of patients with dementia was the age of the caregiver, burden, and ADL which explained 36.0% of HRQoL. The main predictors of women caregivers' emotional state was the caregiver's burden. Conclusion: Patients' support systems must be implemented to improve the physical HRQoL of caregivers. A caregivers' burden relief program needs to be prepared to increase their emotional HRQoL and further studies and efforts will be needed to evaluate those effects.

• Journal of Society of Occupational Therapy for the Aged and Dementia
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.57-65
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• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this study was to compare the demographic characteristics, health and quality of life between general adults and adults living with dementia. Method : The data were collected using raw data of the 2016 community health survey and compared between 2,592 adults living with dementia patients and 225,840 general adults. health were assessed for sleep time, stress level, depression, and subjective health status, and quality of life was measured by EQ-5D. Result : In comparison of demographic characteristics, age and family number of adults living with dementia patients were significantly higher than general adults (p<.001), income and eduation levels were low (p<.001), and marital status was higher rate of living with spouse (p<.05). In comparison of health status, adults living with dementia patients were significantly longer in sleep time than the general adults (p<.001), and stress level was higher (p<.001), the percentage of experience of depression was higher (p<.001), and the subjective health status was worse (p<.001). Adults living with dementia patients were significantly lower in quality of life total score and all sub-domain than general adults (p<.001). Conclusion : Based on the results of this study, it is necessary to seek ways to improve the health and quality of life of dementia patients' families.