• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2024

Purpose: This study investigated hand-washing practice among community-dwelling older adults during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and aimed to identify the impact of COVID-19-related concerns and depression on hand-washing practice. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of data extracted from the 2020 Community Health Survey. The primary data were collected through self-reporting from August 10 to September 8, 2020 in a cross-sectional study. The subjects comprised of 1,350 adults aged 65 or older living in Jeju Province who participated in the 2020 Community Health Survey. Results: The factors affecting hand-washing practice among older adults were male older adults (β = -.18, p < .001), age (β = -.07, p = .001), no education (β = -.20, p < .001) and elementary, middle, and high school graduation (β = -.15, p < .001) compared to a college or higher education, poor health perception (β = -.13, p < .001), COVID-19-related concerns (β = .08, p = .005), and depression (β = -.07, p = .001). To summarize, the factors negatively affecting hand-washing practice included male gender, lower education level, poor health perception, and depression. In contrast, factors positively associated with hand-washing practice included COVID-19-related concerns. Conclusion: These findings show the importance of considering these multifaceted determinants when designing targeted interventions and educational programs to promote hand-washing among older adults. Additionally, based on the relationship between hand-washing practice and COVID-19-related concerns and depression, interventions that can alleviate mental problems along with providing proper education are required.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.101-124
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• 2012

This study examined the longitudinal changes of self-perceptions of own aging among middle-aged and elderly adults, using the latent growth modeling with the three waves of the "Aging and the Quality of Life of the Elderly in Korea", which sampled adults aged over 45 living in Seoul and Chuncheon. The dependent variable is attitudes toward own aging, the sub-scale of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale developed by Lawton (1975). The results showed that the research participants' attitudes of their own aging deteriorated over time. In addition, the lower initial status of the research participants' attitudes of their own aging was associated with being older, being non-married, living in rural areas, attaining the lower level of education, having the fewer social activities, reporting the worse subjective economic status, and reporting the worse subjective health status. The slope of the research participants' attitudes of their own aging differed by the residence areas, educational attainments, subjective economic status and subjective health status. In particular, the difference of the initial status by educational attainments grew over time. Social welfare policy and practice implications are discussed for middle-aged and elderly adults to improve attitudes toward their own aging.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2007

Sleep disordered breathing is highly prevalent in the elderly and affects older men and women similarly. Nocturia, cardiovascular diseases, cognitive impairment, traffic accidents and repeated falls are common manifestations of sleep apnea in the elderly and sleep study may be indicated in these patients. When a sleep study is planned, reliable markers of respiratory efforts and a tibial EMG should be included because central sleep apneas and periodic leg movements are common in the elderly patients. Although cardiovascular morbidity and mortality seem to be lower in the elderly than in middle-aged adults, these may not be as low as commonly believed. Excessive daytime sleepiness, cognitive dysfunction and nocturia can be improved by effective treatment with continuous positive airway pressure and a therapeutic trial should be recommended to all symptomatic patients. It is still unclear whether sleep apnea in older adults is a specific entity or the same disease as in younger adults. Further clinical research is warranted.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.37-46
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• 2016

Objectives: This study examines the awareness of hypertension and its age-specific characteristics among Korean adults. Methods: Data were derived from the fourth Korean National Health Examination and Nutrition Survey (KNHANES IV, 2007-2009) of 14,637 subjects aged 30 and older. Self-reported prevalence of hypertension (HTN) was compared with measured arterial systolic/diastolic blood pressure, employing Kappa index, sensitivity, and specificity. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors in hypertension awareness by age groups. Results: Kappa agreement between self-reported and measured data in hypertension was high (0.70, 95% CI 0.68-0.71). Awareness by sensitivity was relatively high (65.3%) and specificity was very high (98.8%) for all ages. After age stratification, the results revealed the very lowest level of hypertension awareness among the youngest age group: 29.1% of adults aged 30-49 years, 57.5% of adults aged 45-59 years, and 76.9% of those aged ${\geq}60years$. Predictors for awareness differed by age group. Among adults aged 30-49 years, men exhibited lower awareness to HTN than women. Among middle-aged adults, workers showed lower awareness than non-workers. Among those aged ${\geq}60years$, men and the less educated showed lower awareness to HTN than their counterparts. Conclusions: Age-specific prevention strategies are needed for hypertension management.

• 한국노년학
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.415-430
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• 2017

This study aims to examine whether assets matter for depression among older adults and whether the relationship between assets and depression is mediated by social activities. The research questions are based on asset effect theory, stakeholder theory, and activity theory. This study used the 5th wave of KLoSA data which is a nationally representative data in Korea. Research findings are summarized as follows: First, we found the negative relationship between assets and depression of older adults. Second, The relationship between assets and depression was partially mediated by social activities of older adults. The findings suggest that older adults with assets are more likely to participate in social activities and accordingly their depression is likely to decline. Based on the empirical findings, we can propose that asset-building programs targeting older adults should be developed and that the financial education and saving chances should be given to middle-aged adults who need to prepare old age in the long-term perspective.

• 한국노년학
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.195-209
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• 2011

This study examined the prevalence of and factors associated with unmet care need among community-dwelling middle-aged and older people in Korea. Data were from the 2006 Korean Longitudinal Study on Ageing (KLoSA), a national survey of 10,254 non-institutionalized adults aged 45 or older. Having unmet care needs was defined as needing personal assistance with activities of daily living (ADL) or instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) but having no available helper. Weighted logistic regressions were fitted to examine factors associated with unmet care needs. Overall, 7.3%, 14.5%, and 41.8% of subjects among the middle-aged, younger old, and older old, respectively, reported care needs of these, 34%, 33%,and 24% had unmet needs. Factors associated with unmet needs differed among the three groups: Education and income level were negatively associated with unmet needs among the middle-aged, but living alone was the only factor positively associated with unmet needs in both the younger and older old. The prevalence of and factors associated with unmet care needs differ by life-stage. Needed are home- and community-based care and services to meet the need for personal assistance among the elderly living alone in a community.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2005

Objectives: Much attention has been paid to sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) in the elderly because of its high prevalence. It is expected that SAS in the elderly has both similarities and differences compared to SAS in the young or middle-aged populations. The aim of this study was to elucidate the characteristics and consequences of SAS in the elderly. Methods: In this study we included 210 young or middle-aged adults between 23 and 59 years (20 women and 190 men) and 65 older adults between 60 and 83 years of age (16 women and 49 men). Respiratory disturbance indices (RDIs) of the study subjects were more than 5 in an overnight polysomnography. They completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Informations about body mass index (BMI), neck, waist, and hip measurements, and blood pressure were obtained. Results: No difference was observed between older adults with SAS (older SAS) and adults aged under 60 with SAS (SAS aged under 60) in RDI, apnea index, % time of oxygen saturation less than 90%, and PSQI. Obstructive apnea index and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) were lower in older SAS. Compared to SAS aged under 60, lowest oxygen saturation and central apnea index were higher in older SAS, but they were statistically not significant. BMI and neck circumference were significantly lower in older SAS compared to SAS aged under 60. Diastolic blood pressure was lower in older SAS compared to SAS aged under 60 with no difference in systolic blood pressure. Older SAS showed lower scores in ESS than SAS aged under 60. Significant correlation was observed between RDI and BMI in SAS aged under 60, but not in the case of older SAS. The relationships between RDI and neck circumference, systolic and diastolic pressure, and ESS were similar. Conclusions: The elderly with SAS were not over-weight and there was no relationship between body weight and the severity of SAS. Also, the behavioral and cardiovascular effects of SAS were not marked in the elderly, which might be partly explained by decreased ODI and relatively higher lowest oxygen saturation in older SAS. The normal aging process, aside from increased body weight, might contribute to the development of SAS in the elderly with modest complications.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.594-603
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of health promotion program on healthy aging preparation for late middle aged women. Methods: The research design was a non-equivalent control group quasi-experimental study. Participants were recruited from K and Y cities in Gyeong-nam Province from October, 2013 to January, 2014. They were 26 for the experimental group and 31 for the control group. The experimental group participated in a health promotion program for healthy aging preparation. The program consisted of education, exercise, and small group discussion over 8 weeks. Data were analyzed by Chi-square, t-test and ANCOVA, using the PASW 18.0 program. Results: There were significant improvements in aging anxiety and general self-efficacy, health promoting behaviors in the experimental group compared to those of the control group. However, there was no significant differences in attitude toward older adults between the two groups. Conclusion: The health promotion program on healthy aging preparation for late middle aged women was found to be effective in enhancing aging anxiety and self-efficacy, and health promoting behavior. Thus, the developed program is recommended for use in clinical practice as an effective nursing intervention for late middle aged women in order to keep up with their health in later life.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.110-119
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• 2001

This study was designed to assess the needs for nutrition education and educational materials for older adults. Two cross-sectional surreys were conducted. The first survey, conducted by personal interviews, was part of the large-scale elderly nutrition study. Subjects were adults aged 50 and over, recruited from 6 large cities and 8 middle-sized cities(n = 1,850). The second survey, done by mail survey using open-ended questions, was conducted with dietitians working at public health centers or hospitals(n = 53). Adults aged 50 and over were interested in topics such as healthly eating(32.1%), hypertension/stroke and diet(22.1%), osteoporosis and diet(11.4%), and diabetes and diet(9.2%). Television and radio(58.2%), health professionals(12.2%) and friends(7.9%) were common sources of nutrition information. Preferred topics of nutrition education and sources of nutrition information were different by general characteristics of subjects, suggesting that nutrition education or educational materials be planned considering the characteristics of subjects. About 70% of subjects indicated that they sometimes use or do not use nutrition information in daily lives, suggesting the need to provide more practical information. Among 53 facilities responding to the second survey, 73.6% provided nutrition education for older adults. Common topics for nutrition education included diabetes(39.3%), hypertension and stroke(19.1%) and general nutritional management(11.2％). These were consistent to the topics preferred by older adults. As materials In elderly education, dietitians wanted primarily to use leaflets and slides. Boards, booklets and posters were other commonly cited materials. For contents of elderly educational materials, dietitians mentioned the nutritional management for age-related diseases(33.8%), general nutritional management for older adults(25.4%) and practically applicable information(19.7%). They also suggested that nutrition education materials for the elderly should use larger print and attractive pictures, and be easily understood, as well as presenting simple, specific and practical information. These results provide baseline information for developing nutrition education and educational materials for older adults.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.342-351
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine an increase in the number of younger and middle-aged people who have a stroke and the differences in their recovery experience compared with older people. Methods: The research question for this study was "What is the recovery experience of young adults and middle-aged people who suffer a stroke?". In order to answer the question, the grounded theory method was utilized. The data was collected through individual in-depth interviews of six participants, their age ranged from 36 to 45 years old. Results: After comparative analysis, the core category was "standing up for oneself with limit". The experience process were categorized into four stages: 'Facing Reality stage', 'Motivation stage', 'Desire Recovery stage', 'Self-Overcoming stage'. Conclusion: Most of the research for the recovery process was prognostic in nature and the results. This study was demonstrated certain indicators which can be useful in further research.