• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.286-298
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• 2006

The study aimed to identify major factors related to global self-rated health of the community-dwelling elderly people in rural areas. Interviews were conducted with 433 persons over 65 years of age. The socio-economic characteristics, chronic disease status, measures of functional and mental health, life satisfaction, health-related behaviors including smoking, drinking, exercise, social activity, dietary habit, and food intakes were analyzed to determine their influence on self-rated health index. Data on food intake were obtained through the 24-hour recall method. The self-rated health of rural elderly was poor or very poor as reported by 42.6% and 52.4% of the men and women, respectively. Poor self-rated health was found to be related to elderly aged $65{\sim}74$, female, absence of work, more chronic diseases, dependence on Instrumental Activity Daily Living (IADL), higher mental unhealthy days, lower current life satisfaction, less social activity, lower dietary habit scores, lower intake of total food, fruit, eggs, fishes & shell fishes, vitamin C (%RDA), and Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR). The results of the multiple regression analysis showed that poor self-rated health index is significantly associated with more chronic diseases, mental unhealthy days, gastrointestinal disease, musculoskeletal disease, less social activity, and lower intake of fruits. The results also suggested that improving the nutritional status and functional ability, and reducing the burden of chronic diseases are beneficial to the self-rated health index of the elderly.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.57-69
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• 2003

This study focused on individual differences in social support among older adults. The purposes of this study were to investigate sex and age group differences in social support and to examine the effects of intergenerational social support on life satisfaction among the rural elderly. Data were from 545 elderly over 60 years of age living separately from adult children in the rural area. With regard to sex differences in support exchanges, no significant differences were found in support-giving and support-receiving. Men reported giving more financial support to children than women, while women reported receiving more financial support from children than men. With regard to age group differences in support exchanges, there was less support-giving in older age group. Older parents in their 60s reported giving more financial, instrumental, and emotional support and receiving less financial support than the group of age 70＋ Regression analyses showed that life satisfaction of both men and women was affected by support size and the frequency of contact with children. Giving financial and instrumental support was significantly associated with life satisfaction of men, but giving and receiving each type of social support had no effects on life satisfaction of women. Life satisfaction of parents in their 60s was found to be positively associated with support size, giving financial support and receiving emotional support, and negatively associated with giving instrumental support. In the group of age 70＋, the frequency of contact with adult children and giving financial support had positive influences on life satisfaction.

• Korean Journal of Rural Living Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.55-65
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• 1998

The purpose of this study is to suggest the basic data which can be used as comfortable dwelling circumstance to keep a life as self-reliant and secure as possible for their activity daily life in the elderly housing. In the results of this study we can be found that the elderly complain many difficult when they do their activity daily life in the interior housing space. See the aspect of space, improvement of architectural arrangements like stairs, lighting arrangements, bathroom, kitchen are required and in the characteristic of elderly, we can found the effect of health condition, education in activity daily life.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.49-60
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• 2023

Objectives: To explore the impacts of home-based integrative Korean medicine program, on pain, quality of life (QOL), and satisfaction among elderly female residents with mobility impairment in rural areas during the period from August 2021 to November 2022. Methods: Five participants with mobility impairment in rural area were selected from Health Department of Public Health Center. We conducted an investigation into the variations in NRS (Numerical Rating Scale) scores, changes in quality of life (QOL), and levels of satisfaction resulting from a combination of acupuncture, counseling, and the provision of medical supplies. Results: Participants reported improvements in Overall pain and Quality of life. Satisfaction levels reported high. Conclusions: Home-based integrative Korean medicine program showed possibility of improvements for the elderly women with mobility impairment in rural areas in terms of pain, quality of life. In pursuit of improved management, it is advisable to contemplate the adoption of a fresh treatment approach.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.31-53
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• 2008

This study intends to verify the poverty characteristics of the rural elderly households so as to provide more specific data for the intervention of social welfare in the improvement of quality of life of the rural elderly. According to my study of the absolute poverty ratio, the poverty gap, the relative poverty ratio, the subjective poverty ratio, the subjective economic level and the life satisfaction level of the rural elderly households in comparison with those of the other groups, the conclusion is as follows: First, the total living cost of the rural elderly households is rather low with the food cost taking about 30% of the total living cost. Second, in terms of the poverty ratio based on socio-demographic characteristics, higher poverty ratio show among women, older people and households of fewer members. Third, 82.2% of the rural elderly households living with an income below the minimum living cost is found around the poverty line. Fourth, the rural elderly households show a comparatively higher poverty ratio than the other groups in the absolute and relative poverty, but lower economic strain than other groups in the subjective poverty ratio and life satisfaction level. In short, the rural elderly households' poverty level is generally high and therefore need ways of active economic supports, while a political approach to the subjective needs of the regional and intergenerational groups is also required.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.551-563
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to investigate the incidence and associated factors of suicidal ideation among the elderly according to residence area. Methods: This cross-sectional study used secondary data from the 2011 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V-2). A representative sample of 1,464 men and women aged 65 and over was selected. Rao-scott $X^2$-test, multiple logistic regression models based on sampling scheme of the data were used. Results: Of the 1,464 respondents, 22.4% had experienced suicidal ideation during the past year. Higher incidence of suicidal ideation was observed in rural seniors (23.7%) than in urban seniors (21.1%). The incidence of suicidal ideation showed correlation with age, education level, depression, stress, lying in a sick bed, and current smoking status among elderly living in urban areas. However, among elderly living in rural areas, the incidence of suicidal ideation showed correlation with household income, depression, stress, and daily activity. Conclusion: Based on the results, nurses should manage effective and individualized nursing interventions for elders in planning suicide prevention programs with consideration for residence areas, because there were differences in the factors affecting suicidal ideation among elders according to residence area.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.213-221
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• 2004

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the health status, and disease distribution in the elderly according to their Sasang constitutions. Methods: A total of 196 elderly in Sungjugun Kyungsangbukdo were interviewed for this study. Data were collected from 1 July, 2002 to 31 July, 2002. Results: The distribution of constitutions of the subjects were So-yang 30.4%, So-eum 12.6%, Tae-eum 57.0% in elderly men, and So-yang 32.5%, So-eum 16.2%, Tae-yang 8.6%, Tae-eum 42.7% in elderly women. Especially, there are Tae-yang 8.6% in elderly women. Conclusions: Subjective health status according to Sasang constitutions, less of Tae-yang elderly reported that their health status was not well but more of these individual reported that their health status was good compared with other groups. On the other hand, more of So-eum elderly reported that their health status was not well but less of these individual reported that their health status was good compared with other groups.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.115-123
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• 2019

Objective: This study was conducted to examine the effects of a health promotion program on the health condition of rural elderly women implemented at primary health care posts using Korean Frailty Index. Methods: The research was designed a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest setting. The participants in this study were 50 residents (intervention group: 25, control group: 25) selected from 4 villages 2 primary health care posts in J city Gyeongsangnam-do. The health promotion program was conducted at the primary health care posts twice a week for 12 weeks. This program consisted of basic exercises(Gukseondo + Theraband muscle strength training) and additional activities(including modified Theraband activity, rubber ball exercise, ball massage, nutrition class, singing class). Collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA with SPSS 21.0. Results: Results of the health promotion program showed that the health conditions(measured by perceived health status, frailty score, upper/lower flexibility, maximum grip strength, dynamic balance test Timed Up and Go) of the experimental group(25) all statistical significantly improved. Conclusion: Study findings indicate that the health promotion program implemented at primary health care posts on rural elderly women is effective and can contribute to a developed health promotion program for local residents in the future.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.825-837
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• 2004

Studies on the health problems of the elderly have been increased with increasing life expectancy of Koreans. To assess the health status of people over 50 years old including the elderly (678 free-living people: men (168), women (510)), anthropometric measurements and biochemical nutritional status were analyzed. General characteristics and the prevalences of specific diseases were also examined. The mean anthropometric values for males and females were heights of 162 cm and 149 cm, respectively; and weights of 59 kg and 52 kg, respectively, which were much lower than the Korean standards established in the Korean Recommended Dietary Allowances. The mean BMI, WHR (waist hip ratio), and body fat rate (%), which are obesity indices, were significantly higher in females than in males. As the age went up, height, weight, lean body mass, and mid-arm circumference decreased. Whereas, blood pressure (SBP) for women increased. Mean blood HDL-cholesterol levels of men and women were 46.0 mg/dl and 46.3 mg/dl, respectively; their triglyceride levels were 129.1 mg/d1 and 135.6 mg/dl, respectively, which were not significantly different. Total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels were significantly higher in females than in males. For man there were significantly different in ${\gamma}$-GTP, Na levels by age. As the age went up for women, RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, HDL-cholesterol, ${\gamma}$-GTP and $Ca^{2+}$ levels significantly decreased. Levels of total protein and albumin were above the lower normal limit for the majority of the participants. Prevalence of anemia, assessed by hemoglobin using World Health Organization (WHO) definition, was 43.9% for men and 42.1% for women. Also, many of the subjects were out of the normal range in total cholesterol (women), HDL-cholesterol, TAS (total antioxidant status), APase, RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit levels. Therefore, measures to improve the biochemical nutritional status for the people in rural area are required.d.

• Journal of the Korean society of biological therapies in psychiatry
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.184-193
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• 2018

Objectives : This study investigated the effects of social support and chronic medical conditions on depressive symptoms in elderly people living alone in a rural community. Methods : Sociodemographic information on 173 subjects aged 65 years or older who lived alone in a rural community and were recipients of National Basic Livelihood Security was collected and analyzed. All participants completed the Korean Form of the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Lubben Social Network Scale. Additionally, the current prevalence of chronic medical conditions that interfere with the activities of daily living was examined. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the associations of social support and chronic medical conditions with depressive symptoms. Results : Social support(odds ratio: OR, 0.96; 95% confidence interval: 95% CI, 0.92-0.99) and chronic medical conditions(OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.23-2.05) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms in all subjects. When analyzed by gender, social support served as a protective factor against depressive symptoms in elderly men only(OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.83-0.99), and chronic medical conditions increased the risk of depressive symptoms in elderly women only(OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.26-2.40). Furthermore, osteoarthritis and lumbar pain were risk factors for depressive symptoms in all subjects(OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.10-4.56 and OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.08-4.12) and in elderly women(OR, 4.07; 95% CI, 1.68-9.84 and OR, 3.34; 95% CI, 1.47-7.57), respectively. Conclusion : This study indicates that improving the social support and managing the chronic medical conditions of elderly people living alone are important for the prevention of depression in this population. Additionally, the present results suggest that it is necessary to establish different depression-prevention strategies for elderly men and women living alone.