• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.811-827
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to explore the factors related to depression of female elderly living alone by region. Data for this study was based on the 2011 National Survey on Elderly. Total of 1,684(689 rural elderly, 995 urban) community samples of female elderly living alone participated in this study. Even though there was no difference of depression score by region, this study found that the effects of factors on depression were significantly different by region. Yearly income, subjective health, balanced exchange of emotional support and satisfaction with their children were significantly associated with depression of both rural and urban female elderly living alone. For rural female elderly living alone, average daily television viewing time, number of close friends and frequency of contact with friends/neighbors were significant predictors to their depression. In the case of urban female elderly living alone, exercise, frequency of message, email or telephone contact with friends/ neighbors and balanced exchange of economic support contributed significantly to the prediction of depression. Subjective health had the strongest effect on depression for both rural and urban female elderly living alone.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.417-431
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• 2007

This study investigates the differences among residental areas in the health, standard of living, and social relationships of female elderly living alone. The total of 501 subjects(185 from rural areas, 159 from fishing communities, 77 from the islands, and 80 from urban areas) were questioned from May to July, 2006. The research area was confined to Chungcheong Province. The female elderly living alone of this study were an average of seventy-three years old, had a low cost of living, and received little formal school education. Over sixty percent(60.3) of them lived on less than thirty dollars a month which was the recognized Korean poverty level in 2006. The female elderly living alone were evaluated as being in good health, but they themselves perceived their health as being poor. Observed by residential areas, the subjects in urban areas were lower in ADL, and both the urban dwellers and the islanders appeared to be higher in their satisfaction with medical services as compared to those in rural areas and fishing communities. The fishing villagers showed the lowest standard of living for female elderly living alone. The analysis of social relationships as seen in the different residental areas revealed that the female elderly living alone g in urban areas tended to be receiving social supports rather than providing for others, and subjects living in fishing areas and the islands proved to be relatively higher in the exchange of social supports. In relation to offspring, the female elderly living alone in urban areas had a lower frequency of meeting with their children and also a lesser degree of intimacy with them because they lived at a distance. On the other hand, subjects living in rural areas and fishing communities had a higher frequency of meeting with their children and a greater degree of intimacy with them even if they lived at a distance. The study also showed that the female elderly living alone in the islands had a higher frequency of once meeting per three week with their offspring and a higher degree of intimacy with them because they all live in the same islands. In conclusion, the subject living in urban areas appeared to be isolated from their offspring as compared to the other seniors in the study. The female elderly living alone in urban areas suffered from an insufficient network of relatives and neighbors, and they experienced a poor quality of relationships to their offspring. Almost all of the lone seniors in the study had a low score in social activities; however, the female elderly living alone in urban areas revealed a higher level of participation in volunteer activities, group activities, and educational activities. Nevertheless, the lone seniors living in urban areas were not satisfied with their participation in social activities. The subjects living in rural in fishing communities and the islands showed more participation in money-making activities. This study suggests that the policies for female elderly living alone should reflect the differences of regional characteristics.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.65-78
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• 2002

This study was conducted to identify the social support to living alone elderly in some rural communities and the level of life satisfaction. For the purpose of this study, face-to-face interviews and questionnaire were performed with 315 old people(male 43 and female 272) aged over 65 living alone in rural communities covered by 14 community health posts within Gyeongsangbuk-do Province randomly selected. The followings are summaries of findings; The average score of support from their children was $4.29{\pm}2.73$ out of 8. Variables that showed a significant difference were religion, level of living, type of medical insurance, frequency of meeting with children, time taken from houses of children by usual means of transportation, and subjective health status. It was found that the score of support from children was high for the elderly who had a religion, a good level of living, benefit from medical insurance, a high frequency of meeting with children, or a good subjective health status, or who resided close to their children's houses. The level of the support from friends and relatives showed a significant difference depending on the subjective health status, of which the average score was $4.13{\pm}2.61$ out of 8. The average score of the level of life satisfaction was $6.83{\pm}4.24$(male $7.60{\pm}4.09$ and female $6.71{\pm}4.26$) out of 17. Male elderly showed the higher level of life satisfaction than female elderly. Variables that showed a statistically significant difference in the level of life satisfaction were religion, level of living, medical insurance, hobby, children, disease, subjective health status, and ADL. That is, the level of satisfaction with life was found to be higher for the elderly who had a religion, a good level of living, benefit from medical insurance, a hobby, children, no diseases, or a good ADL, or who thought that they are healthy. The regression analysis with support from children as a dependent variable showed that the level of support from children was higher for the elderly who had a good level of living, frequency of meeting with children, or a good subjective health status. The regression analysis with the level of support from friends or relatives was higher for old people who had a good level of living. The regression analysis with the level of life satisfaction as a dependent variable showed that the factors which related to the level of satisfaction were sex, religion, level of living, hobby, ADL, and subjective health status. That is, it was found that for male elderly who had a religion, a good level of living or a hobby, or who thought that they were healthy, the level of life satisfaction was higher.

• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.233-259
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to find out about how are physical health, economical states and social relationships of women elderly living alone in an island. The measurement variables are subjective health status, satisfaction of life and a feeling of depression through Activities of Daily Life, social supports, social network and social relationship. First, the ADLs of the aged women living alone in the island are that can't do themselves 23.4%, and need to other's help on their walking 23.4%, bathing 6.5%, and going out 10.3%. Second, them answered that is very shortage or shortage with living expenses 46.8%. Average income in a month is under 200thousands won are account for 32% in a rural and 32.4% in an urban but the aged women living alone in an island are account for 35.1%. comparing with that they are living under the absolute poor with a small income less than 300thousands won. Third, social relationships of the aged women living alone in the island are living with an offspring in a same region 50.6%, a neighboring village 11.7%, and living with a relation in same region. At this study differs from other studies are about studying to be compared aged people between rural and urban area. This study is researched comprehensively about more fragility people.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.97-104
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• 2017

Background: South Korea is one of fastest aging countries in the world. Poor balance and falls of the elderly are main health issues. Objects: The goal of this study was to understand the association between the socioeconomical factors and the standing balance of elderly living in the rural and urban area. Methods: One hundred sixty-six elderly participants who were older than 65 and were able to walk without an assistive device were recruited in the city of Gwangju and in the rural area of Jeonnam, South Korea. All participants performed the static and dynamic standing balance tests. Static standing balance was measured with chronometer in seconds while standing on one leg. Dynamic balance was tested with the timed up and go test (TUG), measured in seconds while getting up from a chair and walking 3 meters and back to sit. The static and dynamic standing balance was analyzed using analysis of variance and the Fisher's Least Significant Difference post hoc test. Results: Male participants from both areas had no difference in one leg standing and TUG. The female elderly living in rural area took shorter in TUG than females living in urban area. Age decreased the one leg standing time in both areas while did not affect the TUG significantly. As the monthly income increased, both of one leg standing and TUG increased in urban area, while the medium monthly income showed best performance (it was not statistically significant) in both of one leg standing and TUG in rural area. Conclusion: Socioeconomical factors affects differently the standing balance of the elderly living in rural and urban South Korea. Female living alone in urban area with low monthly income demonstrated worst standing balance in this study.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.123-139
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to search how to promote health and improve nutrition and health care of the elderly people in rural area. Behaviors for health promotion and habits against health risk were surveyed. Dietary management was analyzed for surveyed nutrient intake by 24 hr -recall method. 242 subjects were collected in 12 cities or counties in Gyeonggi Province and 20 elderly people (10 male and 10 female) were selected out of 1 village in each district. Questionnaire for health behavior and dietary management was carried out by trained interviewers. Statistical analyses were made by SAS (version 8.1) and Chi-square tests and General Linear Models were used. Characteristics of the elderly people were 61-74 year-olds (68.2%), elementary school educated (78.4%), with spouse (51.7%), monthly living cost of 500-1,000 thousand won(43.4%), and monthly pocket money of 50-100 or 100-200 thousand won(33.5%, 26.5%). 41.4% of the subjects checked up medical examination regularly. The alcohol drinking status was significantly different according to gender: high no-drink rate of female (52.5%) and low no-drink rate of male (25.6%). Kinds of disease were different according to gender: higher proportion of cardiovascular disease(46.3%) and diabetes mellitus(8.1 %) in male and joint lumbago neuralgia(44.4%) and osteoporosis(8.6%) in female. Gastrointestinal complaints were nausea (69.0%) and chronic indigestion (17.8%). Constipation (12.0%) and vomiting (4.3%) were more frequent in female. Dietary management was good (3 meals per day: 93.4%., dining with family: 72.4%, regular mealtime: 72.4%, and 3-4 times of snacks per week: 44.9%) except side dish taking of 3-4 kinds only. However, almost one-third of the female elderly ate alone (30.6%) which was well compared with one-fifth of the male (19.7%). And food and nutrients intake were not significantly different according to gender except that male elderly's intake of energy and protein was lower than that of female's. The surveyed subjects had no difficulties in Activities of Daily Living (ADL), but some female elderly had some difficulties with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) like working at home, using transport, and going shopping. These results suggest that low quality of life linked with low economic status of the rural elderly and that congregate meal at village hall would be required for the female elderly eating alone. For the undernourished male elderly, it would be needed to provide snacks and to establish nutrition and health surveillance system.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2010

Objective : This study aimed to investigate and compare the prevalence of depression and suicidality among the elderly in a rural city according to their residence type. Methods : Participants were 311 elderly people (109 male and 202 female) in Icheon City, whom trained researchers interviewed and examined Geriatric Depression Scale, Social Support Scale, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, Activities of Daily Living, Quality of Life Scale, and Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), module C. Using these data, we analyzed participants' risk factors associated with depression and suicidality. Results : The prevalence of depression was 28.0%. The prevalence in the elderly living alone and those admitted to residential facilities was significantly higher than that among the elderly living with family. Suicidality frequency was 19.6%. The suicidality frequency among the elderly living alone and those admitted to facilities was significantly higher than that among the elderly living with family. The risk factors for depression were age, admission to a facility, and low economic status. The suicidality risk factors were living alone, admission to a facility, poor social support, and a history of headache. Conclusion : These results showed the prevalence of depression and frequency of suicidality among the elderly in such a city was quite high. The results of this study remind psychiatrists of the importance of early detection and therapeutic intervention for the elderly with a high risk of depression and suicidality.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.71-80
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• 2017

Korea is facing various social problems including single elderly household, increase in the number of disabled people and poverty rate and a difference in the proportion of males to females between urban areas and rural areas along with the advent of rapid aging society. Especially, the ratio of poor households in rural areas residing in housing which falls below the minimum housing level and most of them are in the dead zone of housing welfare. In addition, if it is impossible for them to move (relocate) to new housing, the house remodeling is the only measure for improving their housing welfare. However, we don't have enough prior relevant academic and practical experience, and house remodeling requires a series of process including prior planning construction and post-occupancy evaluation, but almost no fundamental research that provides relevant insight has been carried out. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to describe all field situations that occur in the whole customized house remodeling process for disabled female senior citizens living alone in a rural area. The remodeling process was classified into initial planning stage, field verification and adjustment stage and construction stage as the method to participate in the field directly, and any change in the remodeling plan and its causes at each stage were analyzed. As a result, some remodeling items were changed from the main viewpoint of participating parties before the beginning of construction and for reasons such as the deterioration level of housing site, limitation in building equipment and rearrangement of housing, etc., and the remodeling method and its details were developed. It was identified that constant change that occurred in the remodeling process resulted from 1) unique poor characteristics of existing housing and 2) physical condition of residents and their unique lifestyle characteristics that were two aspects required to be emphasized by customized remodeling.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.773-788
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in nutrient intake according to the level of self-perception of health status, aging status and life satisfaction of the rural elderly. The factors for the study were surveyed by interview method. The subjects were 270 people(71 male, 129 female) aged over 65 years(73.5 $\pm$ 5.6ys) in the Ham-an area. The obtained results as follows : By evaluation of self-perception of health status, 57.5% of subjects answered they are in a bad health condition. The 91.5% of subjects had diseases(rheumatitis & arthritis 31.4%, cardiovascular disease 20.2%, gastric disease 10.2%). The women had more diseases than the men(p < 0.01). The subjects took medical treatment in private hospital(40.5%) and public health centers(35.0%). The men showed better level of aging status(p < 0.001) and life satisfaction index(p < 0.01) than the worsen. Living with spouse influenced the aging status(p < 0.05) and the more pocket money influenced life satisfaction(p < 0.05) and aging status(p < 0.05). The elderly who eat regularly 3 times a day(p < 0.05) and have a good appetite(p < 0.001) appeared to have positive effect on the self perception of health status and aging status. An increasing level of the self-perception of health status and regular exercise worked to improve aging status(p < 0.001). The habits of smoking and alcohol drinking, however had no effect on any index. The self-perception of health status affected the nutrient intake, but only in female elderly. The aging status and the life satisfaction index related overall positively to the intake of nutrients. In conclusion, the study shows that gender did influence nutrient intake in the elderly. The women who live alone rated lowest in social resources and health condition therefore their nutrient intake was also extremely in deficit. For successful aging, a program for rural elderly is needed, i.e. actions to provide minimum economic life, food delivery and psychological/physical health care through regional public health centers.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.527-541
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• 2001

This study was conducted to provide basic information on the nutritional status and health status of the rural elderly. The food intake, food habits and others health related factors were surveryed by interview method. The subjects was 200 people(71 male, 129 female) aged over 65 year in the Han-an area. The obtained results as follows; Their average age is 73.5$\pm$5.6. Mean height and weight of elderly men were 163 cm and 58.1 kg. respectively and 148.7 cm and 50.0 kg for women. The regularity appetite and frequency of eating snacks and eating out were higher in men than in women. The favorite snacks for men were alcohol fruit coffee and for women was fruit, candy, cookies and coffee. The daily alcohol drinking and smoking ration were 50.0%, 60.6% for men, respectively and 14.0%, 24.8 % for women. The nutritional intake ratio to RDA of men was significantly higher than women. Especially, the intakes of energy, Ca, Vit.A, Vit B$_1$, Vit B$_2$ niacin were extremely low in women. The frequency of alcohol intake was related to nutrient intake of women . There was a negative correlation between age. smoking rate and the nutritional intake. The pocket money, weight height appetite, and frequency of snacks showed a positive relation to nutritional intake. In conclusion the study shows that gender did influence food intake in the elderly, Food intake of women was extremely in deficit, because the most elderly rural women live alone. For successful aging. a program for rural elderly is needed on the govermment level, i.e actions to provide minimum economic life, food delivery and psychological/ physical health care through regional pubilc health centers.