• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.57 no.11
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• pp.2131-2137
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• 2008

In this paper, COP (center of pressure) during quiet standing and squat-and-stand movement was analyzed to compare the postural control of young and elderly subjects with special interest in the elderly females who were reported to have higher fall rate than the elderly males. Subjects include the young subjects (10 males: $21.8{\pm}2.6yrs$, 10 females: $20.4{\pm}0.3yrs$) and the elderly subjects (8 males: $75.5{\pm}4yrs$, 8 females: $72.3{\pm}3.5yrs$). Analysis parameters were the mean of the distance between the instantaneous COP and the average COP (COP distance) and the mean of the COP movement velocity (COP velocity) in both AP (anterio-posterior) and ML (media-lateral) directions. During quiet standing, the COP distance in ML direction of elderly females was significantly greater than that of elderly males and the COP velocity of elderly females in both ML and AP direction were significantly greater than those of all the other groups. During squat and stand movement, the COP distance of elderly females was not significantly different with that of the elderly males. However, the COP velocity of elderly females was significantly greater than that of all the other groups. The large lateral weight shift (COP distance) of elderly females during quiet standing may explain their greater fall rate. However, this does not apply to squat-and stand movement. In contrast, COP velocity results show that the elderly females' COP is rapidly trembling compared to that of elderly males during both quiet standing and squat and-stand movement. This results suggest that rapid trembling or postural sway may reflect the reduced postural control ability and the risk of falling.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.1383-1392
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to provide suitable outdoor spaces for Korean elderly, examining characteristics and types of existing outdoor spaces and presenting design guideline of outdoor space for elderly. To do this, this study examined previous research papers and scholastic writings, related to elderly housing, and analyzed twelve cases of elderly housing complex. Additionally evaluation of usage pattern and physical trace carried out on twelve cases. As a result, first, the study showed that outdoor spaces for elderly were classified 5 types; entrance area of housing complex, building entrance area, outdoor living area, in & outdoor neutral area, and parking lots. Outdoor living area is subdivided into residents' public space, green space, health & sports space and landscape space. Characteristics of outdoor space are deeply related to safety, amenity, recognition and efficiency. Second, types of outdoor space in elderly facilities are very limited in verity, just facilitating with rest space, sport space, and garden space. Third, from a standpoint of barrier-free-design, twelve cases are not carefully concerning about outdoor space for elderly.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.51-61
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• 2010

Using data from the 2007 SCF, this study examined the use of information source for investment decisions of elderly consumers. The results indicated that many elderly consumers (about 88%) involved savings /investment decisions. The elderly used 'Experts' (39.48%) as a major information source for their investment decisions, followed by 'Friends' (24.18%). The results of the multinomial logit analysis suggested that the perceived value, the cost for search, knowledge, risk and some of the demographic factors were significantly related to the choice of the information sources for investments by elderly consumers.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.430-442
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• 1997

Due to the lowering of biological functions resulted from old age, the elderly is known to have many different clinical laboratory data compared with the young adults. But, in korea, such study is lacking. This research is to find the differences between the elderly and the young adults, and also to know the sexual differences, by comparing the outcomes of the clinical. laboratory data. Along with that, it is to help clinical usage of the data in the future. The age of the elderly was between 60 and 83(average age 63.8), and that of the young. controls was between 20 and 35. In both sexes, MCV, MCH, ESR, CRP, AST, ALT, ${\gamma}$GTP, ALP, BUN, total cholesterol were significantly higher in the elderly than in the controls. And lymphocyte count(%), total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, total protein, albumin, $T_3$ were significantly lower in the elderly than in the controls(P<0.05). Hemoglobin, Hct, platelet count, $T_4$ were significantly lower only in the male elderly, and eosinophil count(%), creatinine were significantly higher only in the female elderly(P<0.05). HDL cholesterol was significantly higher only in the male elderly(P<0.01). There were no significant difference between two groups regarding WBC count, segment neutrophil count(%), monocyte count(%), TSH. Many clinical laboratory data are different between the elderly and the young adults, and some clinical laboratory data also have sexual differences.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.687-693
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• 2011

Spring-mass models have been widely accepted to explain the basic dynamics of human gait. Researchers found that the leg stiffness increased with gait speed to increase energy efficiency. However, the difference of leg stiffness change with gait speed between the young and the elderly has not been verified yet. In this study, we calculated the lower limb stiffness of the elderly using walking model with an axial spring. Vertical stiffness was defined as the ratio of the vertical force change to the vertical displacement change. Seven young and eight elderly subjects participated to the test. The subjects walked on a 12 meter long, 1 meter wide walkway at four different gait speeds, ranging from their self-selected speed to maximum speed randomly. Kinetic and kinematic data were collected using three force plates and motion capture cameras, respectively. The vertical stiffness of the two groups increased as a function of walking speed. Maximum walking speed of the elderly was slower than that of the young, yet the walking speed correlated well with the optimal stiffness that maximizes propulsion energy in both groups. The results may imply that human may use apparent limb stiffness to optimize energy based on spring-like leg mechanics.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.771-782
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• 2010

Today, the number of elderly drivers who use navigation is increasing with the growing number of elderly drivers. The purpose of this study is to provide guidelines on the interface of car navigation for elderly users. To extract significant factors which were distinguished between young and elderly users, both young and elderly users executed the driving test by installing two car navigation alternatives. The analysis was conducted through t-test. The results show that significantly different factors were the number and the meaning of the menu items in the initial screen, the location and the meaning of the menu icons in the map screen, the ease of search of the menu and the text size in the menu screen. Improvements for the factors of the initial screen and map screen were made with reference to ergonomic guidelines, and suggested through experiments comparing design alternatives for the menu screen. Design alternatives were made through a combination of investigative variables, and the analysis was conducted through ANOVA. The results show that Alternative 7 (the location of the tab was placed at the bottom, menu representation was done with the text font size of 18pt and the location of menu navigation icons was shown at the upper left) was preferred in terms of user's preference and the execution time. So if the suggested menu for elderly users are added to the existing design, both users will satisfy their desires. The guidelines suggested in this study will help the designer of car navigation take elderly users into consideration.

• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2022

This study proposed a multiple regression equation for predicting VO2max of elderly men and women using functional performance variables required to conduct daily activities. The subjects of this study were 58 elderly men (72.4±5.9 yrs) and 117 elderly women (73.4±4.5 yrs) aged 65-90 who belong to the senior welfare center. The maximal graded exercise test using a cycle ergometer and functional performance representing muscle strength, endurance, static and dynamic flexibility, mobility, and agility were measured. For statistical processing, multiple regression analysis was performed, and the statistical significance level was α = .05. As a result, the VO2max estimation formula for the elderly was 0.419 (standing up and sitting down a chair) + 0.199 (leg endurance against wall) + 5.383, and R2=0.406. In addition, the VO2max estimation formula for elderly women is - 0.737 (standing up from a supine position) - 0.144 (waking around two cones in a figure 8) - 0.135 (%body fat) + 0.042 (one leg balance with eyes open) + 29.395, R2=0.367 was calculated. The conclusion is that if the maximal graded exercise test is not available, it is considered that VO2max of the elderly can be predicted properly by using the estimation formula calculated based on the functional performance variable.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.143-156
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• 2008

Purpose: It is important to identify problems in elders' health through health examination as a part of health service for elders and to execute health education so that elders have appropriate abilities to manage and protect themselves. This study was attempted to assess the need of health education in the elderly and to analyze factors affecting the need of health education. Method: The participants in this study were 354 elderly people living independently in the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province of Korea, and a questionnaire survey was conducted through personal interviews from June 25 to July 26, 2007. The methodology was a descriptive study. Data were collected and analyzed using SPSS Win 12.0. Results: As for the contents of education, elders preferred most the area of 'prevention and management of elderly diseases.' Detailed education contents preferred by elders were the prevention of accidents, diet habits, exercise and weight management, mental health and stress management, complementary and alternative therapies, management of drinking and smoking, etc. Conclusion: According to elders' concerns and needs, systemic health education for the elderly should provide right health knowledge, health maintenance, health promotion and setting of appropriate health education.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.552-560
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was designed to identify effects of self-esteem and health status on adaptation of elderly residents in facilities. Methods: The sample consisted of 151 elderly residents. The data collected from January to April 2010 were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression. Using instruments were self-esteem scale (SES) (Rosenberg, 1965), Korean health status measure for the elderly (KoHSME) (Shin et al, 2002), and nursing home adaptation scale (Lee, 2007). Results: The mean scores of self-esteem ($2.90{\pm}0.71$), health status ($2.15{\pm}0.53$) and adaptation ($2.98{\pm}0.44$) of elderly residents in facilities were above the average. Self-esteem was significantly varied according to religion, economic status and living expenses. Health status was significantly different according to age, disease and motivation of getting into the facilities. Adaptation was significantly different according to religion, satisfaction of facilities and decision maker of getting into the facilities. Significant correlations were found between self-esteem, health status and adaptation. Self-esteem and health status were influencing factors of adaptation (22.6%). Conclusion: These findings indicate that perceived self-esteem and health status may be requirements for promoting adaptation of elderly residents in facilities. These results could be utilized in the development of supportive programs for elderly adaptation.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.42-57
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• 2020

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is indicated for various mental disorders (e.g., major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder) and the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in elderly patients. Furthermore, ECT is a useful first-line treatment in emergency and crisis situations such as suicide risk, violent behavior, catatonia, and food refusal, which are more frequent in elderly patients. ECT is also effective in the treatment of the motor symptoms of neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. Due to the high risk of various physical diseases, the comorbid physical conditions of elderly patients should be individually controlled to optimize ECT treatment. Compared to young adults, in elderly patients the seizure threshold is higher, the seizure duration is shorter, and the anesthetic dose is lower. On the contrary, the response rate in the elderly is both faster and higher. Considering potential cognitive decline and the prevention of further deterioration of cognitive function in elderly patients, in the absence of significant comorbidities, twice weekly sessions and right unilateral electrode placement with a lower seizure threshold and less cognitive effect are preferred to bilateral electrode placement, which has a high risk of adverse cognitive effects. After an acute course of ECT, continuation and maintenance of ECT, combined with prescription of therapeutic drugs, may prevent possible relapse or recurrence of mental disorders. In conclusion, ECT can be used to treat mental disorders in elderly adults, with safety and effectiveness comparable to that in young adults.