Factors influencing on the Quality of Life in Older Adults after Total Knee Replacement: The Relevance to Pain, Range of Motion, Depression, Social Support and Sense of Coherence

PURPOSE: This study is to grasp factors influencing the quality of life in older adults after total knee replacement. METHODS: This study was conducted with 165 older adults who had TKR at four orthopedic hospitals in D city. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, independent t-test, Pearson's correlation, and stepwise multiple linear regression with SPSS 19.0 software. RESULTS: Pain and depression were negatively correlated with range of motion, social support, while sense of coherence was positively correlated with quality of life. Sense of coherence (43%, β=.40), pain (8%, β=−.30), and depression (3%, β=−.20) on the Physical Component Summary in the quality of life have significant explanatory power of 54%. Sense of coherence (49%, β=.44), social support (6%, β=.25), and depression (3%, β=−.22) on the Mental Component Summary in the quality of life have significant explanatory power of 58%. CONCLUSION: This study suggests developing a program to improve the quality of life in older adults who had TKR, considering factors such as sense of coherence.

The Relationship among Subjective Health Status, Wisdom, and Self-care Agency in Korean Older Adults

PURPOSE: This study identified the relationships among subjective health status, wisdom, and self-care agency of Korean older adults. METHODS: The participants were 274 older adults from Daegu, aged over 65 years. Data were collected by visiting two social welfare centers, two senior welfare centers, and nine senior centers in Daegu from January 18 to February 5, 2013. Data were analyzed through one-way ANOVA, independent t-test, Pearson's correlation, and stepwise multiple linear regression using the IBM SPSS/WIN 19.0 statistical program. RESULTS: A significant positive correlation was found among older adults' subjective health status, wisdom, and self-care agency. Self-care agency was affected by wisdom (47%, beta=.55), the physical component summary (18%, beta=.31) and mental component summary (1%, beta=.12) of subjective health status, and the absence of disease (2%, beta=.13). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that nursing interventions to promote self-care agency in older adults should be developed based on the characteristics of their subjective health status and wisdom.

Factors Affecting Highly Educated Elders' Diabetic Health Leader Attitude

PURPOSE: This study was done to identify the relationships among diabetic health leader attitude, diabetic knowledge, and health conservation in highly educated elders. METHODS: The participants were 119 elders aged 65 or more who were attending the senior welfare centers in D and K City and had at least a high school degree. Data were collected from June 10 to July 7 in 2013. Data analysis included one-way ANOVA, independent t-test, Pearson's correlation, and stepwise multiple regression, done with the SPSS/WIN 19.0 program. RESULTS: A positive correlation was found among diabetic health leader attitude, diabetic knowledge, and health conservation. Health conservation explained 26% (beta=.31) and diabetic knowledge explained 2% (beta=.18) of the variance in diabetic health leader attitude. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that to increase diabetic health leader attitude among highly educated elders, health leader programs are needed for increasing their diabetic knowledge and health conservation.