Factors related to the Health related Quality of Life among Institutionalized Elders / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: This purpose of this study was to identify the factors related to the health related quality of life among institutionalized elders. METHODS: The subjects were 247 elders institutionalized among one of the four nursing homes in Busan. Data were collected through interview with four standardized questionnaires from August to October, 2008. Questionnaires were related to health related quality of life (SmithKline Beecham's Quality of Life scale, SBQoL), quality of sleep(Pittsburgh Sleep Quality index, PSQI), activity of daily living (Katz ADL Index), and depression (Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form Korea, GDSSF-K). Data were analyzed for descriptive analysis, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression by using SPSS/WIN 17.0 program. RESULTS: The mean HRQoL in the subjects was 6.62 +/- 0.91. Percentage of the respondents reporting sleep disorders were 72.5% and 27.1% reported being vulnerable to depression. The significant predictors of the HRQoL were sleep quality, activity of daily living (ADL), level of education, and depression. The factors accounted for 28.8% of variance in the health related quality of life of institutionalized elders. CONCLUSION: Sleep quality, activity of daily living, and depression need to be considered as the important control factors for improving the health related quality of life in the institutionalized elders.

Comparison of Health Conservation for Elders in Assisted Living Facilities and Nursing Homes / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate and compare health conservation and its related factors of elders in assisted living facilities or nursing homes. METHOD: Data for health conservation was collected from 316 elders in 10 institutions in Daegu city and Kyungpook province from February 1st to February 22nd, 2005. Data was collected by a structured questionnaire that included general characteristics, general health status, health conservation, functional health status (ADL, IADL) and depression (GDS-K) scales. The collected data was analyzed by the SPSS (version 11.5) program including descriptive statistics, t-test, -test, Pearson's correlation and stepwise method regression analysis. RESULT: The elders in assisted living facilities revealed lower scores in health conservation, ADL and IADL than the elders in nursing homes. Predictable variables influencing health conservation of the elders in assisted living facilities were depression and MAC (Mid-Arm Circumference) that is equal to .270, and the the elders in nursing home were depression, IADL, degree of sleep, and TSF (Triceps Skin Fold) that is equal to .409. CONCLUSION: The development of a health conservation program and long-term health care service system for elders in assisted living facilities are needed than for the elders in nursing homes.

Depressão, um sofrimento sem fronteira: representações sociais entre crianças e idosos / Depression, a misery without border: social representations between children and elderly

Este estudo empírico, de cunho quali/quantitativo, desenvolveu-se em escolas públicas e grupos de convivência para idosos, na cidade de João Pessoa/PB. Participaram da amostra 32 crianças e 31 idosos. Foram utilizados os instrumentos: Beck Depression Inventory, Inventory Children Depression, Entrevistas Semi-Estruturadas e a Técnica de Associação Livre de Palavras. Os dados coletados pelas entrevistas foram codificados pela Análise de Conteúdo e os obtidos por meio da técnica de associação livre de palavras foram processados através do Tri-Deux-Mots. Os resultados apontam convergências e divergências quanto às concepções, causas e tratamentos da depressão. Observou-se que as representações dos atores sociais possuem como elementos figurativos a tristeza e a morte, oriundos de situações traumáticas, carências existenciais, isolamento social e sentimentos de rejeição. Percebe-se que ambos os grupos apreendem suas representações não apenas pelo conhecimento teórico e comunicação informal, mas também pelo conjunto de problemas imediatos que se defrontam na vida cotidiana.

Characterized as a qualitative and quantitative investigation, this empirical study was developed in two public schools and three social institutions for the elderly, in the city of João Pessoa/PB. The sample was a group of 32 children and 31 elders. The instruments used were Beck Depression Inventory, Children Depression Inventory, semi-structured interviews and the Technique of Free Association of Words. The data collected in the interviews were codified using a content analysis, and the answers analyzed with the Technique of Free Association of Words were processed through the software Tri-Deux-Mots. The results pointed out convergences and divergences about the conceptions, causes and treatments of depression. It was observed that the social actors representations possess as figurative elements the sadness and death, derived from traumatic situations, needs, social isolation and feelings of rejection. Also both the children and the elders not only apprehend their representations from the theoretical knowledge and informal communication, but also from the set of immediate problems they confront in the daily life.