Purpose: Given the rapid aging of the population in Korea, many studies have emphasized the community efforts to slow down or prevent frailty of older adults who are living alone. However factors that affect frailty among older adults living alone remain unclear. This study aimed to identify the factors affecting frailty among community-dwelling older adults living alone. Methods: This secondary data analysis used data of 126 older adults who are living alone. Levels of frailty, depression, social activity and social support were self-reported and physical function (Timed up and go test results and handgrip strength) were measured. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and multiple linear regressions. Results: The overall mean score for frailty was 5.13 out of 20. Age, timed up and go test results, and social support were found to be statistically significantly associated with the frailty of older adults living alone. Conclusions: Identification of significant physical and social factors affecting frailty among older adults living alone is beneficial for developing community-based healthcare. The development of community-based multi-component intervention or facilitating home-visit nursing care should be considered to slow down frailty and promote good health.

Purpose: This study aims to identify the differences in health behavior and depression before and during the COVID-19 pandemic for the aged in low-income homes in the community and to identify the factors that affect changes in depression. Methods: Participants were conveniently sampled 300 of 3,481 elderly people aged 65 or older registered as subjects of visiting health care services at a public health center in D-Gu, D City. The Linear Mixed Model was used to identify factors that affect the change in depression before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: In the comparison between the pre-pandemic and the pandemic, there was an increase in the number of people experiencing falling, mild depression, and severe depression, Compared to the male elderly, the degree of experience of depression before and during the COVID-19 pandemic increased significantly in the aged women, as the age increased, the subjective health was poor, and when there was a falling experience. It was confirmed that the factor influencing the change in depression before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were age, subjective health, and falling experience. Conclusion: Considering the age, subjective health, and falling experience, which are the influencing factors of depression change, when visiting health care services are limited to the aged in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to prioritize those with high age, poor subjective health, and those with falling experience.