본 연구는 농촌에 거주하는 여성 노인을 대상으로 농장방문형 치유농업 프로그램의 효과를 확인하고자 실시한 연구이다. 대상자에게 실시된 치유농업 프로그램은 2023년 6월 22일부터 9월 14일까지 주1회, 회당 3시간씩, 총 12회기로 구성되었다. 매 활동시 대상자들이 치유농장에 방문하여 다양한 원예활동과 농장 내 텃밭 정원을 가꾸는 활동을 실시하였다. 참여대상은 평균 연령 75.38세의 여성 노인 8명이었으며, 치유농업 프로그램 참여에 따른 대상자들의 정신건강 변화를 확인하고자 삶의 만족도, 고독감, 사회적지지 평가를 총 4회(사전, 4회차, 8회차, 12회차) 실시하였다. 조사 결과는 IBM SPSS 25 통계 패키지를 이용하여 빈도분석, 기술통계, Friedman 검정을 실시하여 분석하였다. 그 결과 프로그램 진행에 따라 전반적으로 대상자들의 정신건강이 증진된 것으로 확인되었으며, 특히 삶의 만족도와 사회적지지는 통계적으로 유의미한 수준으로 변화된 것을 확인 할 수 있었다.

목적: 본 연구는 농업에 종사하는 노인 여성을 대상으로 신체적 여가활동 참여가 신체적 기능 향상과 삶의 질 변화에 미치는 효과에 대해서 알아보고자 하였다. 연구방법: 농촌 지역에 거주하는 113명의 노인 여성을 대상으로 단일집단 사전-사후 검사 설계를 사용하여 연구를 진행하였다. 스트레칭, 근력 강화 및 마사지 등으로 구성된 신체적 여가활동 프로그램은 8주간 총 16회, 그룹활동으로 진행되었다. 참여 후의 노인의 신체 기능의 변화를 알아보기 위하여 근력, 유연성, 균형능력을 측정하였고, Short Form 8-Item (SF-8)을 사용하여 삶의 질의 변화를 살펴보았다. 결과: 프로그램 참여자들의 신체 기능은 상지 근력(악력), 하지 근력(30초간 앉았다 일어서기), 정적 균형(눈 뜨고 한발 서기), 동적 균형(기능적 도달) 및 유연성(등 뒤로 양손 닿기, 앉아서 윗몸 앞으로 굽히기) 항목에서 모두 유의하게 증가하였다(p < 0.05). 프로그램에 참여한 노인 여성의 건강관련 삶의 질(SF-8) 총점도 335.73 ± 52.93점에서 395.42 ± 28.79점으로 향상되었고, 모든 하위 항목에서 유의하게 변화하였다(p < 0.05). 결론: 여가활동 참여는 노인의 신체 건강뿐만 아니라 삶의 질 향상에도 효과적임을 확인할 수 있었다. 향후에는 농촌 지역 특성에 맞는 다양한 참여형 활동 프로그램의 개발과 지원이 이루어지기를 기대해 본다.

PURPOSES : This study aims to conduct a sensitivity analysis to determine the major factors affecting traffic accidents involving elderly pedestrians. METHODS : In this study, a regression tree model was built based on a non-parametric statistical model using data on traffic accidents involving elderly pedestrians. Using this model, we analyzed the degree of change in the probability of pedestrian fatalities. RESULTS : Results of the model analysis show that the first major factor combination affecting traffic accidents involving elderly pedestrians is speeding, night time, and road markers. The second combination is night time and arterial roads (national and local highways). The last combination that may lead to such accidents is heavy vehicles and federally funded local highways. CONCLUSIONS : Preventive measures, such as speed control, proper lighting, median strips, designation of pedestrian protection zones, and guidance of detours, are necessary to manage high-risk combinations causing accidents of the elderly.

There is little information on the nutrient intake according to the city size and small town in Korean elderly. This study analyzed the nutritional consumption of older people in metropolitan, middle and small cities, and rural areas according to four income levels. The recent data from the 2016~2018 Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were used. The final analysis included 4,325 individuals (Male: 1,856, Female: 2,469) over 65 years old. Multivariable regression with a complex sample design was conducted to compare the nutrient intake among the groups. In a comparison within regions, the nutrition status of the elderly in small towns was more vulnerable than metropolitan and middle & small cities. The energy intakes were similar between the groups. The carbohydrate intake of middle & small cities was significantly higher than the other regions. The intake of other nutrients in metropolitan and middle & small cities appeared to be higher than in rural areas. The number of nutrients with statistical significance between low and high-income levels were 19 in metropolitan, 11 in middle & small cities, and 5 in rural areas. Each contribution of carbohydrate, fat, and protein to the total energy intake was lower in the low-income level than the high-income level in metropolitan and middle & small cities. On the other hand, in rural areas, only the contribution of protein to energy intake was lower in the low-income level than the high-income level. Cities with higher levels of urbanization had more severe nutritional inequality in relation to the income level. There was also nutritional inequality present in rural areas but it was to a lesser extent. Moreover, the generally low level of nutrient intake was problematic in rural areas. These findings could be used as fundamental evidence for developing community nutritional policies for the elderly.

본 연구의 목적은 농촌 노인의 일자리사업 직무만족이 성공적 노화에 미치는 영향을 분석하고, 그 영향 관계에서 사회적자본의 매개효과를 검증하여 농촌 노인의 일자리사업을 발전시키기 위한 실천적 방안 마련과 농촌 노인의 성공적 노화에 도움을 줄 수 있는 실증적 기초자료를 제공함에 있다. 연구의 대상은 홍성군, 횡성군, 인제군에 소재하고 있는 노인일자리사업 수행기관에서 노인일자리사업에 참여하고 있는 노인 496명을 대상으로 설문조사를 실시하였으며, 연구의 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 직무만족은 성공적 노화에 유의한 정(+)의 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 둘째, 직무만족은 사회적 자본에 유의한 정(+)의 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 셋째. 사회적 자본은 성공적 노화에 유의한 정(+)의 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 넷째, 사회적 자본은 직무만족과 성공적 노화 간의 관계에서 매개역할을 하는 것으로 나타났다. 이상의 연구결과에서 농촌노인의 일자리사업 직무만족은 사회적 자본을 매개로 성공적 노화에 영향을 미치는 중요한 변인임을 확인하였다.

The objective of this study was to investigate the health status and nutritional intake of the old population living in Soonchang, Jeollabuk-do, Korea. 69 subjects aged 65 years and older were recruited in July 2016. The WHR, was significantly higher in elderly male group than elderly female group (p<0.05), but both groups had abdominal obesity (0.85 and over). T-score mean of elderly male and female groups were below －2.5 mg/cm3 that they were osteoporotic. In the elderly male group, the higher concentrations of creatinine, homocysteine and uric acid were found to be significantly unfavorable factors (p<0.001, respectively). The blood vitamin D3 levels of elderly male group was significantly higher than that of elderly female group (p<0.05). The physical activity and self-rated health were significantly higher in elderly male group than in elderly female group (p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively). The nutrient intakes of male group were found to be significantly favorable factors than in female group. The score of mini nutrition assessment was significantly lower in elderly female group than in the elderly male group. These results could be useful to plan effective strategies to increase the health-life expectancy and the prevention of disease of Korean elderly people living in rural areas.

The consumption of high-salt foods is an independent risk factor for increased hypertension. Thus, evaluating the relationship of taste sensitivity and pleasantness of high-salt foods such as Korean jang products, would help contribute to an understanding of salty food eating behaviors of the Korean rural elderly. This study aimed to verify the association between taste sensitivity and salinity of Korean jang products, and the preferences of food groups and nutrient intake in the rural elderly. We studied 269 elderly persons (males 83, females 186) aged above 65 years, residing in the rural area, Sunchang gun Jeonbuk. For each subject, a recognition threshold of 4 basic tastes and pleasant concentrations of NaCl were estimated using the sip- and–spit method. Taste preferences, frequency of intake of food groups, nutrient intakes, and salinity and sweetness of Korean jang products (Doenjang, Ganjang, Gochujang) were assessed. No association was found between salt taste recognition threshold and optimally preferred concentration of salt and salinity of Korean jang products. However, the sweet taste recognition threshold was positively related to the sweetness of Korean jang products. Also, the salinity of Doenjang positively correlated with the frequencies of food groups and nutrient intakes. That is to say that the sweet taste sensitivity was related to the sweetness of Korean jang products, but was not sensitive to the salty taste. The salinity of Doenjang correlated with the consumption of food and nutrient intakes. Taken together, these findings suggest the need for appropriate intervention and education to reduce the salinity of Doenjang, which is an important modifiable factor contributing to reducing sodium intake in the rural elderly.

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.

Objective : The purpose of this study was to compare the participation and influencing factors between rural and urban elderly and to identify their affecting factors.Methods : Data were collected from 77 rural and urban elderly. The instruments used in this study were Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-K), Outpatient Physical Therapy Improvement in Movement Log (OPTIMAL), Korean form of Geriatric Depression Scale (KGDS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and Utrecht Scale for Evaluation of Rehabilitation-Participation (USER-Participation). Data were analyzed using a chi-Square test, t-test, Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression.Results : All four functions had a statistically significant correlation with their participation. There were significant differences in factors relating to participation between the rural and urban elderly. A high level of negative correlation was found between participation and depression in rural elderly (r=-.486, p<.01), and a high level of positive correlation was found between participation and self-esteem in urban elderly (r=.598, p<.05). The main affecting factor was self-esteem in the urban elderly (p<.01).Conclusion : There were differences in the participation and influencing factors between rural and urban elderly, and the rural elderly were found to have more weaknesses than those from an urban area. An intervention program for participation should be designed differently between those from rural and urban areas.

This study was carried out to determine the depression symptoms and nutritional status of elderly females that ate congregate meals at lunch in rural Pocheon. The subjects were 18 elderly females aged over 65 (75.7±4.6 years) and information on smoking, subjective health status, depression symptoms and malnutrition risk were collected using a questionnaire administered with the help of trained research assistants. Measurements included mid-arm circumference and calf circumference. Food consumption for 3 days during breakfast and supper were determined by 24-hour recall and food consumption at lunch was determined as the difference between the amounts served and the plate waste. All data were compared between two age groups (≤ 75 and > 75). The subjects had the lowest nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) for vitamin B6 (0.523), followed by calcium and niacin and the lowest index of nutrient quality (INQ) for calcium (0.738). The older elderly had significantly lower NAR for vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6 and niacin as well as significantly lower mean adequacy ratio (MAR) compared to the young elderly. They also had significantly lower INQ for vitamin B1 and vitamin C and significantly thinner arm circumference (28.3 cm vs. 31.3 cm). They consumed more than 40% of their daily intake for each nutrient at lunch. Higher proportions of nutrient intake from lunch provided evidence of the importance of congregate meals, suggesting that the government and society should support congregate meals to improve nutritional status.

This study was carried out survey to compare using status of physical therapy for elderly persons between urban and rural area in Honam. There were 16 places consisting of general clinics, departments of family medicine, pain medicine, and orthopedics that run outpatient physical therapy. This study distributed 636 questionnaires in total and collected 400 responses. Regionally, 200 responses out of 311 questionnaires from Gwangju and 200 responses out of 325 questionnaires from Jeollanam-do and Jeollabuk-do were collected. Regionally speaking, Gwangju was 62% while Jeollanam-do and Jeollabuk-do regions were 88%, indicating patients in rural areas employed more public transportation, which was statistically significantly different. There was a difference between urban and rural areas with regard to questions regarding improvement with physical therapy. Factors related to the number of physical therapy visits per week that showed a significant difference between urban and rural areas found by the linear regression analysis result were working hours, whether the patient exercised or not, and pain stress. This result suggest that it is necessary to reduce working hours and pain stress experienced by rural elderlies as well as to encourage regular exercise via national polices.

목 적: 농촌 노인의 근용안경 제작에 필요한 자료를 얻기 위해 고혈압과 당뇨 등의 일반적인 노인 질환과 안질환 등을 파악하여 질환과 근용안경 굴절력과의 연관성을 파악하고자 한다. 방 법: 설문 내용은 질환, 눈 수술, 눈 증상으로 구분하여 전라북도 농촌에 거주하는 60세 이상 노인 215명을 대상으로 설문조사를 실시하여 분석하였다. 결 과: 고혈압(49.8%)이 당뇨병(9.3%) 보다 유병이 높게 나타났고 각 질환은 여자가 남자보다 많았다. 백내장 수술자는 43.3%, 녹내장 수술자는 4.7%이었고, 녹내장 수술자는 고혈압과 당뇨병을 가지고 있었다. 눈꺼풀 수술자는 6명(2.8%)이었고 모두 여자 이였으며, 군날개를 수술한 사람은 없었다. 날파리증은 105명(48.8%)이 증상을 가지고 있었고 연령별로는 70대에서 가장 많았다. 눈마름 증상을 호소한 사람은 153명(71.2%)이었고 여자가 남자보다 많았으며 80대 이상에서 가장 많았다. 망막박리 증상은 28명(13.0%)이 호소하였고, 여자가 남자보다 많았다. 백내장수술, 녹내장수술, 눈꺼풀수술, 날파리증, 눈마름증, 망막박리증은 고혈압환자에서 많았다. 백내장, 녹내장, 눈꺼풀수술, 날파리증, 눈마름증, 망막박리증을 가지고 있는 사람과 정상인 사이에 근용안경 처방 굴절력은 차이가 없었다. 결 론: 고혈압과 당뇨병, 백내장 수술, 녹내장 수술, 날파리 증상 그리고 눈마름 증상은 노안의 상태를 파악하는데 도움이 되는 것으로 사료되며, 질환과 근용안경 굴절력과는 연관성이 없었다.

목적 : 도시와 농촌 간 만성질환이 있는 65세 이상의 노인을 대상으로 일반적 특성에 따른 신체활동 실천율과 신체활동에 따른 삶의 질 차이를 알아보고자 한다. 연구방법 : 만성질환을 갖고 있는 65세 이상 노인 1,039명을 연구 대상으로 하였다. 신체활동으로는 걷기, 유연성 운동,근력 운동을 조사하였고, 삶의 질은 EQ-5D (Euroqol-5 dimension)를 사용하여 삶의 질에 대한 자료를 수집하여 분석하였다. 결과 : 신체활동 실천율은 도시의 경우 연령, 성별, 배우자, 주택유형, 소득수준, 교육수준에 따라 유의한 차이를 보였고, 농촌의 경우 주택유형과 교육수준에 따라 유의한 차이를 보였다. 삶의 질에서, 도시의 경우는 걷기, 유연성 운동, 근력 운동을 실천 한 군의 운동능력, 자기관리, 일상생활활동, 통증/불편 영역에서 유의한 차이를 보였고, 농촌의 경우는 걷기를 실천 한 군의 운동능력에서 유의한 차이를 보였다. 결론 : 도시와 농촌 모두 만성질환 노인의 신체활동 실천율은 낮은 편이었고, 특히 도시보다 농촌에 거주하는 만성질환 노인의 신체활동 실천율이 더욱 낮게 나타났다. 만성질환노인의 신체적 기능을 높이고, 삶의 질에 긍정적인 영향을 미칠 수 있는 신체활동의 중요성에 대한 인식이 필요하다.

목적 : 본 연구의 목적은 70세 이상 노인이 거주하는 농촌지역 가정을 방문하여 집의 구조적인 문제와 거주자의 신체 건강 상태를 확인하고, 평가를 통해 농촌 주거공간내 안전생활을 진단에 따른 주거환경개선의 효과를 알아보고자 함이다. 연구방법 : 본 연구는 2010년 농업기술센터 용역 사업으로 농촌노인 주거 공간 내 안전생활을 위해 진행되었다. 70세 이상 노 인이 거주하고 있는 농촌마을 2곳을 대상으로 총 25가구를 직접 방문하여 평가 후 주거환경을 개선하였다. 연구 기간은 2010 년 6월부터 11월까지 6개월간이었다. 작업치료학 전공자에 의해 대상 가구의 일반적 주거상태를 인터뷰 후 주거환경평가 체크리스트를 통해 주거공간 내 안전생활의 주된 문제점을 파악하였고 캐나다작업수행측정(COPM)을 이용하여 개선이 필요한 정도는 일상생활에서 어려운 점을 중요도로 평가하였으며, 개선 전후의 일상생활의 수행능력 정도는 수행도와 만족도를 측정 하였다. 결과 : 주거 공간 내 안전생활 진단 후 중재 결과 25가구에 총 170개의 보조도구가 지급되었고 1가구당 평균 6.8개의 보조도구 가 설치되었다. 그 중 설치 빈도가 가장 높았던 항목은 가스자동차단기, 안전손잡이로 각각 21개였고, 미끄럼방지처리, 실버카, 목욕의자 순이었다. 보조도구 지급 전 후 COPM 점수를 비교하였을 때 안전손잡이, 스텝박스(문턱 보조도구), 목욕의자와 좌 변기 안전지지대의 설치 후 수행도가 향상된 반면 만족도는 안전손잡이, 지팡이, 스텝박스, 실버카 순으로 향상되었다. 결론 : 농촌노인을 대상으로 주거 공간 내에서의 안전생활 문제를 도출한 후 주거환경개선을 실시한 결과 만족도와 수행도가 높았다.

To investigate acute drug intoxication trends in the elderly visited Emergency Medical Centers, Data was collected from the records of poisoning patients visited Five different Hospitals from January 1. 2007 to December 31. 2007. The analysis was conducted by using 135 cases of 624 cases. When considering only the elderly and making comparisons between the urban areas and the rural areas the following data was produced. In regard to patients with acute drug intoxication, the main substance of choice was pesticides. Cases of acute drug intoxication are definitely higher for those categorized as the rural elderly (75.0%) when compared with those categorized as the urban elderly (44.1%). The male to female ratio, those living together as a family, past suicide attempts, mental state and sobriety condition when they came, monthly distribution etc. between the two groups did not demonstrate a difference between them. In regard to reasons given for acute drug intoxication, suicide was the highest at 60.7% of the cases. When comparing accidental reasons for poisoning, the urban elderly, at 34.2% of their cases, were higher than in the rural elderly, at 23.7%. After first aid was administered, the admission rate was higher for the rural elderly (47.4%) than for the urban elderly (33.9%). This shows that the rural elderly have a more severe acute drug intoxication poisoning problem than the urban elderly do.

목적 : 본 연구의 목적은 농촌지역 노인들의 낙상효능감에 영향을 미치는 변인을 확인하기 위하여 신체적, 심리적 요인들을 고려하여 이들 변인들간의 인과적 관계를 알아보고, 매개변인인 이동기능을 통한 영향를 알아보기 위함이다. 연구 방법 : 2008년 9월 3일부터 2009년 5월 30일까지 논산지역 13곳의 경로당을 이용하는 노인 290명을 대상자로 하였다. 신체적 요인은 신체 부위별 임피던스를 측정하는 InBody 720을 사용하여 하지근육량과 비만도를 측정하였고, 심리적 요인은 통증과 우울에 관한 검사가 실시되었다. 이동기능은 이동능력(Timed Up and Go: TUG)과 선따라 걷기 검사가 실시되었고 낙상효능감에 대한 자료는 낙상효능감 척도(Fall Efficacy Scale: FES)를 사용하였다. 분석은 신체적, 심리적 요인들을 외생변인으로 선정하여 중간 매개변인인 기능이동능력과 최종 내생변인인 낙상효능감에 미치는 인과적 영향을 분석하기 위하여 Amos 7.0의 ML(Maximum Likelihood) 추정절차를 사용하였다. 결과 : 낙상효능감에 영향을 미치는 변인들 간의 상관성을 분석한 결과에서 이동하기, 복부비만과 내장비만, 통증,우울 그리고 연령에서 부적(negative)인 상관관계가 있는 것으로 나타났고, 하지의 근력과 성별에서는 정적(positive)인 상관관계가 있었다. 매개변인인 이동능력에 유의미한 인과 영향을 갖는 요인으로는 하지근육량(β=-.352), 비만도(β=.159), 심리적변인(β=.240)이었고 통제변인에서는 연령(β=.424)이었다. 최종내생변인은 이동기능(β=-.524)과 심리적 변인(β=-.152)이 통계적으로 유의미하였다. 간접영향과 직접영향을 고려한 전체 영향에서 절대적 크기 순서로 나열하면, 이동기능(-.524), 심리적 변인(-.236), 연령(-.164)이다. 결론 : 농촌지역 노인들의 낙상효능감에 영향을 미치는 요인은 이동기능, 하지근육량, 심리적변인, 비만도, 연령이다. 따라서 작업치료에서 노인의 낙상효능감을 증진시켜 일상생활 수행능력을 향상시키기 위해서 이상의 요인들을 고려한 작업치료 중재 프로그램이 개발되어야 한다.

To investigate acute drug intoxication trends in the elderly visited Emergency Medical Centers, Data was collected from the records of poisoning patients visited Five different Hospitals from January 1. 2007 to December 31. 2007. The analysis was conducted by using 135 cases of 624 cases. When considering only the elderly and making comparisons between the urban areas and the rural areas the following data was produced. In regard to patients with acute drug intoxication, the main substance of choice was pesticides. Cases of acute drug intoxication are definitely higher for those categorized as the rural elderly (75.0%) when compared with those categorized as the urban elderly (44.1%). The male to female ratio, those living together as a family, past suicide attempts, mental state and sobriety condition when they came, monthly distribution etc. between the two groups did not demonstrate a difference between them. In regard to reasons given for acute drug intoxication, suicide was the highest at 60.7% of the cases. When comparing accidental reasons for poisoning, the urban elderly, at 34.2% of their cases, were higher than in the rural elderly, at 23.7%. After first aid was administered, the admission rate was higher for the rural elderly (47.4%) than for the urban elderly (33.9%). This shows that the rural elderly have a more severe acute drug intoxication poisoning problem than the urban elderly do.

목적: 농촌지역 노인들의 일반적인 특성과 생리학적 특성을 알아보고, 지역사회 노인중심의 작업치료적인 건강관리 프로그램구성을 위한 방향 및 기초자료를 제시하고자 한다. 연구방법 : 2006년 9월 14일부터 2006년 11월 23일까지 논산지역 5곳 경로당을 이용하는 노인 166명을 임의추출하였다. 자료 수집은 하지근력과 기능적 이동, 균형능력을 측정하였으며, InBody 720을 이용하여 비만도를 측정하였다. 자료 분석은 SPSS win 12.0을 이용하였다. 결과 : 노인의 근력과 균형능력에서는 남성이 여성보다, 비만도에서는 여성이 남성보다 통계적으로 유의하게 높았다. 연령이 높을수록 근력, 균형능력, 기능적 이동능력은 저하되었고, 비만도에서 BMI 지수는 유의하게 낮았다. 기능적 이동은 비만정도와 상관성이 없고, 팔 뻗기, 한발로 서기의 균형능력은 복부비만과 유의한 상관관계를 보였다. 결론 : 농촌지역 노인들에게 낙상예방을 위한 지역사회중심 작업치료가 필요하며, 균형능력을 증진시키기 위한 작업이나 활동의 선택은 성별과 연령에 따른 비만도가 고려되어야 한다.

Aging rate of rural area in our country is relatively high compared to that of the urban area. Thus, the introduction of meal service for the elderly residing in the rural area is necessary for their better living quality. Food habit, health and the nutritive intake conditions during the busy farming season were surveyed and comparative analysis of dietary intake for the introduction of meal service in pavilion of the elderly living in Chungnam, Kangwon, Jeonnam and Kyungbuk was performed for basic reference data of meal service introduction to the pavilion of the elderly in rural area. In general subject, the male elderly had a significant difference in marital state and showed that 79.4% was married and 20% was separated by death(P<0.05). In allowance, there were no significant difference but most of them lived with less then three hundred thousand won and especially, female lived with less then one hundred thousand won. In health state, the female elderly showed significant difference on difficulty with every day activity but with small trouble although they had to prepare their own meal(P<0.05). The condition dental health conditions of the female elderly had a significant difference showing bad conditions in following order; Kangwon(48%)>Chungnam(38.1%)>Kyungbuk(22.9%)>Jeonnam(22.5%)(p<0.05). The female elderly showed a significant difference in usage of denture and number of the female elderly without using the denture were very high(p<0.05). In nutrition intake condition, amount of sodium was very high but intakes of fiber and calcium were relatively 1ow(P<0.05). Meal service introduction in the pavilion of the elderly is suggested for the improvement of the life quality of the elderly in rural area. When developing the menu for them, conditions such as shortage of the fiber and calcium in diets, the dental conditions should be considered.

Falling is a serious problem associated with aging. Unintentional injury, which most often results from falling, is one of the leading causes of death in elderly people. The purpose of this study is to investigate the risk factors of falls and to compare characteristics of people who fall with that of non-fallers among the rural community-dwelling elderly of Korea. A sample of 201 people, living in the community, aged 60 years and over was taken from the members of a center for seniors located in Jecheon city. The mean age of the participants was 70.5 years of age. The participants are comprised of 151 women and 50 men. Eighty four of the 201 participants (41.8%) fell during the previous year. Twenty two of the fallers (26.2%) fell down more than two times. It was found that fallers had poorer eyesight, multiple chronic diseases and a more difficult time walking than non-fallers. In the logistic regression analysis of falls, only the difficulty of walking one kilometer (OR=2.4) and chronic diseases (OR=2.5) have shown an increased risk of falls. The risk of recurrent falls is, in addition, influenced by the difficulty of walking one kilometer. The result of our study shows that the impairment of mobility was the strongest risk factor of recurrent falling.