Hana Ko1, Yeon-Hwan Park2, BeLong Cho3, Kyung-Choon Lim4, Sun Ju Chang5, Yu Mi Yi5, Eun-Young Noh5, So-Im Ryu5. 1. Institute of Nursing Science College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul 103, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: hanago11@naver.com. 2. College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul 103, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: hanipyh@snu.ac.kr. 3. Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 103, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea. 4. College of Nursing Sungshin University, Seoul 55, Dobong-ro 76Ga-gil, Gagbuk-Gu, Seoul, 02844, Republic of Korea. 5. College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul 103, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify gender differences in the health status, community service needs, and quality of life of older adults living alone in an urban city in South Korea. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive correlational design was used. The study sampled 1023 older adults (≥65 years) living alone in S* City, during the period from August to October in 2018. Trained interviewers conducted face-to-face interviews with the participants, using the UCLA Loneliness Scale, Short Form Geriatric Depression Scale - Korean version, ENRICHD Social Support Instrument (ESSI), the Mini-Mental State Examination Standard Version (MMSE-2SV), and Health-Related Quality of Life (EQ-5D). RESULTS: 77.8% were women and the mean age was 77.38 years (men = 74.65, women = 78.16). Women had lower socioeconomic and health status than men. Men felt more lonely, depressed, and had suicidal thoughts more frequently than women. Women had more needs regarding care, residential environment, movement, connection, and emergency services than men. In men, depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts, loneliness, and right-hand grip strength were identified using the EQ-5D. The EQ-5D was also used to explain depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts, cognitive function, and physical activity in women. CONCLUSION: Health status and community service needs were dependent on gender; therefore interventions should be tailored according to gender. Our research found that to decrease depression and suicidal thoughts, improve physical health, and enhance quality of life for older adults living alone, interventions need to be designed to decrease male loneliness and to enhance female cognitive function.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify gender differences in the health status, community service needs, and quality of life of older adults living alone in an urban city in South Korea. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive correlational design was used. The study sampled 1023 older adults (≥65 years) living alone in S* City, during the period from August to October in 2018. Trained interviewers conducted face-to-face interviews with the participants, using the UCLA Loneliness Scale, Short Form Geriatric Depression Scale - Korean version, ENRICHD Social Support Instrument (ESSI), the Mini-Mental State Examination Standard Version (MMSE-2SV), and Health-Related Quality of Life (EQ-5D). RESULTS: 77.8% were women and the mean age was 77.38 years (men = 74.65, women = 78.16). Women had lower socioeconomic and health status than men. Men felt more lonely, depressed, and had suicidal thoughts more frequently than women. Women had more needs regarding care, residential environment, movement, connection, and emergency services than men. In men, depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts, loneliness, and right-hand grip strength were identified using the EQ-5D. The EQ-5D was also used to explain depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts, cognitive function, and physical activity in women. CONCLUSION: Health status and community service needs were dependent on gender; therefore interventions should be tailored according to gender. Our research found that to decrease depression and suicidal thoughts, improve physical health, and enhance quality of life for older adults living alone, interventions need to be designed to decrease male loneliness and to enhance female cognitive function.
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