PURPOSE This study was designed to identify effects of self-esteem and health status on adaptation of elderly residents in facilities. METHODS The sample consisted of 151 elderly residents. The data collected from January to April 2010 were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression. Using instruments were self-esteem scale (SES) (Rosenberg, 1965), Korean health status measure for the elderly (KoHSME) (Shin et al, 2002), and nursing home adaptation scale (Lee, 2007). RESULTS The mean scores of self-esteem (2.90+/-0.71), health status (2.15+/-0.53) and adaptation (2.98+/-0.44) of elderly residents in facilities were above the average. Self-esteem was significantly varied according to religion, economic status and living expenses. Health status was significantly different according to age, disease and motivation of getting into the facilities. Adaptation was significantly different according to religion, satisfaction of facilities and decision maker of getting into the facilities. Significant correlations were found between self-esteem, health status and adaptation. Self-esteem and health status were influencing factors of adaptation (22.6%). CONCLUSION These findings indicate that perceived self-esteem and health status may be requirements for promoting adaptation of elderly residents in facilities. These results could be utilized in the development of supportive programs for elderly adaptation.
This study has been conducted for the purpose of identifying the levels of knowledge and attitude about dementia, and exploring the degrees of practice and the relationship among these variables in nursing assistants caring institutionalized demented elders. The subjects were 87 formal caregivers from 3 dementia-specialized nursing facilities, 2 dementia-specialized hospitals, 1 general psychiatric hospitals, and 3 general nursing homes. The data were gathered from July 10th to August 5th, 1998 through interviews by questionnaires. The measuring instruments of this study were developed by the researcher and proven for their reliability and validity. The collected data were analyzed using SAS program. 1) The lowest score among 6 sub-areas about practice showed on this subarea of maintenance of remained ADL function, offering stimuli and activities to demented elders was the second. 2) The third hypothesis of "the higher the attitude score they have, the higher the practice score they do" was supported (r=.370, p=.025). 3) The influencing factors significantly on knowledge were educational status, learning experience about taking care of patients, learning experience about dementia during last a year. 4) A factor of the period of taking care demented elders have significantly influenced on the attitude about dementia. 5) The influencing factors significantly on practice were age, marital status, learning experience about taking care of patients, learning experience about dementia during the last a year. 6) The most difficult situation the subjects perceived in taking care of demented elders was managing the aggressive and resistive behaviors of demented elders.