A Comparision on Frailty, Health Promotion Behavior, and Perceived Health Status in the Elderly according to the Type of Residency

Kwon, Sang Min; Park, Jeong Sook

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to classify frail and non-frail elderly and to investigate health promoting behaviors and perceived health status in the elderly according to the type of residency.
METHODS
This was a descriptive study. Data collection was performed from June 15th, 2009 to August 2nd, 2009. The subjects were selected at D city in Korea. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, chi-square -test, and ANCOVA test with SPSS/Win 15.0 program.
RESULTS
20.8% of the elderly living at home and 49.2% of those living in institution were frail. Frailty of the elderly living in institution was severer than those living at home. Non-frail elderly according to the type of residency showed higher scores of health promotion behavior and perceived health status than frail elderly. The elderly living at home showed higher scores of health promotion behavior than those living in institution.
CONCLUSIONS
In the comparison study between the elderly living at home and institution, ratio of frail elderly among the elderly living in institution is high and health promotion behaviors are deficient as well. Frail preventive program for the elderly is needed to develop and apply in consideration of these findings.