J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs.  2011 Jun;22(2):184-191. 10.12799/jkachn.2011.22.2.184.

Comparison of Health Management and Leisure Activities between Korean and Japanese Elderly in Urban-Rural Composite Areas

• Park KM
• Kang H

• KMID: 2292856
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12799/jkachn.2011.22.2.184

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to compare health management and leisure activities of the Korean and Japanese elderly.
METHODS
This study used a cross-sectional descriptive research design. A total of 149 Korean and 140 Japanese older adults living in two urban-rural composite areas participated in this research project. Data were collected using interviews with the participants. t-test and 2 test were used to analyze the data.
RESULTS
Eighty eight point two percent of the Japanese perceived that their health status was good whereas 27.3% of the Koreans responded that their health status was poor. There were significant differences in types of leisure activities in art, intellectual, events, and volunteer activities between the two groups. A majority of the Japanese elderly replied that they spent some time and money for leisure activities; however, 20.2% and 27.2% of the Koreans reported that they did not spend time or money at all for leisure activities.
CONCLUSION
The number of the Korean elderly participating leisure activities was significantly lower than Japanese participants. Developing nursing strategies using leisure programs would improve the quality of life of older adults and the quality of nursing care.

Keyword

Korea; Japan; Aged; Leisure activities; Health

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged*
Asian Continental Ancestry Group*
Humans
Japan
Korea
Leisure Activities*
Nursing
Nursing Care
Quality of Life
Research Design
Volunteers