Health Policy Manag.  2019 Dec;29(4):454-468. 10.4332/KJHPA.2019.29.4.454.

Relationship between Physical Function Factors and Discrimination Experiences of the Elderly in Korea: The 2014 and 2017 National Survey on Living Conditions and Welfare Needs of Korean Older Persons

• Lee K
• Yong W
• You C
• Lee Y
• Chung W

• KMID: 2470453
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4332/KJHPA.2019.29.4.454

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Supporting the elderly population is presented as a social issue, and it affects age discrimination, which forms a negative perception and avoids the elderly. Since age discrimination lowers the quality of life of the elderly and hinders social unity, it may be important to research related factors. This study examined the physical function as a factor that influences discrimination experiences and aimed to identify the relationship between physical function factors and discrimination experiences.
METHODS
In this study, we analyzed 20,225 elderly from the 2014 and 2017 survey of living conditions and welfare needs of Korean older persons, conducted nationwide among older than 65 years. Physical function factors are activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, sight discomfort, hearing discomfort, chewing discomfort, and leg strength as factors of interest. We performed multivariable logistic regression that reflected survey characteristics, adjusting for socio-demographic factors, health related factors, and social-support factors.
RESULTS
The number of elderly who faced discrimination experiences was 1,175 (5.8%). The results showed that the odds ratio of facing a discrimination experience in the dependent group was significantly higher compared to the independent group when being transferring out of the room (4.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.50-10.88) and difficulty in hearing (1.25; 95% CI, 1.05-1.49). Even with respect to chewing ability, which was significant in models 1 and 2, they face more discrimination experiences (1.30; 95% CI, 1.11-1.53).
CONCLUSION
These research results indicate that an important strategy for preventing age discrimination is to understand the physical function conditions of the elderly and promote the physical functions of the elderly related to transferring, hearing, and chewing; it is necessary to develop a practical intervention plan that considers these aspects.

Keyword

Discrimination in the elderly; Discrimination experience; Physical function; Survey of living conditions and welfare needs of Korean older persons; Korea

MeSH Terms

Activities of Daily Living
Aged*
Ageism
Discrimination (Psychology)*
Hearing
Humans
Korea*
Leg
Logistic Models
Mastication
Odds Ratio
Quality of Life
Social Conditions*