earticle

영어

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the health status and social support among elderly living alone with restricted daily functions using the data of the “2014 the Korean Elderly Survey”. Methods : Data on 2,407 elderly living alone were drawn and statistically examined using a t‒test, an ANOVA, and a multiple regression analysis. Results : The study found that first, the elderly living alone with restricted daily functions comprised 22.1% of the total elderly living alone, and those who were older elderly, illiterate, with low‒income, having poor nutrition management, and with a poor health status. Second, among the elderly living alone with restricted daily functions, there was a group with very little support from the family and only 14.0% were covered by long‒term care insurance. Third, the life satisfaction of the elderly with restricted functions was lower than that of the non‒restricted elderly, and was affected by income, health conditions, depression, access to senior welfare centers, and communication with others. Conclusions : The elderly living alone with restricted daily functions have serious health risks and social support, and hence they should be provided with more proactive support for life, health care and social care to live independently within their communities.