earticle

영어

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between health status, health care behavior, and depression among older adults over 65 years old who live alone and are utilizing elderly welfare centers located in Gyeonggi-do. Methods: The data of 575 older adults aged 65 years or older were collected and analyzed using frequency analysis, crossover analysis, t-test, and logistic regression analysis. Results: First, we found that a high number of participants experienced depression if health care behavior did not include any physical exercise program (x2 = 2.729, p<.05). Second, factors leading to depression in older adults who live alone included monthly household income (OR : 0.658, 95%, CI : 0.372-0.968), physical health level (OR : 1.595, 95%, CI : 1.332-1.909), and hospitalization experience (OR : 1.577, 95%, CI : 1.199-1.802). Conclusions: It is necessary to develop a plan in terms of health management for older adults who live alone and are suffering from depression, and to establish social service policies and management that can integrate health care and welfare services.