Based on these results, a multidimensional customized fall prevention program should be considered by various factors according to residential environments to effectively prevent falls among elderly adults.

The aims of the study were to investigate the levels of depression and to identify the predictors of depression among older adults in 3 different environments based on their primary place of leisure time activity, including their homes, small community halls, and senior welfare centers. A convenience sample of 833 older adults participated in the study. Instruments for measuring functional independence, social support, life satisfaction, and depression were used. The data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple hierarchical regressions. The level of depression in older adults at home was significantly greater than the level of depression in those in both small community halls and senior welfare centers. Life satisfaction was the strongest negative predictor of depression in older adults both at home and in senior welfare centers, whereas employment status was the one in those in small community halls. Across the 3 groups, poor subjective health was the strongest positive predictor of depression. The levels of depression and predictors differed among the settings. Nurses should have a thorough understanding of these differences when planning effective strategies for managing depression in older adults.

This study aimed to provide evidence for the development of an algorithm to identify older adults with a high risk for repeated falls, along with strategies to prevent repeated falls, by analyzing the known physical, psychological, and environmental factors related to falls in older adults. One hundred fifty-seven community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years or older who experienced a fall within the past year were enrolled in this study. Participants’ physical, psychological, environmental, and fall prevention-related characteristics were surveyed using structured questionnaires to identify the risk factors for repeated falls. The use of antidepressants, depression score, and compliance with fall prevention behaviors were found to differ significantly between the two groups, and the use of antidepressants and depression were found to be significant predictors of repeated falls. Depression should be considered as a major variable when developing an algorithm to identify the risk of repeated falls among older adults living at home. Also, the practice of fall prevention behaviors was higher in the repeated-falls group, likely due to that group’s efforts to prevent additional falls.

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the effects of a fall prevention program on falls, physical function, psychological function, and home environmental safety in frail elders living at home in rural communities. Methods: The design of this study was a nonequivalent control group pre posttest design. The study was conducted from July to November, 2012 with 30 participants in the experimental group and 30 in the control group. Participants were registered at the public health center of E County. The prevention program on falls consisted of laughter therapy, exercise, foot care and education. The program was provided once a week for 8 weeks and each session lasted 80 minutes. Results: The risk score for falls and depression in the experimental group decreased significantly compared with scores for the control group. Compliance with prevention behavior related to falls, knowledge score on falls, safety scores of home environment, physical balance, muscle strength of lower extremities, and self-efficacy for fall prevention significantly increased in the experimental group compared with the control group. Conclusion: These results suggest that the prevention program on falls is effective for the prevention of falls in frail elders living at home.

This study was conducted to survey children's health status and need of customized visiting health care services in one province. Methods: The participants in this study were 237 caregivers of infants and preschoolers. Data were collected at the participant's home or public health center. Results: Many of the children did not receive developmental screening tests or dental examinations. In the beneficiary group, the prenatal checkup rate and children's vaccination rate were lower, and caregivers had more health problems than the other groups. On the assessment of home safety, unsafe conditions were more frequently found in the beneficiary group. The caregivers in the beneficiary group showed lower child rearing confidence than the other groups, and wanted customized visiting health care services most in the areas of developmental screening, regular health checkup and counseling, nutritional supplementation, and oral health care. Conclusion: These results indicate that it is necessary for children and parents in poverty to be provided with professional home visiting interventions for the promotion of child health and prevention of developmental problems and diseases. These findings can be used for developing future customized visiting health care service programs for infants and children in this community area.