Older adults commonly experience concurrent lower handgrip strength and sensory impairment. However, previous studies have analyzed the individual effects of either handgrip strength or sensory impairment on cognitive impairment. To address this gap, this study investigated the combined effects of handgrip strength and sensory impairment on cognitive impairment among older adults. In total, 2930 participants aged 65 and older were analyzed using 2014–2018 data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging. Participants underwent assessments of handgrip strength (grip dynamometer), sensory impairment (self-reported responses), and cognitive impairment (Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination). Low handgrip strength, compared to normal handgrip strength, was associated with cognitive impairment. In participants with low handgrip strength, vision and hearing impairment were associated with cognitive impairment (odds ratio [OR] 1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06–1.75; OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.77–3.78, respectively) compared to those with normal handgrip strength. Participants with low handgrip strength and dual sensory impairment had the highest OR for cognitive impairment (OR 3.73, 95% CI 2.65–5.25). Due to the strong association of low handgrip strength and dual sensory impairment with cognitive impairment, people living with low handgrip strength and dual sensory impairment should be classified as a high-risk group for cognitive impairment and should be prioritized for interventions.

Background: The health care paradigm is being challenged to put greater emphasis on promoting a healthy lifestyle and provide patient-customized care in a rapidly changing Korean society. Within such changes, it is worthwhile to identify how the meaning of a good nurse may be changing.Objective: This study explores the meaning of a good nurse from the perspective of nurses themselves.Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with ten nurses who worked at senior general hospitals or governmental agencies using purposeful sampling. Individual interviews were done until data saturation was reached. The key question was “What does a good nurse mean to you?” After the interview, content analysis was done.Results: Six main themes and 16 subthemes were identified. The main themes showed that a good nurse was someone who ‘leans in toward the patient’, ‘provides professional care’, ‘keeps the cornerstone of one’s mind with a positive attitude’, ‘maintains a good relationship with colleagues’, ‘matures with her/his nursing philosophy and conviction’, ‘contributes to society’.Conclusion: This study provides basic data for exploring nurses’ self-image as a professional. Specifically, social role and macro level responsibilities were identified with nurses’ internal aspects such as a positive attitude, and nursing philosophy. The necessity of socio-environmental support for nurses was also emphasized. In addition, the results of this study can be used at the policy level to provide a better balance for development of good nursing.

Lee S, et al. J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs. 2018 Sep;27(3):264-273. https://doi.org/10.12934/jkpmhn.2018.27.3.264

이수미, et al. J Korean Acad Nurs. 2020 Apr;50(2):178-190. https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2020.50.2.178

Background/Objectives: To identify joint trajectories of physical frailty and cognitive impairment among community-dwelling older adults and to determine modifiable factors for each trajectory. Methods: Data were utilized from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, which was conducted between 2006 and 2018. Physical frailty was assessed using the Fried phenotype, and cognitive impairment was evaluated using the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination. Group-based trajectory modeling and logistic regression were employed for the analyses. Results: Based on longitudinal data, 415 participants averaging 72.2 years of age were analyzed. Three trajectories of physical frailty were identified: mild physical frailty, moderate physical frailty, and improving frailty. Two trajectories of cognitive impairment were identified: stable cognitive impairment and improving cognitive impairment. Factors influencing physical frailty trajectories included the number of medications taken, being overweight or obese, and depression. Education level was found to be associated with cognitive impairment trajectories. Conclusions: This study provides evidence for the distinct identification of joint trajectories of physical frailty and cognitive impairment, which can inform the target groups for intervention. It offers a basis for including modifiable physical and mental factors in intervention components for physical frailty trajectories.