Objective : The purpose of this study is to identify actual operations and issues of wireless
paging system operation for the aged living alone as the end users of wireless paging system
primarily in Gwangyang city, and thereby to explore possible advanced and integrated ways to
promote social safety network for the aged.
Methods : The survey tool used in this study was a structured questionnaire form consisting
of question items. The researcher hereof conducted this survey by means of direct visit and
interview during two seasons, i.e. from February to August, 2008 and from December 2008 to
March 2009, respectively.
Results :
1) For general demographic characteristics, it was found that 90.9% of all respondents were
women and 61.2% of all respondents were at age 75 to 84. for health conditions, it was found
that more than 90% of all respondents often took medicines due to their unhealthy body, and
most of respondents suffered from musculoskeletal diseases 79.3% and circulatory diseases
61.6%. for walking capacity, it was found that 45.5% of all respondents used walking aids, and
disable respondents (11.5% of all respondents) were represented primarily by those with
physical disability (52.6% of disable respondents). for actual use of medical institutions, it was
found 47.3% of all respondents relied on local clinics, since they preferred neighborhood
hospitals or clinics they can trust for medical care. for social activities and supports, it was
found that 43.6% respondents had ‘needs for assistance at times’ and 33.9% respondents have
‘no need for assistance’. And it was found that the major difficulties in living alone at old age
were represented primarily by health problems 37.8% and economic difficulties 33.5%.
2) For characteristics related to wireless paging system, it was found that 90.3%
respondents used wireless paging system recommended by firemen, and 28.5% respondents used
this system. and it was found that 59.6% respondents used this system once, and 85.2%
respondents used it because of acute or chronic diseases. more than 90% respondents thought
that they knew about wireless paging system and considered themselves safe, but 83.6%
respondents didn't attach a remote control on their upper clothes, and even 49.1% respondents
turned off the power of wireless paging system due to their concern about electricity bill and
noise.
3) It was found that 83.6% respondents felt it necessary to use wireless paging system, and
wireless paging users felt more satisfied with using the system than non-users, and 50.7%
showed high satisfaction at certain psychological benefits like ‘confidence in coping with
critical situations’ and ‘a sense of relief’. In addition, it was found that some respondents who
answered that ‘they didn't turn off the paging system as they knew how it works’ and those who answered that they knew ‘how to use it’ showed relatively high satisfaction. And some
respondents who kept it well and felt it necessary also showed high satisfaction.
4) It was found that the level of satisfaction our respondents felt with using wireless paging
system varied significantly availability(χ2 = 12.759, p = .002), psychological advantages(χ2 =
12.174, p = .002), knowledge about how to use system(χ2 = 7.021, p = .016), power on/off(χ2 =
13.221, p = .001), level of knowledge about system(χ2
= 21.002, p = .000), maintenance(χ2 =
9.871, p = .007) and level of necessity(χ2 = 34.939, p = .000) on the statistical basis.
Objective : The purpose of this study is to identify actual operations and issues of wireless
paging system operation for the aged living alone as the end users of wireless paging system
primarily in Gwangyang city, and thereby to explore possible advanced and integrated ways to
promote social safety network for the aged.
Methods : The survey tool used in this study was a structured questionnaire form consisting
of question items. The researcher hereof conducted this survey by means of direct visit and
interview during two seasons, i.e. from February to August, 2008 and from December 2008 to
March 2009, respectively.
Results :
1) For general demographic characteristics, it was found that 90.9% of all respondents were
women and 61.2% of all respondents were at age 75 to 84. for health conditions, it was found
that more than 90% of all respondents often took medicines due to their unhealthy body, and
most of respondents suffered from musculoskeletal diseases 79.3% and circulatory diseases
61.6%. for walking capacity, it was found that 45.5% of all respondents used walking aids, and
disable respondents (11.5% of all respondents) were represented primarily by those with
physical disability (52.6% of disable respondents). for actual use of medical institutions, it was
found 47.3% of all respondents relied on local clinics, since they preferred neighborhood
hospitals or clinics they can trust for medical care. for social activities and supports, it was
found that 43.6% respondents had ‘needs for assistance at times’ and 33.9% respondents have
‘no need for assistance’. And it was found that the major difficulties in living alone at old age
were represented primarily by health problems 37.8% and economic difficulties 33.5%.
2) For characteristics related to wireless paging system, it was found that 90.3%
respondents used wireless paging system recommended by firemen, and 28.5% respondents used
this system. and it was found that 59.6% respondents used this system once, and 85.2%
respondents used it because of acute or chronic diseases. more than 90% respondents thought
that they knew about wireless paging system and considered themselves safe, but 83.6%
respondents didn't attach a remote control on their upper clothes, and even 49.1% respondents
turned off the power of wireless paging system due to their concern about electricity bill and
noise.
3) It was found that 83.6% respondents felt it necessary to use wireless paging system, and
wireless paging users felt more satisfied with using the system than non-users, and 50.7%
showed high satisfaction at certain psychological benefits like ‘confidence in coping with
critical situations’ and ‘a sense of relief’. In addition, it was found that some respondents who
answered that ‘they didn't turn off the paging system as they knew how it works’ and those who answered that they knew ‘how to use it’ showed relatively high satisfaction. And some
respondents who kept it well and felt it necessary also showed high satisfaction.
4) It was found that the level of satisfaction our respondents felt with using wireless paging
system varied significantly availability(χ2 = 12.759, p = .002), psychological advantages(χ2 =
12.174, p = .002), knowledge about how to use system(χ2 = 7.021, p = .016), power on/off(χ2 =
13.221, p = .001), level of knowledge about system(χ2
= 21.002, p = .000), maintenance(χ2 =
9.871, p = .007) and level of necessity(χ2 = 34.939, p = .000) on the statistical basis.