This study was performed to evaluate and compare health conservation and its related factors of elders in assisted living facilities or nursing homes.

Data for health conservation was collected from 316 elders in 10 institutions in Daegu city and Kyungpook province from February 1st to February 22nd, 2005. Data was collected by a structured questionnaire that included general characteristics, general health status, health conservation, functional health status (ADL, IADL) and depression (GDS-K) scales. The collected data was analyzed by the SPSS (version 11.5) program including descriptive statistics, t-test, -test, Pearson's correlation and stepwise method regression analysis.

The elders in assisted living facilities revealed lower scores in health conservation, ADL and IADL than the elders in nursing homes. Predictable variables influencing health conservation of the elders in assisted living facilities were depression and MAC (Mid-Arm Circumference) that is equal to .270, and the the elders in nursing home were depression, IADL, degree of sleep, and TSF (Triceps Skin Fold) that is equal to .409.

The development of a health conservation program and long-term health care service system for elders in assisted living facilities are needed than for the elders in nursing homes.

The purpose of this study was to develop a health conservation scale with high validity and reliability for institutionalized elderly.

The process of development of this scale was as follows. A conceptual framework composed of 4 phases of health conservation of institutionalized elderly was identified based on the literature review with elderlies and discussions with experts in health conservation. A total of 75 items, on a 4-point scale were developed. Through reliability testing and factor analysis, 57 preliminary items were selected. By means of internal consistency of the 57 items, 18 items whose inner-items correlation coefficient was below .40 were deleted. Through factor analysis, 2 items whose factor loading was below .40 were deleted. Finally 37 items remained. To verity the 37 items, factor analysis, reliability testing, and correlation was done. Data were collected from 207 institutionalized elderly subjects in Daegu, Kyungpook, Busan, and KyungNam Province from August. 2003 to February. 2004.

In the result of factor analysis of the 37 items, 4 factors were extracted. These factors were labeled as ‘ personal integrity’, ‘ conservation of energy’, ‘ structural integrity’, and ‘ social integrity’. These factors included 4 phases of health conservation. Cronbach's Alpha of 37 the items was .9424 and the correlation coefficient of HPLP was .723.

The researchers recommend the following: An explorative study on the variables related to health conservation is needed for criterion validity of this scale. Studies on health conservation of different age groups, and subjects are needed for verification.