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.

The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of cognitive impairment, behavioral problems, and the state of mental health for elderly Korean people who have been institutionalized.

A cross-sectional, nation-wide survey was performed using an anonymous questionnaire. The participants in this study were 2,521 institutionalized elderly Korean people. A proportional stratified random sampling method was employed.

1) Elders admitted to subacute hospitals and long term care (LTC) facilities showed a higher level of cognitive impairment compared to elders admitted to acute care hospitals. 2) Elders confined in LTC facilities showed a higher level of behavioral problems compared to elders in acute or subacute hospitals. 3) Elders admitted to subacute hospitals and LTC facilities showed more serious mental health problems, such as depression or suicidal ideation, compared to elders in acute care hospitals.

The results of this study indicate that the severity of cognitive-behavioral or mental health problems do not match well with type of care setting. Therefore, health personnel working with elderly people should be provided guidance on detection and management of cognitive-behavioral and mental health problems. The necessity of a decision support system for eligibility and placement in long-term care is also discussed.