Abstract
Background This study aimed to identify the current challenges of health services provided by senior centers in South Korea and to determine recommendations for improving service to community-dwelling older adults, focusing on the nurse’s role. Methods Quantitative data were obtained from a survey of 30 nurses at senior centers in Seoul, South Korea. In addition, focus group interviews were conducted with 6 senior center nurses, 5 health experts, and 4 attendees of senior centers (n = 15). Content analysis was performed to analyze the qualitative data. Results The study results revealed several challenges, including insufficient health services; a lack of human resources; non-systematic and overlapping health services; and a lack of legal clarification of nurses’ roles. Our recommendations for improvement are that senior centers should: focus on disease prevention and chronic disease management; be hubs to connect health and welfare services; empower nurse’s role and capacity; and establish legal regulation and adequate staffing for nurses. Conclusions These findings are important for improving the senior centers in playing a key role in contributing to health promotion, disease prevention, and chronic disease management among older individuals in South Korea.
Understanding the dynamics between ethnicity and health care: Another role for health services research in chronic disease management