Gerontechnology-Based Smart Wellness Operational Model and Performance Indicators for Senior Communities = 제론테크놀로지 기반 시니어 커뮤니티 스마트 웰니스 운영모델 및 성과지표 연구

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study aims to systematically develop a smart wellness operation model for senior communities by applying the concept of gerontechnology and to establish a corresponding performance indicator framework. As we rapidly enter a super-aged society, the structural limitations of existing care-centered welfare policies are becoming increasingly apparent. Accordingly, the need for a policy paradigm that focuses on the autonomy, active participation, and quality of life of the elderly through the integration of new technologies is increasing. To address this, this study proposes an integrated model based on smart wellness based on gerontechnology that connects cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics with the daily lives of the elderly. This study logically and objectively explored the new and complex topic of aging and technology by utilizing a multi-stage exploratory design within a mixed research methodology that combines qualitative approaches and quantitative verification. In the first stage, we explored the discourse on gerontechnology through big data-based keyword network analysis and discovered 20 core topics related to smart wellness using BERTopic-based topic modeling. In the second stage, focus group interviews (FGIs) with
experts were conducted based on the results of big data analysis. Through goal-oriented discussions focused on exploration, deepening, and integration, six core operational domains were identified: healthcare, leisure and activities, emotional well-being, social interaction, technology acceptance, governance, and sustainability. This conceptual structuring process provides a basic framework for implementing smart well-being within the elderly community. In the third phase, 67 candidate performance indicators were selected based on the six domains identified through the FGI, and two rounds of Delphi surveys were conducted. Finally, a total of 57 indicators were confirmed by reflecting expert opinions on relevance, validity, and measurability. This process transforms the conceptual model into a set of empirically verified indicators, providing a quantitative evaluation framework applicable to the evaluation of smart well-being policies and programs. The implications of this study are twofold. Theoretically, it provides an academic foundation for interdisciplinary convergence by concretizing the concept of gerontology into a practical operational domain of smart wellness, bridging the gap between technology-centered discourse and human-centered values. In practice, this study clarifies the purpose and objectives of the program within the senior community environment, and presents applicable program design guidelines and performance evaluation criteria. In addition, this study presents policy recommendations to support the development of smart communities, institutionalize multi-stakeholder collaborative governance, and promote digital inclusion for seniors. However, this study has limitations in that it lacks empirical verification based on direct participation of seniors and insufficient consideration of social contextual factors such as regional characteristics. Future research should focus on empirical verification through long-term field application and refinement of the smart wellness model by integrating regional contexts and establishing an integrated policy linkage system.

국문 초록 (Abstract)

본 연구는 시너어 커뮤니티를 대상으로 제론테크놀로지 개념을 적용한 스마트 웰니스 운영모델을 체계적으로 구성하고, 이에 기반한 성과지표 체계를 마련하는 데 목적이 있다. 초고령사회로의 이행이 가속화됨에 따라 기존의 돌봄 중심 복지정책이 지니는 구조적 한계가 뚜렷하게 드러나고 있으며, 이에 대응하여 시니어의 자율성과 삶의 질을 중심에 둔 기술 융합형 복지정책으로의 전환 필요성이 지속적으로 제기되고 있다.
이를 위해 본 연구는 인공지능(AI), 사물인터넷(IoT), 로봇기술 등 첨단 기술을 시니어의 삶과 연결짓는 제론테크놀로지 기반 스마트 웰니스 모델을 제시한다. 본 연구는 에이징과 기술과 관련한 새롭고 복합적인 주제를 논리적이고 객관적으로 탐색하기 위하여 정성적 접근과 정량적 검증을 함께 수행하는 혼합연구방법론 중 다단계 탐색 설계를 활용하였다.
첫 번째 단계에서는 빅데이터 기반의 키워드 네트워크 분석으로 gerontechnology에 관한 담론을 탐색하고, BERTopic 기반의 주제 모델링을 활용하여 스마트 웰니스와 관련한 20개의 주요 주제를 도출하였다. 두번째 단계에서는 빅데이터분석을 바탕으로 전문가 포커스 그룹 인터뷰(FGI)를 진행하였다. FGI에서는 탐색, 심화, 통합의 합목적적 논의를 통하여 건강관리, 여가 및 활동, 정서적 웰빙, 사회적 상호작용, 기술 수용, 그리고 거버넌스 및 지속 가능성 등 6개의 핵심 운영 영역을 도출하였다. 이 개념적 구조화 과정은 시니어 커뮤니티 내에서 스마트 웰니스 구현을 위한 기초적인 프레임워크를 제공한다. 세번째 단계에서는 FGI에서 도출된 6개 영역을 바탕으로 67개 성과 지표 후보를 선정하고, 두 차례의 델파이 설문조사를 실시하였다. 최종적으로 성과지표의 관련성, 실행 가능성, 측정 가능성에 대한 전문가들의 의견을 반영하여 총 57개의 성과지표를 확정하였다.이 과정은 개념 모델을 실증적으로 검증된 지표로 변환함으로써 스마트 웰니스 정책과 프로그램 평가에 활용될 수 있도록 하는 정량적 평가기틀을 제공한다.
본 연구의 시사점으로는 제론테크놀로지를 스마트 웰니스 개념의 서비스 운영, 기술, 거버넌스 등 실천적 운영영역으로 구체화함으로써 기술 중심 논의와 인간 중심 가치 간의 간극을 연결하고자 학문적 융합 기반을 마련하였다는데 이론적인 함의를 가진다. 그리고, 실제 시니어 커뮤니티 환경에서 프로그램들의 목적과 목표를 명확히 설정하고, 적용 가능한 프로그램 설계 지침과 성과 평가 기준을 제시하였다. 나아가, 스마트 커뮤니티 구축, 다중 주체 기반의 협력 거버넌스 정착, 시니어의 디지털 포용을 위한 정책적 제언을 함께 제시함으로써 커뮤니티 목표와 실천적 전략을 확장하는데 도움이 되고자 하였다. 다만 본 연구는 시니어 당사자의 실질적 참여를 반영한 현장 기반의 실증적 검증이 미흡하였으며, 지역별 특성과 같은 사회적 맥락 요소를 충분히 고려하지 못하였다. 향후 연구에서는 장기적 현장 적용을 통한 실증적 검증과 지역 맥락을 반영한 스마트웰니스모델의 정교화 및 정책 연계 시스템을 개발할 필요가 있다.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 1
• Section 1. Research Background and Objectives 1
• 1. Necessity of the Study 1
• 2. Research Objectives 5
• Section 2. Scope and Structure of the Study 7
• 1. Scope of the Study 7
• 2. Structure of the Study 8
• CHAPTER 2. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND 10
• Section 1. Gerontechnology 10
• 1. Super-Aged Society 10
• 1) Definition of a Super-Aged Society 10
• 2) Governmental Strategies for the Super-Aged Society 12
• 3) Major Issues in the Super-Aged Society 14
• 2. Concept and Development of Gerontechnology 16
• 1) Concept of Gerontechnology 16
• 2) Development of Gerontechnology 18
• 3. Research Trends in Gerontechnology 20
• 1) Gerontological and Sociological Perspectives 21
• 2) Economic and Managerial Perspectives 26
• 3) Policy and Ethical Perspectives 32
• 4) Engineering Perspective 38
• 4. Policy Trends in Gerontechnology 43
• 1) Smart Healthcare and Digital Health Policies 43
• 2) Aging in Place and Smart Housing Policies 45
• 3) Policies for Enhancing Mobility and Accessibility 46
• 4) Policies for Promoting Social Inclusion and Bridging the Digital Divide 47
• 5) Trends in Gerontechnology Policies by Major Countries 48
• Section 2. Smart Wellness 51
• 1. Concept of Smart Wellness 51
• 1) Definition of Smart Wellness 51
• 2) Core Components of Smart Wellness 53
• 3) Smart Wellness and Gerontechnology 57
• 4) Concepts Similar to Smart Wellness 60
• 2. Trends in Prior Research on Smart Wellness 63
• 1) ICT-Based Health Management Systems 63
• 2) AI and Big Data Analytics-Based Personalized Wellness 65
• 3) Smart Fitness and Digital Therapeutics (DTx) 67
• 4) Technologies Supporting Mental Health and Emotional Well-being 69
• 3. Policy Trends in Smart Wellness 71
• 4. Application Areas and Case Studies of Smart Wellness 76
• 1) Healthcare and Medical Wellness 76
• 2) Smart Fitness 82
• 3) Mental Wellness & Stress Management 86
• 4) Aging & Elderly Care 92
• Section 3. Senior Community 98
• 1. Concept of Senior Community 98
• 1) Definition of Senior Community 98
• 2) Core Components of Senior Community 100
• 2. Characteristics and Types of Senior Communities 102
• 1) Characteristics of Senior Communities 102
• 2) Classification of Senior Communities 107
• 3) Senior Housing and Community Models in Advanced Economies 111
• 3. Policies Related to Senior Communities 114
• 1) Significance of Policies for Senior Communities 114
• 2) Policy Trends Related to Senior Communities 115
• 3) Technology Applications in Senior Community Policies 118
• Section 4. Tech-Driven Service Operational Model and Performance Indicators 121
• 1. Tech-Driven Service Operational Model 121
• 1) Concept of the Tech-Driven Service Operational Model 121
• 2) Characteristics of the Tech-Driven Service Operational Model 123
• 3) The Evolution of the Tech-Driven Service Operational Model 127
• 2. Performance Indicators for Tech-Driven Service 131
• 1) Concept of Performance Indicators for Tech-Driven Service 131
• 2) Composition of Performance Indicators for Tech-Driven Service 133
• CHAPTER 3. RESEARCH FRAMEWORK 139
• Section 1. Methodological Approach 139
• 1. Mixed Methods Approach 139
• 1) Concept of the Mixed Methods Approach 139
• 2) Multiphasic Exploratory Design 141
• 2. Methodological Framework 142
• 1) Phase 1: Big Data-Based Quantitative Exploration 142
• 2) Phase 2: Qualitative Conceptualization and Operational Model Development 143
• 3) Phase 3: Development of Performance Indicators Based on Expert Consensus 144
• Section 2. Structure of the Research Methodology 146
• 1. Quantitative Exploration Based on Big Data 146
• 1) Keyword Network Analysis 146
• 2) Topic Modeling 147
• 2. Qualitative Conceptualization and Operational Model Development 148
• 1) Preparatory Stage for the Focus Group Interview (FGI) 148
• 2) Implementation of the Focus Group Interview (FGI) 149
• 3. Development of Performance Indicators Based on Expert Consensus 150
• 1) Delphi Survey Preparation 150
• 2) Delphi Survey 151
• 3) Data Analysis and Finalization of Indicators 152
• CHAPTER 4. RESEARCH PROCESS AND ANALYSIS RESULTS 154
• Section 1. Quantitative Exploration Based on Big Data 154
• 1. Keyword Analysis 154
• 1) Data Collection and Preprocessing Related to "Gerontechnology" 154
• 2) Morphological Keyword Extraction 155
• 3) Term Frequency Analysis and Visualization of Keywords 156
• 4) Keyword Network Analysis 161
• 5) Key Topics Identified 165
• 2. Topic Modeling 166
• 1) Data Collection and Preprocessing for "Smart Wellness" 166
• 2) Analysis Pipeline and Hyperparameter Settings 167
• 3) BERTopic-Based Topic Modeling Process 169
• 4) Representative Documents and Content Interpretation by Topic 175
• 5) Comprehensive Interpretation of Smart Wellness Topic Modeling 183
• Section 2. Qualitative Conceptualization and Operational Model Development 185
• 1. Preparatory Steps for Expert In-Depth Interviews 185
• 1) Questionnaire Design 185
• 2) Selection of FGI Panel 187
• 2. Focus Group Interview (FGI) 189
• 1) First FGI: Exploration 193
• 2) Second FGI: Deepening 195
• 3) Third FGI: Integration and Validation 219
• Section 3. Development of Performance Indicators Based on Expert Consensus 231
• 1. Preliminary Preparation for the Delphi Survey 231
• 1) Establishment of the Delphi Evaluation Framework 231
• 2) Construction of the Delphi Survey Instrument 233
• 3) Selection of the Delphi Panel 243
• 2. Delphi Survey 245
• 1) First-Round Delphi Analysis 246
• 2) Second-Round Delphi Analysis 261
• 3. Validation of Delphi Survey Results 273
• CHAPTER 5. CONCLUSION 276
• Section 1. Summary of Research Findings 276
• 1. Gerontechnology Keyword Analysis and Smart Wellness Topic Modeling 276
• 3. Derivation of Performance Indicators 280
• Section 2. Discussion and Recommendations 282
• 1. Academic Implications 282
• 2. Practical Implications 284
• 3. Policy Recommendations 286
• Section 3. Research Limitations and Future Research Directions 288
• REFERENCES 289
• APPENDICES 357
• Appendix 1. Delphi Survey Instrument (Round 1) 357
• Appendix 1. Delphi Survey Instrument (Round 2) 367