The development of a self-management model to prevent falls among elders people in the community, Mueang District, Maha Sarakham Province.

Abstract

Objectives : To examine the situation Development of the model and its results of the development of the self-management model to prevent the falling of the elderly in Mueang District, Maha Sarakham.

Methods : This action research was based on Creer’s (2002) self-management model with 268 falling-risk elderlies and 50 care managers, totaling 318, as participants of the study. The study ranged from October 2022 to September 2023. The instruments were interviews, risk screening forms, risk assessment forms, Timed Up and Go Test, Elderly guide and focus group discussions. The data was analyzed using percentages, means, standard deviation, paired sample t-tests, and content analysis.

Results : In the problem situation of the elderly, there are still falls from daily life. There are some areas where there are fall prevention activities. Models for preventing falls are not yet clear. There are no guidelines for referring treatment. Including the elderly, they think that they do not need treatment . The model was called “SMART WALK Model”. After the treatment, it was found that the average duration of the three-meter walks of the elderly reduced from 14.28 to 11.42 seconds. The activities of daily living increased from 14.79 to 16.01. The environmental risk, falling prevention skill, and activities of daily living significantly increased (p-value < 0.05).

Conclusions : The prevention of the falling in the elderly requires a thorough risk assessment, awareness-raising activities for the elderly and their relatives and village health volunteers, and multidisciplinary teams improving exercising skills among the relevant individuals.