Model Development for Health Promotion of the Elderly in Ratanaburi District, Surin Province

Abstract

The objectives of this action research were to 1) study health promotion context among elderly, 2) develop a model to promote quality of life among the elderly, and 3) evaluate the model factors affecting achievements in implementing the model to promote health among elderly in Ratanaburi district, Surin province. Samples were 330 elderly, 50 elderly caregivers, and 50 persons relating to the process, all selected through purposive sampling technique. Data were analyzed using percentages, means, standard deviations, t-tests and content analysis. Results showed that the development process was consisted of 6 steps: 1) studying the primary data and areas’ contexts, 2) conducting the meetings for operation planning, 3) setting the operational plan, 4) implementation, 5) supervision, and 6) evaluation. Health promotion model for elderly in the community was consisted of: 1) health promotion activities, 2) community knowledge transfer, and 3) building morale for the elderly. The overall participations of all parties were at a high level ( =3.85, SD=0.81), while their satisfactions were at a high level ( =3.92, SD=0.61). Caregivers’ knowledge was at a moderate level (82.0%). After the use of the model, the overall life quality of the elderly was at a moderate level ( =83.60, SD=8.99) with a high satisfaction level ( =3.89, SD=0.56). When comparing the elderly’s quality of life between before and after the use of the model, it was found that their quality of life has significantly improved at p=0.05. Success factors included continuous participations from all parties in every level to ensure the development of a stable and sustainable health promotion model for the elderly.