“Yang Yued Hansa” (Fun Elastic Bands): Health Innovation for Fall Prevention among the Elderly

Abstract

Falling causes injuries to the elderly as well as loss of ability to balance and self-care they might be hospitalized for a long period of time. It also affects families in terms of medical costs and may cause psychological problems. For the situation regarding falls of the elderly in the community in Huai Yang subdistrict, Khon San district, and Ban Thaen subdistrict, Ban Thaen district, Chaiyaphum province, using a screening for the risk of falls (TUGT), it was found that the risks of falling were at 20.49 percent in Huai Yang subdistrict and 21.77 percent in Ban Thaen subdistrict, respectively. Therefore, a health innovation named “Fun Elastic Band” was developed. This is a concept that applies resistance exercise that helps strengthen muscles and bones, and stimulates effective limb movement. This development process includes brainstorming, developing the innovation with materials and equipment found in the community, and designing the postures for exercises that are consistent with the context and needs of the elderly. The aim is to lead to a healthy body and to be a guideline for developing health innovations through the cooperation of the community, resulting in good health and effective prevention of falls among the elderly.