Development of self-care model for elderly people at risk of diabetes in Uttaradit Province

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Objective: This research aims to study the current situation and factors affecting self-care behavior of the elderly, to develop a self-care model appropriate for the elderly based on lifestyle, culture, and community context, and to evaluate the self-care model, measure blood sugar levels, waist circumference, nd quality of life of the elderly at risk of developing diabetes in Uttaradit Province.
Study Design: This research, Participatory Action Research (PAR), focused on studying the effects of activities based on self-care patterns for the elderly at risk of diabetes by applying Pander’s health promotion theory. The research instruments were a questionnaire to assess the health of the elderly, an in-depth interview, a behavioral observation record, and a focus group discussion. Both quantitative and
qualitative data (Mixed Methods) were analyzed to obtain complete data that accurately reflected the self-care behaviors of the elderly. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the frequency and percentage of health behaviors. The arithmetic means and standard deviations of health behavior scores were calculated. Blood sugar levels and waist circumferences were compared before and after participating in the activities. The study was conducted in a group of 60 elderly people at risk of diabetes using purposive sampling in the area under the responsibility of Ban Dan Nakham Subdistrict, Mueang District, Uttaradit Province.
Results: The results of the study found that the elderly at risk of diabetes in Uttaradit Province had self-care behaviors that combined personal experiences, health theories, and their own lifestyle contexts. The self-care patterns of the elderly emphasized eating nutritious foods, especially growing their own vegetables, eating mainly vegetables, fish, not drinking alcohol, and not smoking. They emphasized mental health by doing group activities together, such as doing hobbies, listening to music, exercising together, and exercising regularly in their daily lives, such as gardening, cycling, and walking. They lived
a traditional lifestyle by cooking their own food and choosing to eat local food. The main way of traveling in the village was walking or cycling.
Conclusions: The results of the implementation of the self-care model for the elderly with a risk of diabetes
in Uttaradit Province clearly had a positive effect on the health of the elderly. The mean score of health behaviors after implementing the self-care model by each aspect was at a very good level, including exercise, with a mean score of 4.87 (S.D. = .345), eating vegetables, with a mean score of 4.83 (S.D. = .379), smoking, with a mean score of 4.67 (S.D. = .884), physical health examination, with a mean score of 4.57 (S.D. = .774), and drinking alcohol/alcoholic beverages, with a mean score of 4.53 (S.D. = .730). As for other health behaviors, they were at a good level. It was found that 52 elderly people (86.7%) had lower blood sugar levels and returned to normal, with a mean score of 4.28 (S.D. = .268), which was a significant increase.