Caring for the Dependent Elderly at the Center for Elderly Care at Waeng Sub-District Health Promotion Hospital, Kradian Subdristric, Trakan Phuet Phon District, Ubon Ratchathani Province

Abstract

The research objectives were to study the care for the elderly with participatory dependency, and to study the effect of changes in activities of daily living (ADLs or ADL) after elderly care, as well as to study the level of satisfaction after the care. It was conducted as a participatory action research, beginning with the assessment of the problems and the needs to promote the health of the elderly, followed by planning and setting-up a dependency care center for the elderly based on the participation of the network members of Kradian Subdistrict, Trakan Phuet Phon District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. The provision of care was planned by using the PDCA process. Data were collected through group discussion, problem tree tools, ADL assessment form, satisfaction assessment form, in-depth interview, and participatory observation. It was found that participatory care for the elderly, or the so-called Waeng model had resulted the consistency and continuity of care for dependent elderly persons. As a result, after care has changed the level of dependency. The elderly were categorized into 4 groups based on their dependency status, from the low level (group 1 to high level (group 4). The ADL for each group was compared before and after the care. It was found that group 1 had a change of ADL from 10.36 before the care to 10.78 points after receiving care; from 8.23 to 8.50 points for group 2; from 6.00 to 6.33 points for group 3, and from 4.00 to 4.00 points for group 4. The favorable increase in ADL was consistent with the results of the satisfaction assessment which found a very good grade point average for all questions after the provision of care. The results of the qualitative data collected from in-depth interviews and participatory observation also revealed positive feedback. Thus, the center for elderly care of Waeng Sub–District Health Promotion Hospital could efficiently manage the community care for the elderly in accordance with the plan.