Development of learning program to delay and prevent dementia for Elderly in Clubs: Health Area 7 Thailand

Abstract

Thailand has attained the status of an aging society. Nervous system degeneration is an important problem. The elderly club is one crucial policy to enhance the quality of life and health promotion. Health promotion for elderly in clubs is important to help slow down deterioration. This study aimed to development and evaluate learning program to delay and prevent dementia for elderly in clubs: health area 7 Thailand. A research and development was conducted by developed the model with leaders of 8 elderly’s clubs in 4 provinces of the Health Area 7 Thailand and applied the program to 210 elderly students in all 8 elderly’s clubs 6 months. Health behaviors and brain condition using abbreviated mental test (AMT) before and after program were compared using the Paired t-test. Learning program to delay and prevent dementia for elderly in clubs: health area 7 Thailand which consisted of 5 plans: 1) exercise 2) brain training 3)happiness mental and emotional health 4) nutrition and 5) sleep was developed. Mean age (minimum-maximum) of the subjects was 68.50 ± 5.18 years (60 - 85 years), mostly females 86.2% and 46.7% had underlying diseases, with hypertension , followed by diabetes mellitus. Most of the education had primary school (89.5%). When comparing weight, waist circumference, health behaviors, and AMT scores before and after implementing the program found that body weight after using the program not significant different. Waist circumference tends to decrease. Health behaviors statistically significantly increased. Brain condition by mean of Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT) significantly increased (p-value<0.05). The risk of dementia decreased from 22.9% to 9.5% (p-value<0.05). Leaders in the elderly ‘s clubs were satisfied with the program and recommendations. This program was effective in delaying/preventing dementia. A policy plan should be applied to other clubs and expanded to those who do not attend the elderly clubs in the future.