The Process of Health Partnership for the Elderly Osteoarthritis in Phitaktham Community, Tumbon Samrongtai, Phrapadaeng District, Samut Prakarn Province

Abstract

This action research was to study condition, process and the result of the process of health partnership for the elderly osteoarthritis. The participants consisted of the 35 elderly people who live in Phitaktham community, Samrong Tai Sub-district Phrapradaeng District, Samut Prakarn Province. The participants were, caregivers, nurses, Thai traditional medical officers, community leaders, village health volunteers and health personnel at Poochaosamingprai Municipality. Data collection were carried out by using the interviews, the questions via focus groups and participatory observations. Data analysis was performed by using paired t-test and content analysis The results showed the condition that was significantly associated with behavioral care for the elderly were age, knee pain, and efficient life styles. For the caregivers, the conditions were the sufficient income and the recognition of the severity of osteoarthritis affecting the elderly. The role of stakeholders that may affect osteoarthritis were 1) health personnel should treat symptoms and give advice, but shouldn’t give monetary funds. 2)health personnel know about the problems of osteoarthritis, but the village, community don’t have the information or skills to help. 3) caregivers only focused on medication, diet, doctors visits and encouraging the elderly to look after themselves, which is clearly not enough. To solve these problems the involvements mutually decided to help elderly osteoarthritis by; 1) form a health partnership to help plan activities, 2) create a support system, 3) evaluate the activities and there use, 4) create a continuity plan, record and discuss about activities. The activities emerged from their help included, joint exercise, herbal wraps and a home visit with a care manual for osteoarthritis. The following points from their participations were; the patients significantly perceived to recognize their problems and had more care behaviors, the weight of these patients significantly decreased, the joint pain, jamming also significantly decreased. And finally the caregivers significantly increased their perceptions and had more care behaviors to the osteoarthritis.