Effectiveness of a Community-Based Elderly Care Model for Dementia Prevention in Khok Yang Subdistrict, Kantang District, Trang Province

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an elderly care model for dementia prevention by community participation in the catchment area of Koke Yang Sub-district Health Promoting Hospital (SDHPH), Kantang District, Trang Province. Methods: This research was a quasi-experimental study research with a pretest and posttest design in a single group of subject. The subjects were 50 elderlies aged 60and older residing in the villages within the catchment area of Koke Yang SDHPH. The study was conducted from June to December 2024. Main activities in the elderly care model for dementia prevention included: 1) Relationship-building activities such as screening and health checks for elderly, providing knowledge on elderly care to prevent dementia, and creating an exercise network using loincloth (Pha Khao Ma), 2) Home visit activities for elderly in the community, as well as buddy activities for elderly, and 3) Exercise activities for dementia prevention. Data collection tools included the Thai Mini-Mental State Examination (TMSE-Thai), a dementia knowledge test, and a dementia prevention behavior assessment. The study assessed the outcomes before the intervention and after implementing the intervention for 6 weeks. Results: Average score on brain function after implementing the elderly care model for dementia prevention were statistically significant higher than that measured before the intervention (29.10±1.58 and 28.25±1.89, respectively; P<0.05). Average scores on dementia knowledge (13.92±1.07 and 8.72±6.29, respectively; P<0.05), and dementia prevention behavior (2.14±0.35 and 1.96±0.19, respectively; P<0.05) shared the change. Conclusion: Community participation plays a crucial role in empower the elderly for self-care. Relevant parties could apply the model in this study to implement an elderly care model in other community contexts.