Curriculum development of the elderly school on health promotion for the elderly, social group in Sriwilai sub-district, Sriwilai district, BuengKan Province

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to develop the elderly health promoting school curriculum and to explore the impacts of the curriculum on health of the elderly with social-bound. Participants were 50 elderly persons with social-bound, diabetes mellitus, uncontrolled high blood pressure, knee pain and having unusual condition of 2Q. Data were collected from October 2559 to May 2560 and by using the Standard of Physical Fitness Test, Mini–Mental State Examination – Thai (2002), WHOQOL–BREF–THAI and group discussions. Data were analyzed by percentage, mean and paired t-test. The results revealed that the curriculum promoted happiness of the participants in 5 aspects, including comfort, fun, joy, bright, elegance and peacefulness which the curriculum was developed from the happiness promotion framework for the elderly of Mental Health Department, Ministry of Public Health. The curriculum provided in 16 weeks leading to promote health, physical and mental, of the elderly. It could be seen that the scores of happiness after the programme were higher in all 5 aspects (comfort had the highest score) leading to ability of the elderly to control their blood pressure in the normal level (70.58%) and their sugar levels in the normal range (84.6%). Additionally, the elderly had better in their knee pain (83.3%) and had no depression (100%). It could be suggested that this health promotion approach may be an alternative way to retain the severity of diseases in the elderly and be able to do daily life activities, help their family and community. In addition, process reflection and analysis, as well as lesson learnt of the programme are needed.