Development of an Active Ageing Model among the Older Adults in Rural Community

Abstract

               This action research aimed to 1) identify factors influencing to active aging among the older adult in rural community, 2) develop an active aging model, and 3) evaluate the effectiveness of active aging model. The 3 steps of action research including 1) look phase, 2) think phase, and 3) act phase were conducted. The first step of look phase was performed by quantitative data collection in 200 older adults. Data were analyzed by multiple regression analysis. The result from phase 1 was connected to phase 2 (Think phase) which used nominal group technique among 14 stakeholders. A weighted ranking method was used to analyze data. In addition, phase 3 was used quantitative methods for data collection among the 2 groups (30 older adults per group) that was received the translation of active aging model in practice and the usual group. Data were collected by the questionnaire and were analyzed by Independent t-test and paired t-test.     

               The result reveled that education above a secondary level, people come to meet the senior citizen, the older adults go out to meet other people, and age influenced of active aging, which accounted for 13.40% (R² = .13, F = 6.03). The active aging model of the older adult in rural community develop to Comprehensive Active Aging Model was consonant with the component of active aging that was proposed by World Health Organization that composed of health, participation, and security. The component of security it was found that sense of belongings which is the feeling of minded security was added. Furthermore, the evaluation of the effectiveness of active aging model, it was found that the older adult who received the active aging activities was significantly higher score of active aging than the comparison group who received the usual activities at p<0.05. The comprehensive active aging model can be applied to practice in the rural area.