A Care Model for Older Adults with Chronic Disease among Village Health Volunteers

Abstract

This qualitative research aimed to synthetize what would be a care model for older people with chronic disease among village health volunteers. Participants were 11 older persons and 14 village health volunteers. Snow-ball sampling was applied. Data were collected using in-depth interview. The data were analyzed using content analysis. The three processes conducted were: 1) finding the needs of care among the older adults, 2) finding the best possible health village volunteers role in caring for the older adults, and 3) synthesis of a model for the older people care by village health volunteers. The results showed that the demands of older people with chronic disease from village health volunteers were 1) to advise on specific  diet for daily living, as well as how to take the medicine safely, 2) to provide massage in case  of muscle pain, 3) to give initial assessment on illness, and 4) to be friends. And the process of learning to develop and create a network for the elder care was the 3As model, consisting of Assessment- Analysis-Action in Participation.

This research suggests that the 3As Care Model has a positive impact on the learning development of care for the older adults who have to live with chronic diseases, as well as on family involvement in solving problems and self-reliance. Hence, the health personnel should adopt this model to develop health care system in other dimensions to cover the care of all age groups and should expand to other communities.