A Model for the Rehabilitation of Older People with Mobility Disabilities by Village Health Volunteers

Abstract

This action research aimed to study a model of the rehabilitation for the older people with mobility disabilities by Village Health Volunteers (VHVs). Sample included 8 people from multidisciplinary who were caring for the elderly, 13 older persons who were living with mobility disability, and 30 village health volunteers. Purposive sampling was applied. Research instrument consisted of 1) Barthel Index for Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and 2) anecdotal record form which content validity was confirmed with IOC, yielding values between  0.67-1.00. The rehabilitation program was designed by medical practitioners and physiotherapists. Coaching was used to supervise the VHVs for a 4-week period. Supervision was practiced once a week for 6 months. Results were as follows.

The 4 steps in the model for rehabilitation of older people with mobility disabilities by VHVs were: 1) assessment, 2) skills and process development, 3) rehabilitation process improvement, and 4) rehabilitation skills sharing.  The mean score of village health volunteers rehabilitation skills at the fourth week of the program were significantly higher than those at the return demonstration period (p<.001). The mean score of the older people with movement disability ADL after the program were significantly higher than those before participating the program (p<.001). Health personnel might continue to use the rehabilitation program for other types of elderly disabled people.