Effectiveness of a Fall Prevention Program in the Elderly, Tharua Sub-district, Mueang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

Abstract

          The elderly Thai population is increasing statistically. Fall is a high risk factor which is the cause of injury, death and psychosocial problems among elderly people. This research was a participatory action research.The objective is to develop a program to prevent falls of the elderly among Village No.16, Tharuea Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. It uses participatory action research process as a mechanism to develop, support and promote the community to participate in the program for preventing falls of individuals in family and community. The first target group consisting of 17 elderly caregivers. The second target group consisted of 17 volunteers who live in the area of Tharua Subdistrict selected through purposive sampling and were conducted using interviews. The research instruments consisted of an interview form to elicit personal information, knowledge, information pertaining to internal environmental management. Data were analyzed before and after the program was given for both groups. A software package was employed for data analysis by using descriptive statistics and chi-square. Results revealed that the knowledge level of the elderly caregivers and of the volunteers before and after receiving the fall prevention program in the elderly were not significantly different at .05 (t = -3.795, P-value < 0.00; & (t = -2.222, P-value < .05, respectively). This can result in less falling accidents in the elderly's home. After the experiment, it was found that the accident rate of falls in the area in the sample group decreased at .05 level of statistical significance. However the fall Prevention Program can be applied in the Elderly who live in areas similar Tharuea Subdistrict contextual environment.