The effect of a multicomponent intervention and exercise calender for falls prevention and improve quality of life among the elderly in Nakornnayok Thailand

Abstract

Falls among the elderly caused by many factors and situations. The researcher has identified falls risk factors, and these were commonly grouped as either intrinsic factors (related to the elderly themselves, such as a history of fall, fear of falling, muscle weakness, poor balance) and extrinsic (outside of the individual, hazard environmental, polypharmacy use). Elderly who had fallen may suffer, injuries, disability affecting the quality of life of the elderly. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a multicomponent and exercise calendar to prevent falls and improve quality of life among the elderly people in Nakornnayok province, Thailand. This study was a quasi-experimental study among 100 elderly people. Fifty from Tambon Paka, Banna District, Nakornnayok Province were in the intervention group and 50 elderly people from Tambon Saimoon, Ongkarak District, Nakornnayok Province were in control group. Six months intervention program included 1) health education regarding risk of falling, how to prevent falls, exercise to improve muscle strength and balance, 2) community meeting for sharing experience of falls prevention among elderly people and family, 3) home-based exercise and record in exercise calendar, and 4) home visiting for following exercise at homes, barriers to exercise, and home & environment modification. The results revealed that muscle strength and balance, falls risk perception, and quality of life increased and fear of falling decreased significantly among the intervention group. Moreover, falls rate among the intervention less than the control group after intervention. The study found that the multicomponent and exercise calendar can prevent falls and improve quality of life among the elderly people.