The Development of a Health Literacy Promotion Model for the Elderly to Prevent Dementia in the Area of Ban Nong Ra Wiang Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital, Phayakkhaphum Phisai District, Maha Sarakham Province

Abstract

Background and Aims: Thailand has entered an aging society, with more than 20% of the population being elderly in 2024, and it is projected that by 2031, Thailand will reach the highest level of an aging society, with over 28% of the population being elderly. Elderly individuals over the age of 65 often face dementia. Promoting health literacy among the elderly to prevent dementia is a method that can enhance the elderly’s ability to care for their health. Developing and enhancing people's potential encompasses fostering health literacy. Therefore, the researcher is interested in developing a health literacy enhancement model to prevent dementia in the elderly, with the objectives of 1) studying the current problems and health literacy for dementia prevention in the elderly; 2) developing a health literacy enhancement model for preventing dementia in the elderly; and 3) studying the effectiveness of the health literacy enhancement model for preventing dementia in the elderly.

Methodology: This action research comprised four steps: (1) Planning; (2) Action; (3) Observation; and (4) Reflection. The sample group consisted of 102 elderly individuals aged 60 and above, without dementia, selected through purposive sampling. The research involved 20 stakeholders. Data was collected using general information questionnaires, health literacy, and health behavior surveys for dementia prevention. The data were analyzed using qualitative data, descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and the Paired t-test.

Results: The results indicated that (1) the health literacy and health behaviors of the elderly for dementia prevention in the sample group had a pre-test average at a sufficient level with some correct practices (M = 80.15, SD = 11.62), and health behaviors were at a moderate level (M = 42.35, SD = 6.87). After the intervention, the average health literacy and health behaviors were at a sufficient level with some correct practices (M = 89.34, SD = 10.45), and health behaviors were at a high level (M = 50.09, SD = 6.87). When analyzing the differences in the average scores on knowledge about dementia prevention in the elderly before and after the intervention, it was found that the experimental group’s knowledge about dementia in the elderly was significantly higher after the intervention at the 0.05 level (t = 3.213, p = 0.003). (2) The attitudes of village health volunteers (VHV) towards dementia in the elderly in the sample group showed that the pre-test average attitude score about dementia in the elderly was (M = 60.76, SD = 9.82) and the post-test average attitude score was (M = 72.16, SD = 10.62). The average attitude score after the intervention was significantly higher at the 0.05 level (P-value < 0.05). Regarding knowledge of health care to prevent dementia in the elderly, the sample group of VHVs had a pre-test average health behavior score for dementia prevention at a sufficient level with some correct practices (M = 68.15, SD = 12.26), and after the intervention, the score was at a good level with some correct practices (M = 84.15, SD = 10.45). (3) When analyzing the differences in the average scores of health care knowledge for dementia prevention in the elderly among the VHVs before and after the intervention, it was found that the experimental group’s knowledge on health care for dementia prevention in the elderly was significantly higher at the 0.05 level (t = 2.324, p = 0.001).

Conclusion: The health literacy enhancement model for long-term dementia prevention among the elderly, with family and community participation, revealed that a significant approach to care is the participation process of the family as the primary caregiver. They should possess skills and knowledge in promoting the health of the elderly. Village health volunteers in the community play a role in home visits and reporting health status information. The model of dementia prevention among the elderly through the participation of family health volunteers can be applied and implemented in various contexts or developed for other similar target groups.