Effects of a Health Promotion Empowerment Program Using a Resident Volunteer as a Lay Health Leader on Frail Elders' Health and Empowerment

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study has been conducted to develop and examine a health promotion empowerment program using a lay health leader for frail elderly. METHODS: The research was organized in a nonequivalent control group pre-post test design. Data collection was performed from August 18 to October 8, 2015. The subjects included 76 frail elders aged over 65 registered in home visiting services (Experimental group=39, Control group=37). A health promotion empowerment program using a resident volunteer as a lay health leader was run for 8 weeks. Health factors (health promotion behavior, perceived health status and frailty) and empowerment factors (empowerment, social participation) were assessed. The data were analyzed by using the SPSS/WIN 18.0 program. RESULTS: After the program, health promotion behavior, perceived health status and social participation increased in the experimental group more significantly than in the control group, but frailty decreased in the experimental group greater than in the control group. CONCLUSION: The health promotion empowerment program using a resident volunteer as a lay health leader was effective. Therefore, the health promotion empowerment program needs to be expanded to other frail elders. Also, a health leader should be recommended as a public health resource and systematically managed.