Thai Older People’s Willingness (Intention) to Participate in a Care Prevention, Community Group Exercise Program: An Assessment before Implementing an Intervention Trial in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand

Abstract

Background: Sustainability of a current family-based long-term care model in Thailand has been challenged by demographic aging, and the rising burden of non-communicable diseases and age-related morbidities. In order to overcome these challenges, a community-integrated intermediary care (CIIC) service model, including functional training as one of the interventions, was introduced. To increase program uptake and adherence, it is vital to understand the facilitators and barriers for joining this group exercise. Therefore, we aimed to explore the determinants of older adults’ willingness to participate in it. Methods: A total of 1509 participants from an intervention arm of a cluster randomized trial were interviewed with a structured questionnaire. A descriptive analysis and binary logistic regression were applied. Results: More than half of participants (51.4%) were willing to join community-based care prevention, functional training exercise program. Significant associated motivators were being of younger age, female, married, working seniors, original community residents, having (regular and irregular) exercise habits, history of a fall in the last six months, needs for walking aids and secondary caregivers. Conclusion: Our findings highlighted both personal and social factors motivated old people to access health promotion activities. It might help design or implement effective programs to promote healthy aging among community-dwelling seniors in Thailand. This research is analysis of baseline results from a Community Integrated Intermediary Care project. TCTR20190412004.

Estimating Service Demand for Intermediary Care at a Community Integrated Intermediary Care Center among Family Caregivers of Older Adults Residing in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand

“…As a result, housing estate residents, who are economically advantaged and keen to stay privately may select private and luxury facilities. Nonetheless, another study noted a similar finding of original community residents being more inclined to participate in a community group exercise program where they can share community resources, with a sense of social security in their environment [ 34 ].…”

Promoting the Wellness of Older Adults through Integrated Health-Promoting Programs and Supportive Peers: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Semi-Urban Communities of Northeastern Thailand

“…Older adults who were educated, had sufficient income, had less morbidity, and were socially-bounded were more likely to engage in activities outside the home than the home-bounded people, who often relied on others when traveling and spent most of their time resting and sleeping. 26 , 27 , 38 , 51 , 52 …”

“…Most intervention programs developed by researchers focus on increasing the knowledge and developing the skills of family caregivers, such as by providing information, skills training, and home visits. 24 - 27 These studies have used theories and concepts such as the Transitional Care Model, Orem’s Self Care Deficit Nursing Theory, and the Chronic Care Model. 28 - 30 The limitations of the programs presented in related studies may stem from their focus on the individual level, for example, family caregivers, rather than the family and community system, including the whole family as a unit.…”

Effectiveness of a community-integrated intermediary care (CIIC) service model to enhance family-based long-term care for Thai older adults in Chiang Mai, Thailand: a cluster-randomized controlled trial TCTR20190412004

“…In the CIIC model, the technique and devices were offered from the research, but community members decided everything else. Practically, it promoted autonomy, civic participation, and dignity of the older persons [ 39 ]. CIIC applied community empowerment for launching care prevention exercise to prevent frailty.…”