[The effect of a health diary program in solitary elderly]

Abstract

Purpose: This study was to develop and to evaluate a health diary program for solitary elderly.

Methods: The research design was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. There were 30 subjects the experimental group and 54 in the control group among solitary elderly over age 65. The independent variable was the health diary program, and the dependent variables were perceived health status, ADL, IADL, Blood pressure, blood sugar, quality of life, self efficacy and health promoting behaviors. The health diary program was performed for 50 minutes, twice a week for 8 weeks. Data was collected from April 3 to June 23, 2006.

Results: The experimental group showed a significant difference in perceived health status, blood sugar, ADL, IADL, quality of life, self efficacy, and health promotion behaviors than the control group. There were no significant differences in systolic & diastolic blood pressure.

Conclusion: A health diary program showed good effects on improving health status, quality of life, self efficacy, and health promotion behaviors. Therefore, we recommend this program be utilized as a health promoting program for the solitary elderly in the community.