[Evaluation of a community-based preventive care program for elderly living at home]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a community-based preventive care program focused on physical and psychosocial status of frail elderly living at home.

The study had a prospective cohort design. Community-dwelling frail elderly not applying for the long-term insurance system care were assigned to a participant group (n = 71), wishing to participate in the community-based preventive care program, and a non-participant group (n = 40) who did not have the intention. The care program included activities and health education for elderly to promote their social contacts. Outcome variables were Activities of Daily Living (FIM), upper extremity function, time required for a 1.5 meter walk, health complaints, cognitive function (MMSE), psychological Quality of Life (QOL), depression (GDS), modified fall-related self efficacy (MFES), self efficacy for health promotion (SEHP), and social network. Data were collected prior to and at 6 months and 12 months after the intervention.

1. At the baseline, the number of female (P = .033) and B day service use (P = .001) in the participant group was significantly greater, and the number reporting falls (P = .017) and A day service use (P = .014) was lower than the non-participant group. MMSE (P = .032), MFES (P = .001), and SEHP scores (P = .017) as well as the social network values (P = .022) in the participant group were significantly higher than for the non-participant group. 2. The participants demonstrated significant effectiveness in the MMSE scores (P = .002) during the follow-up period, values after both 6-months (P = .002) and 12-months (P = .005) follow-up, being lower than in the non-participant group. 3. The participant group also demonstrated significant effectiveness in the GDS score (P = .033) during the study period, their values being lower after 12-months (P = .070) than in the other group.

The results indicated that the community-based preventive care program to the elderly could effect on cognitive function and depression.