Effects of the Health Promotion Model Development Program on the Quality of Life of the Elderly using Local Wisdom and Ways of Life

OBJECTIVES: This quasi-experimental design aims to study effects of the health promotion model development program on the quality of life (QOL) of the elderly using local wisdom and ways of life MATERIALS AND METHODS: Health promotion model, development program, and QOL of the elderly using local wisdom. The way of life consists of 1) food according to nutritional principles that are local foods; 2) exercise using local materials or games; and 3) stress management that is consistent with the religion and cultural beliefs of the community. The sample group consisted of elderly people aged ≥ 60 years in Bang Khla District Chachoengsao Province, divided into intervention groups, and a control group of 30 people per group. Data were collected using questionnaires for the period from July 2022 to February 2023. Chi-square and Paired Samples T-test comparing results before and after within the experimental group (EG) and Independent Samples T-test. RESULTS: The study found the elderly benefitted, in terms of health and QOL, when applying wisdom and ways of life. Food consumption in the experimental group (EG) (2.80 ± 0.31) and in the control group (CG) (4.06 ± 0.27), exercise in EG (1.86 ± 0.77) and CG (4.54 ± 0.25), and mental and spiritual health in the EG (2.60 ± 0.39) and CG (3.76 ± 0.49), when tested statistically, they were significantly different at p < 0.001 level in terms of QOL of the EG (2.88 ± 0.67) and CG (3.92 ± 0.84) significantly different at p < 0.001 level. CONCLUSION: From the results of the study, it is recommended that the primary health service system apply activities for the elderly to promote health and develop QOL using local wisdom and ways of life.