Assessment of a community-based health program for the elderly: implications for future initiatives

• Main Author: Masulit, Saniata P.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1998
• Subjects: Medical care > Needs assessment; Health planning; Aged; Social service; Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/1911
• Institution: De La Salle University

The study is an assessment of the viability, effectiveness, and sustainability of the community-based program for the elderly established by the Coalition of Services of the Elderly, Inc. in Pasadena, San Juan, Metro Manila. Using document review and key informant interview, the study examined the basis for the formulation of the program, the services provided, the extent to which these services have met the needs of the target beneficiaries, as well as the program's sustainability. Fifty-six randomly selected older persons in Pasadena were interviewed to determine their knowledge, attitude, and behavior with regard to the health program. The effects of the program on their health and well-being were determined as well. Results showed that the health program was conceptualized based on the elderly's need for readily available health care. Findings also indicated that the respondents had poor knowledge of what the health program and its services are. Respondents were in favor of the program's services because of their economic accessibility. Physical accessibility of health services was found to be a significant factor in the respondent's health care access. The study revealed that the health program was answering the health needs of its target beneficiaries fairly well. Program users found the program's services available, accessible, affordable, and satisfactory. It also appeared that the program did not only impact on health it also helped develop the older person's self-confidence through the socialization activities the program provided. Yet, data indicated that the health program failed to pursue health promotion and disease prevention. The study results pointed out the program's potential for sustainability in terms of the elderly's participation. However, mechanisms have to be devised and implemented to ensure that the program gets sustained funding as well as supply of service providers for more frequent outreach services and specialized medical services.