Health needs assessment of physical therapy for the elderly in suburban of Bangkok after flooding in 2011

Abstract

This study explored the health needs assessment of physical therapy for the elderly in suburban of Bangkok after flooding in 2011. Questionnaires were completed by 296 elderly persons, out of total number of 1,135. The in-depth interview focused on assessment of the health needs for 25 elderly persons. The data analysis included: percentages, frequency and content analysis. The questionnaire classified participation of personal data, the Barthel index of activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and health needs. There were 2.78 percent of the elderly which fully depended in performance in activities of daily living (ADL). And 7.54 percent of the elderly which fully depended in performed by a person who is living independently in a community. Found during health needs assessment of physical therapy: 1) Thirty percent of the elderly need to get knowledge how to care the dependent patients such as hemiplegic, paraplegic and quadriplegic 2) Eighteen percent of the elderly need to get knowledge how to improve the health of the independent elderly with illness such as back pain, neck pain and knee pain 3) Seventeen percent of the elderly need to get knowledge how to improve the health of healthy elderly. These result will enable the physical therapist to plan and deliver the most effective care to those in greatest need, ensure that resources are allocated where they can give maximum health benefit and work in collaboration with the community, other professionals and agencies to determine which health issues causes greatest concern, plan interventions to address those issues and achieve sustainability.