The Effectiveness of a Health Promotion Program for the Low-Income Elderly in Taipei, Taiwan

This study assessed the effectiveness of a health promotion program for low-income elderly provided by trained low-income home health aides. Indicators of the effectiveness of this program included improvement in physical health, psychosocial health and functional status, including activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) as well as changes in perceived health promotion needs. This evaluation study used a single group pre- and post-test experiment design. After informed consent forms were signed by participants, 89 purposively selected low-income elderly (aged 64-96) completed pre-test structured surveys, while 60 participants (aged 68-96) completed post-test surveys. Post-test scores indicated improved nutritional status (paired t = 2.64, p < .05) and chore management of IADL abilities (paired t = 2.83, p < .01). No significant difference in psychosocial status were found between pre- and post-test scores. Perceived needs for health promotion services decreased after the intervention. The results show that the health promotion services were effective in improving health status and decreasing perceived needs for services among low-income elderly in Taipei. Recommendations based on this study for developing services for the low-income elderly must take health promotion intervention into consideration.