In 2023, TUL will continue its presence in Dawu, Taitung, collaborating with the Digital Humanitarian Association. Based on the health survey and evaluation results of the elderly in the region, high blood pressure, degenerative arthritis, and heart palpitations were identified as the top three health issues. The actual course arrangements are as follows:
1. The support base hosts fixed classes every Friday from 10-11 a.m., which have garnered enthusiastic attendance. These classes primarily focus on dynamic activities like aerobic exercise and muscle strength improvement. As the program progresses, more static health education classes will be introduced, employing interactive course designs to enhance the elderly's engagement.
2. The elderly have established initial fitness habits, but as they age, they are prone to back pain, numbness in hands and feet, and an increased risk of falls and fractures. Muscle strength-building courses have been implemented to address these concerns, aligning with the elders' preferences. As autumn and winter approach, acupuncture courses such as joint care, and promoting blood circulation are offered, supplemented by nutrition and health education on muscle loss.
3. Monthly health mentor care is introduced to provide tailored courses, counseling, and consultations to meet the health needs of the elderly. This initiative aims to strengthen connections and companionship through monthly care, offering professional resource support and a sense of security for the elderly in rural communities, especially those without nearby family support.
4. Accessibility to medical resources has significantly increased. The project has diversified the pool of professional lecturers, expanding the range of health education topics available to the elderly. This not only imparts valuable health knowledge but also enhances access to medical care resources in rural areas, making healthcare more convenient for the elderly.
Additionally, an online interactive discussion and exchange platform has been established for real-time communication between community workers, fostering mutual exchange and learning. After participating in intensive caregiver skills courses, base workers demonstrated improved caregiving abilities and knowledge, with post-test scores surpassing pre-test results. Notably, improvements were observed in caring knowledge, caregiving abilities, understanding of the elderly's health status, and communication skills. The outcomes of this project include:
1. Cultivation of stable and healthy daily habits among the elderly, promoting increased self-health awareness and knowledge.
2. Significant enhancement of medical resource accessibility at the base, implementing a preventive approach to daily health management and indirectly reducing the occurrence of acute events in the elderly.
3. Improvement in work efficiency and care knowledge of community workers, along with enhanced communication skills with the elderly, establishing them as reliable supporters in the community./p>
