The effect of the family-centered empowerment model on the quality of life of the elderly

Abstract

Background: Dotage is an important period of human life and considering the problems and needs of this period is regarded as a social necessity. Considering the specific needs of this period, it is of vital importance to pay proper attention to family based empowerment and the quality of life among elderly, an issue that is mostly ignored. Objective: This study was performed to assess the effect of family centered empowerment model on quality of life among Charmahal-Bakhtiari elderly people. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study conducted on 60 aged people in 2007-2008. The study population was randomly (Stratified Sampling) divided into two experimental (30) and control (30) groups. Family centered empowerment model was administrated to the individual of experimental group for 3months and later the level of quality of life was measured in two groups at the beginning and the end of the study using SF-36 questionnaire. Data were analyzed using chi-square and nonparametric tests. Findings: The mean score obtained for the quality of life in control group was 41.71. The pair test analysis showed that using the family centered empowerment model caused an increase in mean level of quality of life (75.46) in experimental group and the difference between two groups was found to be significant, statically (p