Training of Mexican elders as health promoters: a qualitative study

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to analyze the repercussion of a training program in gerontological health promotion addressed to senior citizens in a rural area in Mexico. The impact of the program was examined at two levels: first, with regard to the development of specific practices relating to primary health care and to the actual implementation of community health programs and, second, through the interpretive analysis of bodily inscriptions in the participants. Results gave evidence of a gradual empowering process among the elderly health promoters who consistently developed a position of responsibility and autonomy regarding the control of their lives and, at the same time, an increasingly open critical attitude with regard to the social role ascribed to them by the community. Furthermore, the knowledge, sense of and meanings that operated on the significant practices of the participants were consistently determined by the extent of their social capital and habitus. It was important to note that the intervention research program did not lead to permanent changes in the participants' habitus, whereas their main effects were associated to a greater consolidation of social support networks and to the acquisition of a salient position in their community given the symbolic cultural capital that represented having obtained an official certification. To conclude, a diversity of outcomes was evident in the participants as a result of the intervention program, depending on their personal biographies, social and cultural capitals, and on their particular positions within their community.

Efficacy of Government-Sponsored Community Health Programs for Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Published Evaluation Studies

“…This observation was also supported by one of the few studies to contrast evaluations of alternative programs, finding that participants in the PACE program had better outcomes than participants in another, less intensive, US federal program providing only coordination of care [21]. Narrowly-targeted interventions aimed at specific risks such as fall prevention [48][49][50][51] and suicide prevention [53] also appeared to have positive impacts. There was less evidence in support of educational programs in terms of impacting health outcomes.…”

“…Other community health programs with more limited scope included health visitation and screening programs [38][39][40][41][42][43], mental health service programs [44], vaccination programs [45,46], meal programs [24,25,47], and prevention of specific health problems including falls [48][49][50][51], hypertension [37,52], and suicide [53]. Finally, less comprehensive and timelimited community health programs including education and fitness classes accounted for 18 of the programs evaluated (31.0%).…”

Factors influencing the psychological independence of retired community-dwelling older adults in Japan

“…Their study also indicated that stronger social relationships are correlated with better subjective health ( Parra-Rizo and Sanchís-Soler, 2021 ). Psychological independence is also influenced by social capital, which is associated with being embedded in dense community networks ( Cornwell, 2011 ) and enables older persons to empower themselves to be “health promotors” in the community ( Martínez-Maldonado et al, 2019 ). Thus, as personal accountability is necessary to build strong bonds in a community, becoming empowered as a health promoter may encourage personal accountability in community-dwelling older adults.…”