Tailoring First Aid Courses to Older Adults Participants

Abstract

Relevant organizations emphasize the importance of first aid (FA) for older adults due to the increased risk of injuries and sudden illnesses in old age. Even though FA training guidelines have been developed, no program for an FA course adapted for the older adults has been formally adopted in Europe. This study’s objective is to identify older adults’ needs, beliefs, desires, advantages, and possible limitations in connection with FA. This qualitative study used semistructured interviews with 22 laypersons and retired health professionals older than 60 years old. The qualitative content analysis indicated that the major themes elicited by the older adults are motivation to participate in the FA training, older adults’ specific features as a resource or obstacle for participating in FA training, general suggestions, and content suggestions for FA training. Older adults are very differently motivated to participate in FA training due to the heterogeneity of their psychophysical abilities. They need and want to obtain additional knowledge from the field of FA and health protection for which any psychophysical limitations are not as relevant as when learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation. They want to learn how to recognize emergency situations and more about calling emergency services with the use of modern technology. In addition to cardiopulmonary resuscitation without rescue breaths, they also want to learn about topics related to the treatment of injuries. Those who had practiced FA in their work–life think that they can be a good source to transfer their knowledge to persons from their generation. While planning an FA training course, it has to be taken into consideration that older adults want a short course, adjusted to their varied psychophysical abilities. Due to the wide array of contents they want to learn, it would be reasonable to prepare a selection of different programs for short training courses.

Participation Intention and Needs of Older people towards First Aid Training--A Qualitative Study

“…There is a general perception among older people that they are in poorer health and do not have the energy or capacity to attend FA training. This is similar to the ndings of a study in which older people with common health conditions such as degenerative joints, high blood pressure, and lung disease, generally felt incapable of learning FA (17). However, a study examining CPR in an elderly population showed that many of these physical conditions of older people do not limit the ability to perform CPR (18).…”

“…P23: "I don't want to learn CPR…it's too tiring and di cult for me to learn it." (17). Their needs for FA services are not limited to self-rescue, but also to rescue their family members in emergencies.…”

“…But many interviewees were resistant to learning resuscitative rst aid skills (CPR). Dolenc et al (2021) also found low willingness to learn CPR among older people (17). Complicated FA procedures are a major reason preventing older people from participating in training.…”

“…But some older people need to take care of their families and do not have much free time. In addition, due to the poor physical condition and concentration of older people, FA courses for older people should be shorter and more focused(17). This interview found that the majority of interviewees suggested that each training time should last around one hour.…”

The implementation of a community-centered first aid education program for older adults—community health workers perceived barriers

“…Multiple studies have demonstrated that older adults are capable of learning and performing FA skills [ 40 , 41 ]. Most older adults with self-care abilities have a strong desire to learn FA knowledge and skills so that they can save themselves or their families in times of crisis [ 42 , 43 ]. Therefore, it is vital for CHWs to alter their stereotypical image of older adults, and they should also be aware of the significance and necessity of FA training for older adults.…”