STUDYING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMUNITY-BASED REHABILITATION PROGRAMS ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE ELDERLY KAHRIZAK; A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

Abstract

Introduction : The high rate of elderly population increase in developed countries has shifted the focus of attention to the issues related to this age group. One of the approaches adopted in recent decades for tackling the problems associated with the elderly and other age groups is community-based rehabilitation programs. Practicing such programs in different countries such as Iran is in its initial stages. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of these programs on the elderly and the quality of their life. Method : In this study, a case-control study is undertaken. Some 100 old people at or over the age of 60 years from Kahrizak nursing home (Karaj branch) were sampled randomly. These individuals were divided into two groups of 50 individuals; test group and control group. The principal characteristic of this categorization is participation or no participation in community-based rehabilitation programs. The needed information is extracted through a questionnaire and interview technique. Findings : The results indicate that there is a difference between the control and test groups, such that those elderly people who took part in the community-based rehabilitation program and were provided with significant services had a superior quality of life. Conclusion : Despite community-based rehabilitation programs have only recently been adopted in Kahrizak, the participants could regain their social and personal identity once they returned to the society had a better quality of life in comparison to the other aged people.