This study also indicates that, after 6 months of the CBHP for rural
community elders, the healthy lifestyle of practicing self protection,
participating community activities, increasing health responsibility
and adopting healthy diet had improved significantly, whether
through university nursing students or community retired volunteers
as interveners. Furthermore, the health status improved in both
groups, e.g. decreases in geriatric depression, systolic and diastolic
blood pressures. The findings agree with other studies; e.g. Blake et al.
(2009) found that physical activity programs were beneficial in
treating depressive symptoms in depressed older people.
The prevalence of chronic illness increases with age, and many
people aged over 80 have both multiple chronic conditions, functional
limitations and cognitive impairment (Haber, 2010). For instance,
~10% of people over 75 have difficulty carrying out activities of daily
living (ADLs), and 19% have difficulty with instrumental activities of
daily living (IADLs). By age 85, ~28% have problems with ADLs and
40% with IADLs. The consequences included an economic burden on
society as well as impaired quality of life, and the morbidity suffered
by the individual and their family. Since the population has begun to
age rapidly, the Taiwan government has sought guidance in
promoting healthy and active aging. Since the 1970s, there has been
a growing understanding of the influence of social relationships on
the prevention and management of chronic conditions. Higher levels
of social integration protect against a wide range of physical and
mental illnesses (Kono et al., 2012). Our study indicates that engaging
in social participation, having friends and participating in community
activities can help elders to reduce the stresses of life and their
feelings of loneliness.