Health Empowerment of Older Adults with High-risk of Cardio-cerebrovascular Diseases

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was to identify factors explaining health empowerment of older adults with high-risk of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. METHODS: Using a structured questionnaire, data were collected from 148 older adults residing in two areas who have one or more of the following diseases; hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and atherosclerosis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation analysis, and hierarchical multiple regression. RESULTS: Health empowerment had a positive correlation with health literacy and social support. Perceived health status and social activity participation showed significant contribution in explaining health empowerment. CONCLUSION: This study showed that enhancing perceived health status and social activity participation are vital in an effort to improve health empowerment of the population. Main findings of this study can contribute to developing health empowerment interventions to improve health behavior practices of the older adults.