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Evaluation of a physical-recreational activity program for physical-mental well-being of the elderly

Abstract:

Introduction: Physical-recreational activities serve as strategies to increase the life quality in all age ranges. Delimit its contents and increase the participation rate of the older adult in them, makes it possible to increase various physical and mental indicators. Objective: To a program evaluate of physical-recreational activities for the physical-mental well-being of the elderly person in the center "Sara Espindola" of Tulcán ", Ecuador Republic. Methods: 30 subjects of the third age are studied, applying an observational guide and two surveys to determine tastes and preferences of the professionals and patients that take part in the study, keeping in mind their criteria to design a physical-recreational activities program as a strategy motivating. The Calculation of Proportions for Related Samples (p≤0,05) is applied, determining an participation index when comparing the traditional program and the new program implemented for six months. Results: The advantages and limitations of traditional program implemented previously are demonstrated. The tastes and preferences of studied sample were related by levels, being the highest (Level I: High priority) those related to board games (83.3%), outdoor activities (76.7%) and religious activities (70%), followed by middle level activities (Level II), such as group dynamics (63.3%), artistic activities (56.7), traditional games (53.3%) and dance therapy (50%). In the design of the new program, individualities were taken into account in terms of tastes and preferences, and the material conditions of the senior center (Qualification: Very Good to Regular). There was a significant improvement in the assistance to the new program, with emphasis on the levels of participation "Always" (p = 0.0230), "Regularly" (p = 0.0254) and "Never" (p = 0.0005). ), in favor of the new physical-recreational program. Conclusions: A greater motivation is shown by the new physical-recreational program, and therefore an aggregate increase of social and mental well-being indicators in the sample studied.