EXAMINING QUALITY OF LIFE, FRAILTY AND SELF-MANAGEMENT OF COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS IN ONE OF THE CONSTITUENCIES IN THE WESTERN CLUSTER IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

Background: Transition into an ageing population represent strides towards community-based care. However, studies show an underutilisation of community health nursing amongst community-dwelling elderly. This prompted the need to identify barriers and facilitators of utilising community-based interventions by community health nurses (CHNs). Similarly, this study seeks to explore a community health nursing initiative and its impacts on quality of life (QoL), frailty and self-management of health, particularly in community-dwelling elderly. Aims: To explore community health nursing and its impact on QoL, frailty, self-management of health, alongside facilitators and barriers for community-dwelling elderly to attend community health-posts (CHPs) in Singapore. Design: A quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional correlational study. Methods: The study was conducted in Jurong Central CHP, Singapore. 110 community-dwelling elderly above 60 years old were recruited. CDC HRQOL-14 and FRAIL scale was administered. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Results: No statistical significance between participants’ QoL and attendance at the health-post. Frailty and QoL amongst participants’ generally have an inverse moderate relationship with the exception of Core Healthy Days Module (CHDM) and Frail Group, which has an inverse weak relationship amongst health-post attendees. Better self-management of health was seen in CHP attendees. Gender and ethnicity were statistically significant in health-post attendance. Four overarching themes examined facilitators while, three analyzed barriers to health-post attendance. Conclusions: Community health nursing play vital roles in ensuring a healthy ageing population. Despite lacking significant results, community-dwelling elderly fared better in QoL, frailty status and self-management of health. In view of insights collected on barriers and facilitators of attendance at the health-post, healthcare providers may tweak future interventions for successful implementation.