Project Access Safety Net Rural Elderly & Disabled

As we mentioned in our last update, this year, we are including a program to teach caregivers about fall prevention. The first sub-district has completed assessments of our elderly and disabled communities served by the Access to Care programs in Phrao.

Eldercare is on the budget agenda for our new Head of Phrao  District meeting. We were pleased to be invited to a meeting with our new Phrao District Chief and her head of Public Health for the 11 districts in Phrao to brief them and confirm their support for the program.  (Public Health runs the sub-district clinics and the program of health volunteers working in each village to disseminate information about mosquito-borne disease, maternal health, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other cornerstones of the public health service.)  

In April, Soda and Gai joined with the local public health leads to meet with village health volunteers and explain the role of our Access to Care program; how it aligns with the services provided by public health but provides visits and supplies that are not otherwise available to these isolated community members.

In May, we trained our first group of public health workers on fall prevention.  An overview of the program engaged them in thinking about ways they can assist.  We prepared village health volunteers to conduct surveys with individual households. This includes the Sub-District of Long Khot.

Here are the results from the fall risk survey. As of today, 436 participants completed the fall risk survey, revealing varied levels of fall risk:

• 41% were categorized as having no fall risk, and
• 22% were identified as having a low risk for falls.
• 37% were found to be at moderate to high risk for falls, with 15 individuals in the high-risk group. 

This assessment underscores the need for tailored interventions, particularly for high-risk individuals. The next step is to conduct home safety evaluations and a plan to provide the necessary support. This may include some home accessibility improvements along with coaching in ways to stand up, turn, and walk to avoid falls. 

As we engage the local health volunteers, we will expand the reach of care for the elderly and disabled in our community. 

Our team continues to visit our constituents,  bringing nutritious food and hygiene products, as well as transportation to doctors' appointments

Thank you for making this possible, bringing joy and basic supplies to our isolated elders and disabled community.

Best wishes for a safe summer.

Dana, Evelind, Michael, and the Access to Care Team.