Juniper Publishers-Open Access Journal of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine
The Process of Reducing Sodium Intake among Older Adults: A Participatory Action Research Study
Authored by Ladda Thiamwong
Background: Population-wide interventions for salt reduction are very cost-effective. Little is known about the awareness of sodium consumption and the ability and willingness of older adults to reduce their sodium intake in Thailand.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify older adults' opinions regarding low sodium diet awareness to guide healthy aging, and to facilitate the empowerment of the participants through the taking of action that leads to a change in the amount of their sodium consumption.
Methodology: The participatory action research approach involved groups of older adults and their caregivers, health care volunteers and health care providers in a village of Thailand. Six meetings were held with over a 6- month period to work through a process of planning, acting, observing and reflecting on the consequences. The two researchers had separate roles and participated in each of the PAR groups.
Results: The majority of participants thought involvement in the participatory action research process was beneficial. There was evidence that the practice evoked change. The participatory action research process resulted in raising older adults' low sodium diet awareness, satisfying their palates with the creation of new southern Thai dishes with low salt as well as involving of older adults in the low sodium diet cooking activities.
Conclusion and recommendation: Based on the findings, the researchers are confident that working collaboratively between older adults, their families and health care providers is the way to maintain a low sodium diet and promote healthy aging for community-dwelling older people.
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