Comparing the Effects of Group and Family-Centered Educations on the Elderly Lifestyle

Background:Inappropriate lifestyle can lead to the development of diseases in elderly. Although education contributes to the improvement of lifestyle, finding a cost-effective education method is important. Aims: The present research was aimed at comparison of the effects of group and family-centered education methods on elderly lifestyle. Settings and design: This research was carried out in 2015 as a field trial on people aged from 60 to 74 years in Yasuj, Iran. Material and Methods:A total of 150 old people were selected using the convenience sampling method and randomly allocated into three groups with 50 subjects in each group including the group education, family-centered, and control groups. The elderly lifestyle questionnaire was used to collect information before and 1 month, 2 month and 3 month after educational interventions including family-centered education by home visits and group education in 8 sessions. Statistical methods such as ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis, post hoc, and repeated measurement test were used for analyzing data. Results: Results showed a growing trend in thelifestyle score of family-centered and group education groups in consecutive intervention periods (P<0.001). The intergroup comparison between the lifestyle scores also demonstrated a statistically significant difference between lifestyle scores of the three groups (P<0.001). Tuky post hoc showed this difference between group and family-centered education groups with control group. Conclusion:Considering equally effects of the two education interventions, .the higher cost and higher number of personnel required for home visits, group education is recommended as a suitable method for improving lifestyle of the elderly.