Physical-cognitive rehabilitation program for older adults at the "El Buen Vivir" Gerontological Center, Milagro, Ecuador
Keywords:
Active aging, geriatric rehabilitation, quality of life, multidisciplinary intervention, rural healthAbstract
This study evaluated a physical-cognitive rehabilitation program in 76 older adults of the Gerontological Center “El Buen Vivir” (Milagro, Ecuador), through a quasi-experimental design with measurements before and after the intervention. The intervention developed for 12 months, included ludic-cognitive activities, physiotherapy and health education. Significant improvements were observed in posture (26% with normal alignment), muscle strength (25% with Oxford level ≥4) and reduced risk of falls (from 41% to 29%). Although the impact on cognitive function was limited (53% with Mini-Mental ≥24), an increase in social participation (83%) and a decrease in depression (3%) were evident. Adherence to the program was high (89%) and overall satisfaction reached 94%. The main limitations of the study were the absence of a control group and possible selection bias. Despite this, the results support the feasibility and effectiveness of multidisciplinary interventions adapted to rural contexts with limited resources, demonstrating their potential for replication in other similar institutions and their usefulness in the design of public policies aimed at active and healthy aging in settings with fragmented health systems.
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