Abstract:
The purpose of this quasi-experimental research was to examine the effects of the empowerment program on foot care behavior and blood sugar level in older people with diabetes at increase risk of food ulcer. Zimmerman's empowerment Theory (2000) and telephone follow up at home were used as the conceptual framework. Samples were 40 older peoples with diabetic at high risk foot ulcers. 20 was control group and anther 20 was experimental group. Age, experience of foot ulcers and smoking were matched. The control group received the regular health promotion and the experimental group received the empowerment program, consisted of relationship, experience, name experience, analysis, planning, doing and continue follow up. The follow up instrument was progress note for foot care. The instrument for collecting data was a tool to mesure foot care behavior and blood sugar level. All of instruments tested for internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha as well as .85. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and t test. Major finding were as follows: 1. The mean score of foot care behaviors of elderly patience in experimental group were significantly higher than that before received empowerment program. (p<.01) 2. The mean score of blood sugar level of elderly patience in experimental group were significantly lower than that before received empowerment program. (p<.01) 3. The mean score of foot care behaviors of elderly patience in experiment group were significantly higher than that the control group. (p<.01) 4. The mean score of blood sugar level of elderly patience in experimental group werer not significantly different that the control group.