A Case Report on the Health Promotion Programs for Rural Residents in a Rural Area during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose: This study aimed to describe a non-face-to-face dementia prevention and physical activity program in small rural villages during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study used a case report provided by a primary healthcare post in Gyeonggi-do in 2020. Results: The program was "From head to toe, stay healthy", which was largely divided into dementia prevention ("Dementia Zero Zone") and physical activity ("The less fat, The healthier body"). Five elderly people aged 75 and over participated for preventing dementia, and 13 residents joined the health promoting programs over 80 times in total. This program was designed one-to-one customized and person-centered program, including counseling, education, and health services. The program participants responded that the amount of physical activities was increased even under strict social distancing and they felt less isolated and less depressed. Moreover, the number of screening for dementia was increased with this program. Conclusion: This case has shown the applicability of a new approach to sustain health promotion programs in the context of limited interaction with rural nurses. Under the challenging environment that requires adaptation to information and communication technologies (ICTs), it will be necessary to solve not only technical problems but also digital literacy issues of rural residents.

코로나19 팬데믹 하에서 일개 농촌 지역 주민맞춤 건강관리 프로그램 사례