Development of a Leader's Guide to Community-Based Programs in Health Education and Promotion for Older Adults.

This research sought to provide a protocol to the community program leader in health education for the older adult which could assist identifying specific needs and potential approaches. A protocol was developed for a community program leader's guide in health education and promotion through a series of questionnaires with a group of experts. Utilizing the Delphi method of research, opinions from a panel of experts were elicited and combined to reach a consensus. The panel received a preliminary survey, with five distinct content domains including physical activity, nutrition, health concerns, and safety and stress management. The group was asked to make suggestions on the survey form. The panel reviewed the modified survey and rated each item for its usefulness. The results indicated: (1) the program outline should contain an introduction, program objectives, educational objectives, needs assessment, and learning activities and methods; (2) appropriate content domains and content information for such a guide should include physical activity, nutrition, health concerns, safety, and stress management; (3) all components of the guide are not required; (4) the majority of learning activities and methods were rated as essential; and (5) the proposed protocol should be a practical and usable tool for the community program leader. (ABL)