The role of family and local communities to improve the lives of the elderly in the central region by the principle of sufficiency economy

Abstract

This study of the role of family, locals, and community in enhancing the quality of elderly people’s lives in central area by means of Sufficiency Economy theory collected the data from people. It aims 1) to study the role of family, locals, and the community to enhance the quality of elderly people’s life in Thailand’s central region; 2) to analyze factors related to the quality of elderly people’s lives; and 3) to identify ways of encouraging the development of elderly people to prepare them to be part of the society of elderly people in the ASEAN region. The participants in this research were elderly people in the central region. The research used quantitative methods to measure quality of life. Multi-stage sampling was employed. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics such as average (x̅) and standard deviation to investigate the elements of each factor in the study. The results from the focus group regarding the quality of elderly people’s life can be summarized as follows: 1) The development of the quality of life of elderly people is based on the concept of “Strong community and people through the development and adaptation of the theory of the Sufficency Economy”. 2) The development of the quality of elderly people’s lives by means of religion: emphasizing the Buddhist way of life and local wisdom and culture to teach family members to be a grateful and loyal and to be a good person for the family and local community. 3) The quality of life of elderly people can be improved by implementing laws informed by morality to encourage generosity between family, locals and community to solve the problems of elderly people. 4) The quality of life of elderly people, locals and the community is based on mutual respect living together naturally according to the concept of the Sufficiency Economy, in order to support large numbers of elderly people in the future. Suggestions arising from this research and from other ideas from participants include increases in government funds budgeted to support elderly people and the creation by local government of projects and activities for elderly people. In addition, the participants also perceive the need for a chance for the elderly to study and learn in the local elderly school, without age limit, as a form of life-long learning. The participants also suggested the idea of evaluating the systems of schools for elderly people according to the “cheerfulness and happiness” of learners rather than by any other method. Connections between the schools for elderly learners in the central area should be co-ordinated so as to create more projects and activities.