A model for improving the quality of life of the elderly in Ranong Province

Abstract

This research and development aim to 1) to study the problems and needs for improving the quality of life of the elderly 2) develop a model for improving the quality of life for the elderly in Ranong Province 3) evaluate the effectiveness of the model for improving the quality of life for the elderly in Ranong Province .The sample group in step 1 and step 2 was selected by voluntary purposive method. It consists of 10 care managers, 10 care givers, 10 senior citizen club presidents, 10 local administrative organization administrators, totaling 40 people. Step 3: 371 elderly people. The research tools were: 1) a focus group approach to study the problems and needs for improving the quality of life of the elderly; 2) Guidelines for group discussion to develop the model 3) Questionnaire on the quality of life of the elderly Content validity index equals 1.00 and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.92-0.94. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-test. Qualitative data were analyzed for content. The results of the first stage of research found that development activities for the elderly to have a good quality of life were not concrete, discontinuous, lacked participation and did not cover the dimensions of health promotion. Step 2: The model of activities for improving the quality of life of the elderly is Model: 2P-TR-LP-HL. 2P consists of Promotion & Prevention which is to reduce risk factors before the disease of the elderly. TR consists of Treatment &  Rehabilitation which is a treatment/rehabilitation and LP continuity care consists of Long-Term Care & Palliative Care, which is loss or disability prevention and HL, health literacy for both the elderly, caregivers and family members. Step 3: After using the model, the elderly had a better quality of life than before development at the .05 level with mean values of 3.09 (SD = 1.19) and 4.30 (SD = 0.62), respectively.

Recommendations: The issue of the elderly should be set as a policy to drive quality of life development. and a systematic study of integrated participatory quality of life care for the elderly all sectors involved