The Relationship Between the Provision of Social Welfare Services and the Quality of Life Among Older Adults in Si-Et Sok Subdistrict, BanPho District, Chachoengsao Province

Abstract

     The objectives of this research were to examine: 1) the provision of social welfare services for older adults; 2) the quality of life of older adults; 3) the relationship between the provision of social welfare services and the quality of life among older adults; and 4) a guideline for providing social welfare services in order to improve the quality of life of older adults. The population consisted of 525 older adults aged 60–69 years old. The sample was calculated using the Taro Yamane formula, and 227 samples were obtained using a proportional stratified random sampling method. The research instruments were questionnaires and interviews. To test their reliability, the IOC values were between 0.60 and 1.00, and the Cronbach's alpha coefficients for quality of life and the provision of social welfare services were 0.96 and 0.98, respectively. Data were analyzed using statistical software packages by determining frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and correlation coefficient (r) was examined using Pearson's method and content analysis.         

     The results showed that overall, social welfare services were at a high level (M= 3.71, S.D.=.402). The overall quality of life was high (M= 4.13, S.D.= 444). While providing social welfare services for the elderly in terms of health, education, recreation, residential side, and solving problems of poverty and the underprivileged had a moderate relationship with improving the quality of life of older adults (r= 0.567, r= 0.465, r= 0.440, r= 0.600, and r= 0.489, respectively), The safety of life and property had a low relationship with the development of the quality of life of the elderly (r= 0.181), with statistical significance at the level of 0.01. Guidelines for providing social welfare services to improve the quality of life for older adults include assistance with medical expenses, transportation services in case of illness, community learning center organization, organizing activities on important days, home repair budgets, caring staff, and increasing the living allowance for older adults. Research shows that social welfare is related to the quality of life of older adults. Therefore, the government should provide equitable basic social welfare to older adults, and community leaders should organize activities to encourage older adults to earn income in order to be self-sustaining.