Preparations for later life in old age: a case study of freelance architects in Bangkok Metropolitan and peripheral provinces

Abstract

                 Multidimensional changes in society have left older adults these days with various issues, such as, health problems, financial problems etc. To avoid facing those challenges, preparations for later life in old age is crucial, particularly for young adults and middle-aged adults. This qualitative research aims at studying about the preparations for life in old age of freelance architects and a pattern of freelance work and of the preparations in four identified aspects. Relevant data were collected through an in-depth interview with 8 freelance architects, who worked in Bangkok Metropolitan and peripheral provinces, and were selected by purposive, then snowball sampling.

The study reveals that every participant has planned and made some preparations for their life in old age in health, economic, social and housing aspect. The economic preparations are considered by all participants as the most important among the four dimensions, followed by the health preparations. However, from the collected data, most of the group seems to be better prepared in the social and housing aspect than in economic and health dimension. This could be explained by advantages and obstacles identified in exploring pattern of freelance work and of the preparations in those aspects. Working as freelance could both benefit a person’s preparations for later life in old age, and could also hinder his preparation efforts, subject to individual’s ability to plan and manage.

                    Based on the study results, it is recommended that the concerned public agencies should be more active in raising awareness of the need to prepare for later life among freelance worker group, and in widely promoting understanding and information related to the preparations as well as in supporting the preparations-related campaign or activities. The information to be disseminated should be simple, concise and practical. It is also advisable for freelance workers to pay more attention to the preparations for later life in all aspects, such as, improving health behaviours, planning for economic preparations and participating in social events or activities, etc.