A Community Care System for Older People Requiring Assistance, Phu Ho Sub-district, Phu Luang District, Loei Province

Abstract

This critical ethnographic study aimed to explore the characteristics, problems and needs of older people who require assistance; the situation of care; the conditions of care; and the synthesis of a model for the development of a care system for older people who require assistance by communities and localities in Phu Ho Sub-district, Phu Luang District, Loei Province. Data were collected by in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 78 informants which consisted of older people, caregivers, family members, volunteers, community leaders and government officials. Data were analyzed using content analysis.

The results showed that the community identifies 6 groups of older people who require assistance: Group 1 - dependent group, who have physical and potential limitations in living their life or are bedridden elderly; Group 2 - homebound older people; Group 3 – poverty-stricken older people; Group 4 – older people with aggressive schizophrenia; Group 5 - older people burdened with caring for a family member; and Group 6 - older people who suffer from an existing illness. This information leads to analyze problems and needs. It is important to synthesize a care system that is consistent with the Phu Ho Sub-district context. There are three important components as follows: 1) 4 main actors in the development of the community care system for older people who require assistance in the popular sectors, localities, the sub-district administrative organization, and the primary health care units; 2) concrete care under 6 activities; and 3) 5 A. and 5 K. activities for self-reliance of local communities.

It is important to develop a community care system for older people with suggestions for developing and implementing a database of older people, as well as to provide services which respond to the problems and needs of this target group and which they can access equally and fairly.