Life Perspectives, Hopes, and Adaptation of Elderly Akha: A Case Study of an Akha Community in Northern Thailand
Keywords:
Adaptation, Cultural sensitivity, Elderly Akha, Hope, Life perspectivesAbstract
Elderly individuals from ethnic minority groups inevitably face social and economic changes that affect their mental well-being. Understanding their lived experiences is therefore essential for developing appropriate care. This qualitative case study aimed to understand the experiences of life perspectives, hope, and adaptation among the Akha elderly in a community in Northern Thailand. The informants were twelve purposively selected Akha elders (six males, six females) who participated in three focus groups. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and non-participant observation, and analyzed using thematic analysis.
The findings revealed four key themes: 1) acceptance of fate and living in peace; 2) hope tied to the future of the next generation; 3) creating self-worth through work and family responsibilities; and 4) faith and inner strength through endurance. The findings indicate that while the elderly face vulnerabilities, their resilience is deeply rooted in familial roles, community responsibilities, and spiritual beliefs. Their hope is collectivist in nature, focusing on the well-being of their descendants rather than personal goals.
These findings highlight the necessity of developing mental health care models that are culturally sensitive, transcend Western concepts, and support and reinforce the existing sociocultural sources of strength within the Akha community, recognizing the value of caregiving roles and integrating spiritual beliefs into care plans.
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