ผู้สูงอายุไทย: สถานการณ์สุขภาพและการพัฒนาความสุข

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The objectives of this article were to present the health status of the Thai elderly people, the readiness of the elderly people in facing with the aging society and presentation of the concept on development of happiness and preparedness to be the elderly. By data analysis, the number of elderly people in Thailand is increasing and turning Thai society to be an aging society in which more than 10% of total populations were elderly people. The common health problem in elderly was chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease. By self- estimation, one fifth of the elderly reported that they were not in good health and one half of them never had regular annual physical check up. The guideline for the development of happiness in elderly should be started by continuously development of self-esteem, making use of their knowledge and creativity, encouraging positive thinking, good interpersonal relationship, warm relationship in family, consolation and taking care of each other. With good preparedness of their physical, mental and social, the elderly could adjust themselves with the aging society and living with lifelong happiness.

Key words: Elderly, Health situation, happiness