Attitude toward Aging, Self-care, Social skill and Well-being of the Elderly in Watsaitai Mung District Nakonsawan

Abstract

Background: At present, Thailand is becoming an aging society, which when there is an increase in an aging population, there will be a decrease in self-care. This in turn will affect the elderly’s everyday living and well–being.

Objectives: To compare and study the relationship between the attitude toward the elderly, self-care, social skills and well-being among the elderly.

Materials and methods: This descriptive research was conducted in urban communities of Nakhon Sawan with a sample comprising 265 elderly people. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire consisting of five parts: personal details, attitudes toward the elderly, self-care, social skills, and well-being. The data were analyzed by percentage, average, standard deviation, t-test, F-test, LSD for testing the difference between pairs, and Pearson‘s product-moment correlation.

Results: The sample consisted of mainly females (66.8%) aged between 60–69 years (48.5%). The level of individual self-care was high (x̄= 63.5; SD = 8.2) whereas the attitude toward the elderly, age, social skills and well-being were at a moderate level (x̄ = 56.1; SD = 4.1; x̄ = 80.3; SD = 11.1; x̄= 106.6; SD = 13; respectively). There were differences in the well-being in daily life in the different monthly income, which were statistically significant. The attitude toward the elderly, self-care and social skills were significantly correlated with the well-being of the elderly.

Conclusion: Promoting the well-being of the elderly should be taken into consideration to enhance a positive attitude toward the elderly, self-care and social skills, which could be promoted to create opportunities for access to social activities and to organize the elderly’s met need for activities.