Community Participation in The Development of Active Aging in Kaeng Hang Maeo Subdistrict, Chanthaburi Province
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: The elderly population is increasing around the world due to the lower birth rate and longer life expectancy. Thailand has been transforming into an aging society since 2005 and will reach this status in 2022. This research was conducted with the participation of the community for the active aging campaign, which included the health, social, security and service aspects for the self-sustained development of the elderly.
OBJECTIVES: To study the participation of development in the active aging campaign, improvement of the active aging index, and applicability of the active aging campaign.
METHODS: This study was a Participatory Action Research (PAR) and was conducted from January to October 2020. The sample comprised 30 participants in an elderly community in Kaeng Hang Maeo subdistrict. The provided activities included a medical check-up, exercise, growing vegetables and herbs, and visiting home. The data were collected from a focus group, pretest, post-test, and satisfaction evaluation. The percentage, mean, standard deviation, and paired sample t-test were analyzed.
RESULTS: To build community involvement in planning, activities were organized to develop the elderly and evaluate the results of the assessment. The active aging score means of the pretest and post-test were 3.6 and 4.0, respectively. The paired sample t-test showed a significant difference between the pretest and post-test (p < 0.001). The most impactful aspect was health, followed by social, service and security. The results of the satisfaction assessment and utilization: level were rated very good with an average of 4.6, and the elderly could use the knowledge they had received.
CONCLUSIONS: The participation of the active aging campaign improved the active aging index and quality of life.
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References
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