Problems and Need of the Elderly in the Community Tambon Sanamchai, Amphoe Mueang, Suphanburi

Abstract

Objective: The aim was to  analyze problems and need of the elderly in Tambon Sanamchai, Amphoe Mueang, Suphanburi.

Methods: In this descriptive research, the participants were people aged  60 or over living in the area. A total of 110 were selected randomly into 1,800  people using a power analysis program at 95% confidence level, effect size 0.3 Data collection was undertaken between March and June 2020.  A questionnaire based on Roth's concept, 1977 was used as a research tool. Data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. 

Results: The results showed that 62.5% of the elderly were female, 30.9% were 60-65 years old, 59.1% had married couples at 79.1% graduated in primary education, and 79.1% were unemployed. Sixty-five percent of them had underlying  diseases; mostly, hypertension was found at 32.7%  about poblem of the elderly, It was found that the elderly had no problem in taking care of themselves physically. The need and abilities to take care of their bodies in bathing, using the toilet, dressing, eating, getting out of bed, walking / balancing, and taking medication were at a high level (M = 3.83 SD = 1.08). Problems about taking care of emotional self of the elderly as a whole and each item were at a moderate level (M = 2.65 to 3.10), except for having conflicts with close caregivers and having conflicts with other family members which were at a low level (M = 2.26 and 2.31). About the self-worth, the overall problems and individual issues were at a low level (M = 1.24 to 2.33) except for feeling sad and unhappy, feeling of being a burden on others, feeling unloved or respected, and feeling unable to teach their children  which were found to be at the intermediate level (M = 2.34 to 2.56).

Conclusion: The researcher recommends that community nurses should assess problems and need of the elderly in order to plan solutions to meet the needs of them.