Health Conditions of the Elderly and Their Expectations for Community-Based Healthcare in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Communities

Abstract

Providing healthcare service for elderly living in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) should be based on individual needs and contextual consideration. This research aimed to study the health status of older adults in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) in physical, mental, and social dimensions; analyzed their expectations for healthcare services; examined the roles of communities and networks in elderly care; and proposed appropriate models for healthcare that suited the local context. This qualitative study used document analysis, observation, and in-depth interviews. The sample consisted of 180 individuals, including older adults aged 60 and above, as well as those involved in elderly healthcare. The research instrument was a structured in-depth interview guide covering five main topics: (1) the health situation of older adults, (2) self-care and elderly care practices in the community, (3) traditional wisdom and local healthy food knowledge, (4) healthcare needs and expectations of older adults, and (5) the role of communities in elderly care: empowering networks and expectations for sustainable care. Each interview lasted approximately 30–40 minutes, allowing participants to express their opinions freely. The instrument was validated by five experts in gerontological nursing, policy administration, and community networking. The tool showed an average Content Validity Index (CVI) of 0.83 and a reliability score of 0.97, both of which exceeded standard benchmarks, indicating its appropriateness and reliability. Data were analyzed by categorizing responses into three groups: similar opinions (thesis), contrasting opinions (anti-thesis), and synthesized opinions (synthesis), which were summarized into conceptual knowledge (conceptualization).  The research findings revealed that: (1) Most elderly in the community suffered from chronic diseases caused by daily lifestyle habits and relied on services from village health volunteers (VHVs) and sub-district health-promoting hospitals, as well as medications for treatment. (2) The elderly required knowledge on health restoration and health promotion. (3) Communities possessed health wisdom, such as the use of herbal remedies and exercise. (4) The elderly expected communities to utilize local wisdom, build stronger communities, and improve health care systems. (5) There was a need to develop elderly health care networks involving local administrative organizations (LAOs), VHVs, and improved health communication to ensure consistent access to care. Recommendations: An integrated health care model tailored to the needs of the elderly and community context should have been developed.