The Model for improving quality of life of the elderly in rural areas

Abstract

The objective of this participatory action research were to study perception and need for    improving the quality of life and the results of the model development to improve the quality of life of the elderly in rural areas. Studied in Samkhok and Latlumkeaw district, Pathumthani Province in October 2018-January 2019. There were conducted in three phases which consisted of phase 1 was conducted to survey of perceptions and needs for quality of life development from a sample of 400 elderly. Phase 2 was performed to develop the model of quality of life for improving the elderly in Tambon Bang Toey, Samkhok district rural areas by organizing a meeting. Phase 3 was conducted to evaluate the  model for improving the quality of life of the elderly in rural areas. Research tools which used in Phase 1 was the survey of perceptions and needs for quality of life development form with reliability of 0.98 and 0.87 respectively. Phase 2 was recorded and reported of meeting and Phase 3 was used the       interview form focus group discussion form and the satisfaction assessment form with reliability was 0.94. Data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics for quantitative data such as frequency,           percentage, mean, and standard deviation, and qualitative data was analyzed by content analysis.

The study found that the samples in phase 1 were female 81.75%, aged between 60-74 years 78.25%, most of them able to take care of themselves in daily living 99.25 %. The perception and needs to improve the quality of life as a whole was high level (x̄=3.47, S.D. 4.10, S.D. 0.82, S.D. 0.77,  respectively). Phase 2 The quality of life development model was the Bhroma model (Consisted of Thai word that mean Bhroma, the first was vocational development, health promoting, caring from their offspring and social welfare). Phase 3, the results of providing Bhroma model revealed vocational development, health promoting, caring from their offspring, and social welfare. They had satisfied with the Bhroma model for improving quality of life at the high level (x̄=4.16, S.D. 0.74).