THE STUDY OF THE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS OF ELDERLY CARE ACTIVITIES AT THE HEALTH REHABILITATION AND ELDERLY POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Abstract

The objectives of this research are 1) to study the development of the administration of elderly care activities of the Center for Health Rehabilitation for the Development of Elderly Potential, Nakhon Si Thammarat Municipality, and 2) to study the suggestions on the guidelines for the development of the administration of elderly care activities of the Center for Health Rehabilitation for the Development of Elderly Potential, Nakhon Si Thammarat Municipality. The research design is a mixed-methods approach consisting of qualitative research involving structured interviews with 20 key informants, and quantitative research using questionnaires administered to a population of individuals aged 60 years and above in the municipal area , totaling 19,964 people. The sample size of 380 respondents was determined using Krejcie & Morgan's ready-made table. For qualitative data analysis, information gathered from the interviews. For quantitative analysis, statistics such as percentages, means (), and standard deviations (S.D.) were used, followed by interpretation. The research findings were as follows; The study identified four key dimensions of elderly care activity administration development: Life security Education Economic support Social engagement. Overall the elderly in the Nakhon Si Thammarat Municipality exhibited a high level of needs regarding the development of elderly care activity management across all four dimensions ( = 4.38) . When analyzed by individual dimension (ranked by mean score in descending order): Life security showed the highest demand ( = 4.39) Education ranked second ( = 4.22) Economic support ( = 3.85) and [implied fourth dimension] showed relatively lower but still significant needs. Recommendations for development guidelines. The development of elderly care activity administration 1) Life Security Dimension: Provide age-appropriate exercise activities. 2)Education Dimension: Promote lifelong learning initiatives. 3) Economic Dimension: Organize vocational training workshops visits to vocational training organizations. 4)Social Dimension: Organize traditional water-pouring ceremonies to seek blessings from elders.