Information Communication Model for the Elderly in Khon Kaen Municipality

Abstract

                 This study aims to investigate how information was communicated among the elders. The sample groups consisted of 2 broadcasting officers working in Khon Kaen municipal area, and 376 over-sixty-year-old elders who lived in 93 communities and whose names were included in Civil Registration of Khon Kaen municipal areas. The research tool was a structured interview. The data were analyzed by using instant computer programs called IBM SPSS Statistics V19 to find percentage, means and standard deviation.

                The investigation about how information was communicated among the elders can be concluded as follows.
The information source came from Division of Social Welfare and Division of Public Health and Environment. In terms of the contents, Division of Public Health and Environment broadcasted was about health education. The content that Division of Social Welfare broadcasted the information about elderly allowance and the projects or activities held by the municipality. Both Divisions employ 3 means of communication: mass media, personal media and specialized media.

                In terms of information receivers, the study showed that mostly the elders received the information from Division of Public Health and Environment, Division of Social Welfare, Central Hospitals or Medical Centers.
The contents they received were 1) general information such as medical and public health, social welfare, social and cultural contents and others 2) the information from An Act of Elders 2003 section 11. The study also reported that the elders received the social welfare assistance thoroughly and fairly. Moreover, they received the medical and public health services provided quickly and especially for them. In terms of the means of communication, the personal media items were rated high, Mass media and specialized media were rated low.