Guidelines for Enhancing Legal Knowledge about the Rights and Welfare of the Elderly

Abstract

As Thailand moves toward becoming a fully aged society, the state is compelled to manage the rights and welfare of the elderly, who represent a significant portion of the population. Rights and welfare are indicators of the quality of life of older persons. However, before implementing any management measures, it is essential for the state to understand the level of legal knowledge concerning the rights and welfare of the elderly. This understanding enables the formulation of targeted and appropriate policies. Therefore, it is necessary to study the level of legal literacy relating to the rights and welfare of older persons. This study adopted the conceptual framework of elderly rights protection and the theory of community participation, emphasizing the necessity to promote the fundamental rights of the elderly in order to ensure equitable access to welfare and legal protection.

The research focused on examining the level of knowledge about laws, rights, and welfare among elderly residents in urban communities, specifically the Misuawan 2 Community and the Khlong Tan Bridge-side Community in the Wattana District of Bangkok, which have distinct demographic characteristics. Data were collected through quantitative surveys and in-depth interviews. The findings indicate that elderly individuals in both communities generally understand civil and commercial laws, as well as legal measures related to digital crime. However, there remains a lack of knowledge among some elderly persons regarding the fundamental rights and legal measures specifically concerning older individuals. This study leads to a addresses on the current situation of legal knowledge among the elderly, their understanding of the law and welfare systems, and the proposal of strategies to enhance legal and welfare awareness through educational programs tailored to each community’s context. These strategies may include training on elderly rights, instructions on how to access information through digital technologies, and the development of communication channels appropriate for older persons. Such initiatives would support elderly individuals in exercising their rights more effectively and accessing welfare more equitably.