THE POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND CAREER PROMOTION FOR THE ELDERLY ACCORDING TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION POLICY, CHAIYAPHUM PROVINCE

Abstract

This research aims to study the guidelines for developing potential and promoting occupations for the elderly. The concept of empowering potential by energetic and occupational skills development for the elderly as a research framework. It was a participatory action research which is divided into 4 steps as follows, preparation and data survey, planning, implementation and reflecting problems and evaluation. The research area is Na Fai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chaiyaphum Province. The sample consisted of 340 elderly people using a simple stratified and random selection method, executive officers of the Subdistrict Administrative Organization, village committees and village health volunteers used a specific selection method. Data collection methods were questionnaires, in-depth interview, focus group, brainstorm and lesson learned. The statistical methods used in the quantitative analysis were frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation, t-test and the qualitative analysis were content analysis and wrote a descriptive report.
The research findings revealed that: 1) The elderly had potential for developing in establishing an occupational and was appropriate resources, production skills and professional wisdom. 2) There were 4 action plans for the development of potential and career promotion for the elderly as follows, production of processed products, working equipment, health promotion and home visits. 3)The result founded that herbal fermented fish sauce, coconut broom, health promotion activities and home visit plans. The evaluation results between before and after the operation found that there were a statistically significant difference (p < .05). 4) The guidelines for developing the potential and promoting occupations for the elderly consisted of 8 steps founded that a community context study, meeting to discussion the problems, plan operations, return information to the community, village community, carry out the plan, take lessons and evaluation. The knowledge and findings from this research provide guidelines for developing potential and promoting careers for the elderly that were consistent with knowledge, needs and health status of the elderly.