MANAGEMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE MUNICIPAL AREA OF NON SAWANG SUBDISTRICT, MUEANG BUENG KAN DISTRICT, BUENG KAN PROVINCE

Abstract

This study aimed at: 1) to study the management of social welfare for the elderly in the municipal area of Non Sawang Subdistrict, Mueang Bueng Kan District, Bueng Kan Province; and 2) to study problems and suggest guidelines for the management of social welfare for the elderly in the municipal area of Non Sawang Subdistrict, Mueang Bueng Kan District, Bueng Kan Province, according to personal factors. The model of the research was quantitative research. The sample group was people aged over 60 years who lived in  the municipal area of Non Sawang Subdistrict, Mueang Bueng Kan District, Bueng Kan Province totaling 294 people. A questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection. The data were analyzed using computer software to identify percentage (%), mean (), standard deviation (SD) and perform hypothesis testing using independent sample t-test and compare the correlation of more than two groups by one-way ANOVA.

The results of the research were as follows; 1) The management of social welfare for the elderly in the municipal area of Non Sawang Subdistrict, Mueang Bueng Kan District, Bueng Kan Province was overall at a high level ( =3.82). The opinion with the highest point was education ( =4.00), followed by solutions to poverty and lack of opportunities (=3.85), safety of life and properties ( =3.81), health and recreation ( =3.74), and residence ( =3.71), respectively. The hypothetical testing revealed that there were no differences in the opinions, thus the hypothesis was rejected. 2) Problems in the management of social welfare for the elderly are that the allowance that the government paid to the elderly was 600-1000 Baht per month, which was not enough for their livelihood in each month, and materials/equipment and facilities were insufficient. The guidelines for the management of social welfare for the elderly are that the government should increase the amount of living allowance so that it will be in line with the current situation of the rising cost of living and should provide sufficient materials/equipment and facilities to serve the needs of the elderly.