Needs and Development Guidelines for Social Welfare of the Elderly: A Case Study of Ban Thin Subdistrict, Non Sang District, Nong Bua Lamphu Province
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Abstract
This study examined the needs and development guidelines for social welfare of the elderly in Ban Thin Subdistrict, Non Sang District, Nong Bua Lamphu Province. The research had four objectives: 1) to investigate the basic problems and needs of the elderly regarding social welfare, 2) to compare welfare needs among elderly with different personal factors, 3) to analyze the relationship between basic problems and welfare needs, and 4) to propose development guidelines for elderly social welfare. The study employed a mixed methodology. Quantitative data collection utilized questionnaires with 310 respondents selected through convenience sampling, while qualitative data were gathered through in-depth interviews using structured interview guides with 12 participants chosen by purposive sampling. Results revealed that elderly individuals experienced severe basic problems, particularly in economic aspects (Mean = 4.44), followed by social issues and physical/mental health concerns. Elderly needs were also at high to highest levels, with income needs ranking highest (Mean = 4.55), followed by recreational, housing, environmental, health, social, and economic needs. Comparative analysis indicated that welfare needs differed significantly across certain personal factors - gender differences appeared in environmental aspects, age differences in housing needs, and income and family member differences in social and health domains. Additionally, economic problems showed a significant positive correlation with welfare needs (p < 0.05), explaining 32.1% of the variance. The development guidelines identified by the elderly included increasing living allowances, promoting occupational training, establishing health home-visit teams, creating community gathering spaces, enhancing age-friendly environments, and establishing emergency shelters or nursing homes for elderly people in difficult circumstances. The research findings highlight that elderly welfare needs are diverse and linked to daily basic problems. Thus, welfare services should be developed within community contexts with elderly-centered approaches to enhance quality of life and long-term security, while improving social welfare arrangements appropriate to community contexts.
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