Strategic Development at the Local Level for the Care of Dependent Elderly by Local Government Organizations in Amnat Charoen Province

Abstract

This study aimed to develop community-based strategies for the care of dependent elderly implemented by local administrative organizations in Amnat Charoen Province. The research was conducted in three phases: The first phase was to investigate the current conditions and challenges in the operation of care services for dependent elderly by local administrative organizations in Amnat Charoen Province. The sample consisted of 116 personnel working in local administrative organizations responsible for providing the care for dependent elderly in Amnat Charoen Province. The data were collected using a simple random sampling method. The second phase was to develop community-based strategies for the care of dependent elderly in Amnat Charoen Province. The target group comprised 18 experts with specialized knowledge in strategic planning and elderly care, selected through purposive sampling. The third phase was to evaluate community-based strategies for the care of dependent elderly in Amnat Charoen Province. The target group included 17 experts in strategic development, selected through purposive sampling. The instruments used in this phase were questionnaires and evaluation forms. Data were analyzed using percentages, mean, standard deviation, and content analysis.

The research findings revealed that the development of community-based strategies for the care of dependent elderly implemented by local administrative organizations in Amnat Charoen Province comprised four strategic pillars, nine sub-strategies, twenty-four indicators, and thirty-nine operational measures: The first strategy focused on developing a comprehensive care management plan for dependent elderly that emphasized stakeholder participation and inter-agency integration. The corresponding sub-strategy involved enhancing the standardization of care delivery processes by health personnel, elderly care volunteers, community members, and family caregivers. The second strategy was enhancing a standardized, integrated health care management process for dependent elderly. The corresponding sub-strategy was to strengthen the efficiency of care activities for dependent elderly, aiming to ensure that these individuals attain a good quality of life consistent with national and international standards of elderly care. The third strategy was strengthening the capacity of stakeholder networks in providing care for dependent elderly. The key approach under this strategy was to establish a coordinated volunteer caregiver network for dependent elderly, aiming to ensure effective information sharing and efficient care services. The fourth strategy was developing a systematic framework for supervision, monitoring, evaluation, and continuous improvement. This sub-strategy emphasized the development of a comprehensive supervision, monitoring, and evaluation framework, aiming to enhance the care management system for dependent elderly. Lastly, the evaluation of community-based strategies for the care of dependent elderly implemented by local administrative organizations in Amnat Charoen Province indicated that all four strategies were rated at a high level in terms of propriety, feasibility, and utility.