ACTIVITY MODELS TO DEVELOP QUALITY OF LIFE AN ELDERLY AT HAT KRAD CHUAN CHUEN SCHOOL, HAT KRAD SUBDISTRICT, MUEANG DISTRICT, UTTARADIT PROVINCE

Abstract

This mixed-methods study aimed to 1) Examine the activities for improving the quality of life of elderly people in senior citizen schools, and 2) Study the quality of life of elderly people in senior citizen schools in Hat Kruat Subdistrict, Mueang District, Uttaradit Province. A purposive sampling method was used to select 12 individuals involved in the operation of the senior citizen school and 155 elderly people attending the school. In-depth interviews and the short version of the World Health Organization's Quality of Life Questionnaire (Thai version) were used. Content validity and reliability of the interview questionnaire were checked (reliability coefficient 0.83). Qualitative data were analyzed using an inductive method. Quantitative data was collected using descriptive statistics, and the reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, yielding a value of 0.89. The study found that the Hat Kruat Chuan Chuen Senior Citizen School organized its teaching and learning in collaboration with the network of Hat Kruat Subdistrict and Mueang Uttaradit District, following the Senior Citizen School curriculum of the Department of Elderly Affairs in 4 areas: 1) Social Studies, 2) Health, 3) Economics, and 4) Environment, Life Skills, Vocational Skills, and Academics, covering physical, mental, social, and spiritual aspects. Activities were held every Wednesday of the 1st and 3rd week of the month for 5 months, and the results showed an improvement in the quality of life. Overall, all four aspects were at a good level, ranked in descending order of mean scores: mental (M = 4.89, S.D. = 0.32), physical (M = 4.8, S.D. = 0.34), social relationships (M = 4.77, S.D. = 0.44), and personal environment (M = 4.75, S.D. = 0.46). Based on these findings, those involved in elderly healthcare can apply the quality of life improvement activity model to elderly groups in all areas to promote and develop a sustainable quality of life for the elderly.