A Study of How to Apply Objects of Sympathy to Develop the Elderly's Social Health in Northern Thailand A Study of How to Apply Objects of Sympathy to Develop the Elderly’s Social Health in Northern Thailand

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study the development of good social well-being of the elderly in Northern Thailand, to study the pattern of good social The objectives of this research were to study the development of good social well-being of the elderly in Northern Thailand, to study the pattern of good social well-being of the elderly in Northern Thailand by applying the Objects of Sympathy, recommend the methods for improving the social well-being of the elderly by applying the Objects of Sympathy. The researcher conducts the qualitative research and reviews the literatures relating to the social well-being of the elderly. The research covers four areas including Wat Hua Fai School for the Elderly in Pan District, Chiang Rai Province; Wat Phra Baromathat Doi Saket School for the Elderly in Doi Saket District, Chiang Mai Province; Hom Suk School in Don Kaew Sub-district, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province; and Chor Hae Municipality School for the Elderly in Prae Province.

The research’s results are as follows:

1. According to the samples in four schools, the development of good social well-being refers to the good living in family, community, workplace, society and the world. It also includes good social service, peace, ability to live with other people. In order to improve social well-being in school for the elderly in Northern Thailand, the following six elements must be focused. 1) Leader: Leader must strive for change. He/she must be dedicated and has strong commitment to improve activities in school for the elderly. 2) Goal: Goal must be clear from the beginning coupled with persistent activities. 3) Engagement: Engagement creates bond among people and ownership feeling towards school. 4) Strong Social Network 5) Persistent Learning and Implementation Improvement: the elderly must have self-evaluation regularly in order to specify their strengths and weaknesses which should be improved 6) Support from local management organization

2. Patterns of good social well-being of the elderly in the North by applying the Objects of Sympathy include: 1) Temple-based school management pattern. Here, a temple plays a crucial role in school management. It is responsible for fund raising, coordinating, learning management for the elderly in order to improve social well-being of the elderly. 2) Hybrid school management pattern. For this one, all stakeholders engage in school management in terms of funding, knowledge dissemination, human resources, and other required facilities in order to improve good well-being of the elderly.

3. Methods for improving social well-being of the elderly by applying the Objects of Sympathy. The research shows that by applying the Objects of Sympathy, a large group of people can live together happily as it helps ease the conflicts among people and create peaceful society and nation. Therefore, the researcher recommends that four methods must be applied including 1) encouraging people to do charity; 2) promoting kindly speech; 3) encouraging people to do good things; and 4) promoting even and equal treatment. This Dhamma principle must be implemented in order to develop good social well-being in school of the elderly.