The development of an elderly health system based on community capital in the urban area of Phitsanulok Province

Abstract

This research aims to 1) study the roles of relevant agencies in developing the health system for the elderly using community capital as a base in the urban area of ​​Phitsanulok Province, and 2) find a guideline for developing the health system for the elderly using community capital as a base in the urban area of ​​Phitsanulok Province. This research used a qualitative research method using field research and self-collection of data from the actual area (Field Research) using in-depth interviews with key informants, considering those who played a role and were involved, namely, Group 1, relevant government officials, and Group 2, the public and private sectors. There was 1 case study area, which was the urban area, namely, Plai Chumphon Subdistrict Municipality, Phitsanulok Province. The tools and techniques used in data collection were in-depth interview questions with 4 government officials and 4 public officials, and data analysis from in-depth interviews with key informants. (Key-Informants) and content analysis (Content Analysis). All obtained data are examined together in order to categorize the data and select data that meets the research objectives. This then leads to the presentation of descriptive data, which is a written description and detail of the content and findings of the research, leading to a discussion of the results.

            The research results found that (1) The roles of relevant agencies in developing the health system for the elderly using community capital as a base in the urban area of ​​Phitsanulok Province. Various agencies in Phai Chumphon Subdistrict play an important role in developing the health system for the elderly using community capital as a base that emphasizes integration and participation of all sectors, including 1) Subdistrict Health Promotion Hospital, providing physical and mental health care services, such as home visits, caregiver training, and regular health check-ups. 2) Temples and monks support spiritual care, such as meditation activities and training to promote peace. 3) Elderly schools strengthen society through learning and career development, such as training in making desserts and local products. 4) Phai Chomphon Municipality supports budgets and activities to develop human capital, such as career promotion and cultural activities. These roles emphasize the use of community capital, such as human capital, social capital, and cultural capital, to create a health system that responds to the needs of the elderly sustainably. 5) Volunteer networks and village health volunteers play a role in caring for homebound, bedridden elderly, and elderly who need assistance in the community. (2) Results of the study on guidelines for developing the health system for the elderly It was found that the effective approach to developing the health system of the elderly requires the use of community capital in various dimensions, including 1) physical aspect, promoting exercise, annual health check-ups, and providing medical equipment; 2) mental aspect, organizing meditation activities, providing spiritual support, and promoting the elderly to have a place to express their feelings; 3) social aspect, organizing group activities in schools for the elderly, such as exchanging knowledge and promoting participation in merit-making and traditions; and 4) environmental aspect, improving the safety of the elderly’s homes, developing common areas in the community, such as temples and community centers. These actions require participation from all sectors, including network connections both within and outside the community.