Solitary Death: Communicating a Reflection of an Aging Society

Abstract

        This article is written with an interest in the dimension of solitary death among the elderly. The trend of older adults living alone is increasing, which has a direct impact on the health care system and causing various challenges as a result. The article aims to explore the concept of lonely death among the elderly in the phenomenon of oriental countries. To encourage society to be aware and consider ways to deal with the challenges that Thailand is entering into a super-aged society. The study finds that components are leaded to the lonely death of the elderly can be divided into 3 types. (1) Characteristics of economic conditions: isolated deaths occur in line with the social structure of the country, especially the economic situation. As a result, many elderly people are forced to live alone, far from their children and grandchildren. Modern society governed by capitalism forcing people to move themselves to places where they can find funding struggling to survive and provide for their family, they may have to take their children and husband/wife with them while being separated from their elderly parents. (2) Characteristics of households without children (DINK—Double Income No Kids; and SINK—Single Income No Kids): the structure of the household “childless” has a higher proportion and is likely to increase. Many elderly people without children or grandchildren are without anyone to take care of them, there is no relatives and no one to help. These will become “vulnerable group” of society in the era of “low birth, long life expectancy”. And, (3) Lifestyle: lack of contact with society. Solitary death is a tragic phenomenon. It may reflect the failure of the society around the deceased, including family, friends, and community. A lack of contact with society, this is one element that may come from the fact that older people are distant from their relatives, deliberately avoiding contact with other people for personal reasons.