Development of Buddhist Community Caregivers and the Support of the Aging Society at the Sub-District Level

Abstract

The purposes of this research article were 1) to study and analyze the roles and responsibilities of community caregivers in supporting an aging society at the sub-district level; 2) to develop Buddhist community caregivers and support an aging society at the sub-district level; and 3) to extract lessons from the development of Buddhist community caregivers and supporting the aging society at the sub-district level. It was an action research. The research team has determined the target area in Nong Nom Wua Subdistrict, Lat Yao District, Nakhon Sawan Province. Collecting data was done by planning, implementing, evaluating, and reflecting the results of driving activities. Descriptive content analysis was used. The results of the research found that 1) study and analysis of the roles and responsibilities of community caregivers and supporting the aging society at the sub-district level found that community caregivers had responsibilities: 1.1) health promotion aspect, 1.2) health prevention aspect, 1.3) primary health care aspect, 1.4) restoring health aspect; 2) development of Buddhist community caregivers and supporting the aging society at the sub-district level found that the development of Buddhist community caregivers has applied  Bhavana 4 to the development of community caregivers in taking care of the elderly,  2.1) health promotion (Kayabhavana) has been physically developed, 2.2) prevention (Silabhavana) received behavioral development, 2.3) treatment (Cittabhavana) received mental development training, 2.4) rehabilitation (Panyabhavana) received intellectual development, gained knowledge in rehabilitating the body and mind of the elderly with correct and appropriate principles; and 3) extracting lessons from the development of Buddhist community caregivers and supporting the aging society at the sub-district level found that the factors affecting success were clearly planned. Community participation, network partners, local leaders/community organizers in the field of care, applying Bhavana 4 to the health dimension will gain knowledge, attitude, and practical skills appropriate for the elderly.