Type of Potential Elderly School Participatory Modelat Tambon Lankhoi, Paphayom District, Phatthalung Province

Abstract

This research aimed to: 1) examine the operational outcomes of the elderly school; 2) investigate the expectations of the elderly toward the operation of the elderly school; and 3) propose a management model for the elderly school of Lan Khoi Subdistrict Municipality, Paphayom District, Phatthalung Province. The study employed a mixed methods research design. Data were collected through documentary research, in-depth interviews with 49 key informants, five participatory meetings, and questionnaires administered to 325 elderly participants. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis.

The findings of the study revealed that 1) The problems identified were that community members lacked participation and awareness in joining activities at the Elderly School; the budget allocated for support was insufficient for effective administration; the activities provided by the Elderly School were not diverse; and although some older adults were willing to participate, they lacked transportation or someone to bring them to the school. 2) The expectations of older adults toward the implementation of the Elderly School regarding quality of life in terms of physical health, mental well-being, social relationships, environment, and overall quality of life were at a moderate level. Among these dimensions, mental well-being had the lowest mean score. And 3) The management model of the Elderly School of Lan Khoi Subdistrict Municipality, Paphayom District, Phatthalung Province, was a model for promoting lifelong learning aimed at improving the quality of life of older adults in physical, psychological, social, and economic dimensions.