STORYTELLING FROM MEMORY: PARTICIPATORY MODELS FOR TREATING DEPRESSIVE DISORDER AMONG THE DEPENDENT ELDERLY IN KHON SAWAN DISTRICT, CHAIYAPHUM PROVINCE

Abstract

The purposes of this research were to study the storytelling from memory and investigate the participatory models for treating depressive disorder among the dependent elderly in Khon Sawan District, Chaiyaphum Province by using a qualitative method. The research tool was an in-depth interview form. The key informants were community leaders, the elderly, caregivers or family members of the elderly, monks, and the officers of local administrative organizations, Tambon Health Promoting Hospitals and government and private organization. The descriptive analysis was employed for data analysis. The research results were as follows. The elderly often told the stories and events that happened to their neighbors. At the same time, they brought food to eat together. Their reactions were different depending on the stories. Some expressed stress, anxiety, mourning, or even joy and hopeful eyes. There were four participatory models for treating depressive disorder among dependent elderly people. 1) Participation in problem discovery and prioritization: The people in the community understood the problems in the community very well. They considered the problems by focusing on participation because it can affect the implementation of various activities in the community. 2) Participation in the analysis of the causes of the problems: In some families, young people had to work in other provinces to support their families. So, the elderly people were left alone or with their children. 3) Participation in the selection of methods and planning for solving the problems: Ban Sok community organized a community forum to talk, present and discuss about the problems, leading to an agreement on the discussed matters. 4) Participation in the implementation of the plan: Everyone participated in the activities, especially the elderly unable to perform strenuous work but do light physical activities. Moreover, people in the community gave important to the elderly as those having experience and being able to predict the results of activities, making the elderly satisfied and recognize their self-worth, and have happy body and mind.