Living in Harmony with the Community’s Nature and Socio-culture: An Ethnography of Healthy Older People in a Northeastern Thai Rural Community

Abstract

Preparing to enter old age is crucial for accommodating longevity. However, a holistic view of socio-culture and natural environments that influences the healthiness of older people is not clearly explained. This focused ethnographic study was conducted between December 2017 and July 2019 and aimed to describe the healthy ways of life of older people in a rural community of northeastern Thailand (Isan) and the influence of socio-culture and natural environment. Fifteen people 70-87 years old and 15 of the people involved were interviewed in-depth, and focus group interviews, participant observations, and document reviews were also conducted. The study found that healthiness was determined by physical strength and self-reliance and a peaceful mind and happy life. Living in harmony with the community’s nature and socio-culture was the healthy way of life indicated by natural/Isan food, modest physicalactivities, a peaceful life, community participation, and folk/modern health remedies. Their sense of healthiness was influenced by the conversion of the community in a concordant interweaving manner, including the preserved nature in the developed infrastructure,sufficiency/reliance in expanding networks, and spirituality in contemporary viewpoints. Healthy older people benefited from the community development mediated by the younger people. A holistic approach to natural resources and socio-culture with a balance between conservation and development is recommended for developing rural community nursing guidelines to achieve a healthy way of life for older people and others who are aging.