MANAGEMENT OF COMMUNITY ELDERLY CLUBS FOR IMPROVING WELL-BEING OF THE THAI ELDERLY: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

In Thailand, the elderly club is a public organization that plays an important role in developing the well-being of the elderly in the community. The aim of this study was to 1) examine the management of the elderly club and the characteristics of elderly well-being development activities, 2) investigate the management of the elderly club in developing elderly well-being, and 3) determine the factors affecting the successful management of the elderly clubs and the activities that improve well-being of the elderly. The employed research method was a form of phenomenological research, with data collection conducted via six focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. The participants were club committee members who met the inclusion criteria. Data was analyzed using the content analysis method and its reliability was verified by examining information against relevant literature, view of informants, and experts. Results found most of activities improving elderly well-being focused on health promotion and elder education. There were eight important factors affecting the successful management of the elderly club, i.e. competency of the leader and club committees, committee and member participation, regular activities, support from public health officers, financial self-reliance, external financial support, network partners, and social participation. The research also suggests five important factors affecting the activities that improve elderly well-being, i.e. external financial support, network partners, committee and member participation, social participation, and support from public health officers.