The Guidelines of Innovation Development to Enhance the Quality of Life for the Elderly in Surat Thani Municipality, Surat Thani Province

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to 1) examine the state of the elderly’s quality-of- and their needs in this regard, 2) analyze strategies for enhancing the elderly’s quality of life, and 3) propose innovative guidelines for enhancing the elderly’s quality of life in Surat Thani Municipality, Surat Thani. This study employed a mixed-methods approach. The quantitative data were collected through questionnaires with 354 elderly members of senior citizen clubs with in Surat Thani Municipality. The qualitative research used semi-structured interviews to collect data from 30 representative workers and representatives of the elderly group and group discussions from the elderly who are members of the elderly club in Surat Thani Municipality. A descriptive content analysis method was used.

The findings revealed that 1) Situation of quality of life of the elderly in general Most elderly people are able to help themselves and live their daily lives normally. As for the level of quality of life needs of the elderly, they have the greatest need for physical development. 2) Analysis of strategies for promoting the quality of life of the elderly found that Surat Thani Municipality has a development strategy. Social welfare and quality of the elderly. which can solve problems for people to have a better quality of life to a certain extent but it has not received the greatest satisfaction from the people in the area. Because the implementation of some projects still cannot solve the problems for the people according to their true needs and 3) Guidelines for developing innovations to promote the quality of life of the elderly found that There should be innovations to encourage the elderly to be self-reliant Innovative mechanisms for cooperation and development and innovation in creating safe spaces This is an innovation that responds to the problems and needs of the elderly.