Guidelines for Creating Happiness for the Elderly in Trang Province

Abstract

The research titled “Guidelines for Creating Happiness for the Elderly in Trang Province” aimed to explore guidelines for creating happiness for the elderly in Trang Province. This study employed a qualitative research design, utilizing in-depth interviews and focus group discussions as primary methods of data collection. The research instrument consisted of a semi-structured interview. Key informants were elderly who had the potential to provide information and played an important role in the community, including club presidents or representatives of the elderly, totaling 30 people. The collected data were analyzed using content analysis.

The findings revealed that developing guidelines for creating happiness for the elderly must encompass various essential dimensions in accordance with the indicators of elderly well-being established by the Department of Mental Health, Thailand. These five dimensions include: 1) Health – physical and mental wellness; 2) Recreation – engagement in enjoyable and meaningful activities; 3) Integrity – dignity, self-worth, and social recognition; 4) Cognition – mental clarity and continuous learning; and 5) Peacefulness – emotional stability and spiritual tranquility. To enable older adults to attain happiness based on these indicators, it is imperative to formulate and implement interconnected strategies at multiple levels: 1) Individual-level strategies, which focus on personal lifestyle practices; 2) Organizational-level strategies, emphasizing institutional support and effective management; and 3) Societal-level strategies, involving public policy and systemic interventions. Each strategic level must promote inclusive participation across all sectors and prioritize the well-being of the elderly. Moreover, these strategies should contribute to the enhancement of their quality of life and be holistically integrated across all stages of the human life course.