Developing Activities for Development the Life Quality of the Elderly based on the Principles of Sufficiency Economy in Khonthee Subdistrict, Amphur Muang, Kamphaeng Phet

Abstract

This research has four study purposes : 1. to study the quality of life of the elderly, 2. to develop activities for promoting the quality of life of the elderly according to the philosophy of sufficiency economy, 3. to test the activities for promoting the quality of life of the elderly according to the philosophy of sufficiency economy, and 4. to evaluate the activities for promoting the quality of life of the elderly according to the philosophy of sufficiency economy. The target group consists of 45 elderly living in Ban Pho Pattana, Tambon Khonthi, Amphoe Muang, Kamphaeng Phet. The elderly chosen to participate in the activities for promoting the quality of life of the elderly according to the philosophy of sufficiency economy are from Ban Pho Pattana. All of 30 participants joined the research based on their own interest and decision. The result of the study showed that the quality of life of the elderly in Ban Pho Pattana, Tambon Khonthi, Amphoe Muang, Kamphaeng Phet is good. They are healthy, have the stable residents, and receive proper medical care according to their health. The target group is closely taken care by their family members, reflecting the elderlys' expectation about the end of their life: their children feed and are attentive to them.However, the most worrying aspect is that the elderlys’ primary sources of income are from the elderly care allowance and their children support. Only some of them are able to work. From the basic quality of life of the elderly and the group discussion, the researchers applied the philosophy of sufficiency economy to the community needs and built four activities which are making the herbal ball (dry), making Plai oil, basic massage for elderly, and making herbal soap from local herbs. The researchers found that the elderly are very satisfied with four activities because the activities are based on the basic needs. They are also able to apply the activities in their everyday life (like basic massage) and can deduce their family’s spending by making household’s appliance from local herbs such as soap and body massage oil.