ABSTRACT

The objectives of this research were: 1) to study the opinions of the elderly towards the efficiency of the Social Welfare Services for the Elderly in Landokmai Sub-District Administration Organization, Kosamphi Nakhon District, Kamphaeng Phet Province, according to the Buddhist Principle, Sangahavatthu-Dhamma. 2) To compare their opinions on the efficiency of the Social Welfare Services, according to the principle of the Sangahavatthu-Dhamma, also according to their personal factors, and 3) To study the problems, obstacles and suggested improvements to the efficiency of the Social Welfare Services for the Elderly in Landokmai Sub-District Administration Organisation, according to the principles of the Sangahavatthu-Dhamma.

This research applied Mixed Methods Research consisting of quantitative and qualitative research. For quantitative research, a questionnaire was used as a survey. For the qualitative research an in-depth interview with key informants was used. To support the quantitative data, a cluster sampling was used to collect data from 272 elderly people in LandokmaiSub-District Administration Organisation. To analyse the data; frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, T-test and F-test with one way ANOVA were used.

The results of this research:

1. The opinions of the elderly people towards the efficiency of Social Welfare Services for Elderly in Landokmai Sub-District Administration Organisation, Kosamphi Nahkon District, Kamphaeng Phet Province, according to the principles of the Sangahavatthu-Dhamma, were at the high level. When considering each aspect, it was found that the service aspect was at the highest level. However, the other aspects were only at the high level.

2. The result of the comparison of elderly people’s opinions toward the efficiency of Social Welfare Services for Elderly in Landokmaitok Sub-District Administration Organisation, Kosamphi Nahkon District, Kamphaeng Phet Province, according to the principles of the Sangahavatthu-Dhamma, was classified according to personal factors. It was found that people of different genders, ages, and levels of education, occupations and income had the same opinion towards theefficiency of the Social Welfare Services for the Elderly; so the hypothesis was rejected. On the other hand, people with different ages had different opinions toward the efficiency of the Social Welfare Services for the Elderly. Therefore, the hypothesis was accepted.

3. The result that was found while studying the problems, obstacles and suggestions for improvement were that the knowledge provided about health care for the elderly people and visitation for bed ridden patients were less. There was no service centre available to them for consultation or to ask for help. Outdoor exercise machines were not available for all settlements and funding support for Buddhist activities was on the low side. Hence, the organisation should provide and support the budget for the hospital to improve the health care of elderly people. The organisation should provide a service centre for the elderly and also provide exercise machines for every settlement. Supporting Buddhist activities is also necessary to establish policy guidelines for the welfare of the elderly by applying the Buddhist principle of Sangahavatthu-Dhamma.

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