Management of Wisdom Knowledge to PracticeFor Enhancing the Elderly’s Potentiality

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: 1) to study general condition, fundamental data and the elderly’s wisdom, 2) to study wisdom knowledge management of the elderly in aspects of health promotion, vocation, and local culture, 3) to enhance the elderly’s potentiality and distribute the body of knowledge in aspects of health promotion, vocation, and local culture in Wat Suan Yai community, Watchalor sub-district, Bang Kruay district, Nonthaburi province. The research methodology used a mixed methods research combining qualitative and quantitative approaches. The research sample comprised of 108 people. The research instruments were a structured interview and a questionnaire. The data obtained was analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and content analysis. The research found that 1) in aspect of health promotion, the elderly’s wisdom in Wat Suan Yai community and the wisdom that should be conserved and distributed to interested people were staff dancing, herbal medicine (Smarn Bath balm) , traditional massage, and bio-fermented liquid; 2) in aspect of vocation, the wisdom that that should be conserved and distributed were coin wrapping, gold leaf pounding, and plant propagation; and 3) in aspect of local culture, the wisdom that that should be conserved and distributed were making desserts, royal crispy rice, steamed serpent-headed fish with curry paste, Vietnamese stuffed crispy omelet, and green taro stem curry. Also, it was revealed that the participants of the workshop training in wisdom knowledge management of the elderly were extremely satisfied with the workshop in all aspects. In order to enhance the potentiality and distribute the body of knowledge of the elderly, the method of wrapping coin, making Smarn Bath balm, and making desserts were collected and published in the book named “The Elderly’s Wisdom of Wat Suan Yai Community” for propagation to interested people who would like to learn about and make the products mentioned by themselves.