Self-Care of Elderly People and Families of Ban Huai Haeng Community, Sawi District, Chumporn Province

Abstract

          This research is qualitative research. The objective was to study the self-care of older people and the care of elderly family members in the Ban Huai Haeng community, Sawi District, Chumphon Province. The group of informants totaled 30 people, including 15 older adults and a group of 15 family members or elderly caretakers. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The research findings revealed that: 1) most elderly in Ban Hui Haeng Commuity are able to take care of themselves well, even in nutrition, excretion, exercise, rest, personal hygiene care, social interaction, and stress management. The critical observation is that the elderly can adapt and learn to transition into aging effectively while maintaining a simple rural lifestyle. and 2) the families provide essential care for the elderly in general, which are eating, health care, traveling to different places, and financial status of the elderly, including care during illness, namely caring for the elderly with general diseases. It means caring for the elderly with congenital illnesses. Moreover, family members consistently accompany the elderly to their scheduled medical appointments. An important observation is that the family provides close and attentive care to the elderly.