AN EVALUATION OF SOCIAL SERVICE FOR THE ELDERLY IN LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATIONS IN NARATHIWAT PROVINCE

Abstract

The objectives of this research were 1) to study the relationship between contexts, input factors, process, outputs and social service management for the elderly in the area of local Administrative Organizations in Narathiwat province, and 2) to study problems, obstacles and solutions for social services for the elderly in Narathiwat local Administrative Organizations. The research methodology used in this study was mixed method. The samples for this research consisted of 11 Municipalities local Administrative Organization of Narathiwat province. The sample group was selected by multi stage sampling technique comprised of the chief executives of Narathiwat local Administrative Organizations, the officers who were responsible for providing social services to the elderly, community leaders, the representatives of the communities and the elderly in Narathiwat local Administrative Organizations. The data were collected by interviewing 78 key informants, and the sample consisted of 416 respondents. The tools used in this research were 5- level rating scale questionnaire. The data were analyzed using statistical composed of percentage mean, standard deviation and t-test. The qualitative research was concluded by in-depth interviewing, and the data were analyzed using the content analysis of opinions on the context, inputs, process, outputs and social service management for the elderly in local Administrative Organizations in Narathiwat province.

The research findings revealed that:

1. The context of the input factors and the process of outputs influenced the provision of social services to the elderly in local Administrative Organizations in Narathiwat province. The process and outputs had direct influence on the provision of social services to the elderly in Narathiwat local Administrative Organizations. The input factors had a direct influence on the process and the outputs of social services for the elderly in Narathiwat local Administrative Organizations. The process and outputs had a direct influence on the provision of social services to the elderly of Narathiwat local Administrative Organizations. According to the study, it was found that the opinions of all latent variables were at a high level (5 levels). In terms of input factors, the average was 4.03. The average of the process was 4.04. The average of the process was 4.02. The average of social services for the elderly of Narathiwat local Administrative Organizations was 4.07, and the path coefficient was 0.196 (t = 4.734, p <.01).

2. In terms of service management at the municipality office, the elderly who were Buddhist and Islamic, the service time were separate for convenience reasons. The elderly had different convenience time. The municipality offices organized the project without elaborating the details of the project to the elderly. Some elderly lacked of knowledges about law and rules of the municipality because they were illiterate. Moreover, the municipalities rarely organized the projects which brought about the elderly did not know the regulations of the municipalities.