Creating Lifelong Learning of Elderly Person in the Northeastern of Thailand

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study ways to promote lifelong learning among aging citizen in the northeastern of Thailand. The target population were 33 persons who concerned in promoting lifelong learning of elderly in the northeastern of Thailand. The research instrument was structured interviews form. The data was analyzed by using content analysis. The research results were as follows: The promotion of lifelong learning among the elderly person in the Northeastern of Thailand should include: 1) Physical health aspect. Elderly person should be promoted to co-operation with a team of health personnel, learned to change their healthy behavior from various kinds of media, especially online media, learned from activities provided knowledge about how to self-care based on the alternative medicine. 2) Psychological aspect. Elderly person should learn from training and field trip, learn from the edutainment activities. Learn from activities which was not emphasis on theoretical but focus on recreation or activity that helps relieve solitude loneliness or boredom. All lesson should be emphasized on mental through informal education. 3) Social relations aspect. Elderly person should be learned by the combination of management in-school education, ex-school education and integrated informal education. They should be participated in the knowledge sharing activities. Moreover, they should be promoted to form a partnership networks for learning among elderly person and they also should be encouraged to select their leaders. The leader will lead the learning activities which be operated by the principle of participation of all members in the community together take good care of their elderly person. 4) Economic and revenue aspect. Elderly person should learn about elderly related welfare and benefits, basic rights of elderly person, elderly fund and related legal. Local governments should provide programs to educate about the quality of life focus on economic of elderly person, provide short courses for career development or supplementary of their income based on their interests freely by using resources available in local as a revenue supplement.