Development of Aging Occupational Group in Makluamai Sub-district Administration Organization, Sungneon District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province.

Abstract

This research is participatory action research. The purposes of this research are to learn the basic data, potential and demand of aging occupational group development, to establish and operate the aging occupational group. The target groups are member of Makluamai’s sub-district elderly group, board and officer of Sub-district Administration Organization (SAO). Data collection methods were questionnaire, in-depth interview, focus group, brainstorm and lesson learned. The data were analyzed by induction and descriptive statistics. Validation was performed by triangulation. The result found that a survey on the availability of local communities had been done before operating. The elderly group had potential for developing in establishing an occupational group and was appropriate resources in the area; production skills / professional wisdom; coordination support from executive and officer of SAO. During operating, brainstorm was performed to establish the aging occupational group. The first step was a setting of committee. Then, balm and patchouli water were produced by the way of sharing knowledge, workshop among interested members. Logo, labels and packaging were firstly developed by researchers, and were operated at all by themselves finally. Management regulations and business plan implementation were issued by the group which was supported by SAO in local level. Monitoring and evaluation period found that producing and distributing in term of business operation were success and linked to continuous producing. The established committee had availability and satisfied with results of the operation. Learning in the process of production, marketing, financial, accounting and management by the group themselves were occurred. The key success factor of this research was cooperating in learning and practice between the elderly group, researchers and SAO throughout the research process.