Model for Well-being Development of the Elderly Tai Yai in Chiang Mai Province with the Culture of Karn Kam Sin Norn Jong

Abstract

This research article is a qualitative research with the aim to study the well-being of elderly Tai Yai, to study activities to promote well-being of the elderly Tai Yai and the Karn Kam Sin Norn Jong culture, and to present the model for empowering the well-being of the elderly Tai Yai in Chiang Mai and the Karn Kam Sin Norn Jong culture. The data are collected from relevant documents, in-depth interview, and focus group discussion of 28 people. The data are analyzed by content analysis.

The results of the research reveal that 1) it is a problem that the condition of the health of the elderly naturally deteriorates according to physical, mental, emotional, social, environmental, and intellectual aspects. There are underlying diseases such as blurred vision, aches, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and depression. 2) Well-being development activities for elderly Tai Yai can be promoted by using the Buddhist concept of living can be developed into 4 directions, including physical self-care activity, e.g. walking meditation, take care of relationships with others activity, e.g. keeping the precepts, take care mental state of mind activity, e.g. sitting meditation, and thinking activity, e.g. listening to the Dhamma. 3) The model for empowering the well-being of the elderly Tai Yai who practice meditation in the Karn Kam Sin Norn Jong culture, the elderly have the ability to use the wisdom, enable to make their own decisions such as 1) critical thinking empowerment, 2) problem solving empowerment, 3) decision making empowerment, and 4) self-control empowerment. The body of knowledge indicates that factors that promote success in empowering the well-being of the elderly Tai Yai in Chiang Mai Province concern with believing in Buddhism, keeping the precepts, practicing meditation, chanting in the morning and in the evening at home every day, going to the monastery to listen to sermons on important Buddhist days, and participating in the Kan Kam Sin Norn Jong culture. These factors make the elderly have the willing to participate in activities and take care of their health regularly.