DEVELOPING THE POTENTIAL OF THE ELDERLY AND A MODEL FOR HEALTH TOURISM ACCORDING TO THE NEW NORMAL

Abstract

Background: Due to the COVID-19 outbreak situation, tourism in the Ban Tha Kan community has been halted since the end of 2019, causing the elderly, who earn revenue from selling products in the market, to lose their income, while the young people were forced to leave and work outside the region.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate and develop the potential of the elderly and establish a model for health tourism according to the new normal of life.

Methodology: The research and development procedure of this study was divided into three phases, as follows: Phase 1 gathering background information by interviewing 15 community leaders. Phase 2 developing a health tourism model through an activity named “Kad Mua Krua Oui” and testing its effectiveness on 30 elderly people. Phase 3 evaluating and follow up of the model’s achievements.

Results: The findings revealed that there was no statistically significant difference in the potential of the elderly before and after their participation in the activity. An enhancement in the quality of life among the elderly was observed significantly at the 0.05 level. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the development model is equal to 80.89/88.67, as informed by empirical findings indicating the elderly’s leadership role in the community.

Conclusions: The successful implementation of this model contributes to the enhancement of the elderly’s potential to be self-reliant based on the concepts of vitality and health tourism. This involvement fosters a sense of belonging, encourages independent thought, promotes social engagement with peers, and enhances familial interactions. This is one aspect of the elderly’s potential development that can provide a sustained state of vitality, thereby positively impacting their long-term physical and mental well-being. Nonetheless, in the absence of support or advocacy, the elderly’s potential would be lost.