The Guidelines for enhancing the Elderly’s Happiness with Recreational Activities.

Abstract

     The purposes of this research were to study the factors influencing the elderly's participation in recreational activities, the conditions of recreational activities for the elderly, the need for recreational activities for the elderly and to develop guidelines for enhancing happiness for the elderly with recreational activities. The sample consisted of 30 elderly people in Chaiyaphum Sub-district, Chaiyo District, Ang Thong Province. The research tool was the questionnaire developed by the researcher. The researcher then analyzed the data by using frequency, percentage, mean ( ), and standard deviation (S.D.). A model of elderly happiness was also developed by using the Delphi technique with 17 experts, the data was then analyzed for median (Me) and interquartile range (IQR). The results of research can be concluded as follows:

     1) Factors influencing participation in recreational activities consisted of 4 factors: motivating factors, perception factor, attitude factor, and the learning factor.

     2) In the aspect of the conditions of recreational activities for the elderly, it was found that overall opinion concerning the activities of the elderly was good with the means of 3.50 and the standard deviation of 0.60. When each aspect was considered, it was found that all aspects was at a high level with the overall opinion toward the recreational activities for the elderly was at a good level such as the personnel, activities, management, place, equipment, and facilities with the means of 3.58, 3.54, 3.50 and 3.41 and the standard deviation of 0.61, 0.55, 0.52 and 0.64, respectively.

     3) In the aspect of the needs for organizing recreational activities, it was found that the elderly needed a club to be established in each community for them to join together to participate in recreational activities. Additionally, community leaders will also need to arrange a space or place to coffee break corner for the elderly to meet, socialize, and discuss community activities. There should also be public relations to provide information so that the elderly can take part in the activities and communities should provide simple income-earning activities to the elderly such as making artificial flowers, basketry, etc. so that the elderly can beneficially spend their time and make extra money. There should be special privileges for the elderly in accessing community services. The community should provide opportunities for older people. Community should also give opportunity for the elderly to comment on community events. Staff should be organized to provide advices on health care, exercise, participation in activities to the elderly. In the morning, the elderly will exercise in various areas. There should be wire broadcasting to public relate the information. Social activities should be organized so that the elderly can participate to give back to the community. The integration of the elderly in each community should be encouraged.

      4) In the aspect of the guidelines for enhancing happiness for the elderly with recreational activities, it was found that the guidelines to enhance the happiness of the elderly with recreational activities composed of four guidelines: including the staffs, place, equipment and facilities, activities characteristics, and recreational activities management for the elderly. The experts had consistent opinions with the median of 3.50 and above, and interquartile range of 1.50 and below in each aspect.