Development of Long-Term Dependent Elderly Care System in PLAI Health Promoting Hospital Sub-district, Prasat District, Surin Province.

Abstract

     This research is an action research with the objective of developing a long-term care system for the elderly and dependent people in the Phai Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital, Prasat District, Surin Province. The sample group consists of those involved in the care of the elderly and dependent people, both inside and outside the community, including elderly care managers, elderly caregivers, family doctor teams, and relatives of the elderly or dependent people. Before the system development, there were 266 people and after the system development, there were 279 people. Quantitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews and quantitative questionnaires using semi-structured interviews and general information questionnaires, knowledge assessment, participation, and community satisfaction. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequency distribution, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. The research is conducted in 2 phases: Phase 1: System development for 2 years and 6 months (January 2021-June 2023) and Phase 2: System development effectiveness study for 1 year (July 2023-July 2024).

     The results of the study found that Phase 1, the system development, consisted of 3 stages: pre-operation stage, operation stage, and post-operation stage. Phase 2, the study of the effectiveness of the development of the system for caring for the elderly and long-term dependent persons, found that after the development of the system for caring for the elderly and long-term dependent persons, the sample group had a significantly higher level of knowledge and satisfaction than before the system development stage (p-value ‹ 0.05). The level of participation was not different before and after the system development stage.