Health Management of The Elderly in Samut Sakhon City Municipality, Samut Sakhon Province

Abstract

This research objectives were: 1) to study the personal characteristics, family relationships, perceived factors, social support factors, and environmental factors of the elderly in Samut Sakhon City Municipality, Samut Sakhon Province; 2) to study the health management of the elderly in Samut Sakhon City Municipality, Samut Sakhon Province; and 3) to study the factors related to the health care of the elderly in Samut Sakhon City Municipality, Samut Sakhon Province. This research was a survey method.  The sample group consisted of 230 elderly people. The research instrument used was a questionnaire. The statistical used for analysis included percentages, means, and standard deviations, and the relationship was tested using the Chi-Square test at a significance level of 0.05.

The research results found that:

1. The majority of the elderly were female, with an average age of 74.32 years, had completed primary education, were engaged in agriculture, and had an income of less than 1,500 baht per month. Family relationships, Perceived factors, Social support factors were generally at a high level. Environmental factors were generally at a very appropriate level.
2. The health management of the elderly was found to be generally at a moderate level. Health care in terms of health promotion, disease prevention and self-care, ill, and the health service was at a moderate level.
3. Factors related to the health care of the elderly were found to be age, education level, family relationships, perceived risk of illness, perceived risky behaviors for illness, and overall perceived factors. Information support, psychological support, overall support factors, living environment, and environmental factors are related to the healthcare of the elderly. Gender, marital status, occupation, number of family members, perceived severity of illness, and access to welfare support are not related.