LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND ELDERLY WELL-BEING: DEVELOPING THE RICHES MODEL FOR RATCHABURI'S AGING SOCIETY, THAILAND
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/apsr.2025.15Keywords:
Aging Society, Local Governance, Elderly Empowerment, Community-Based Development, RICHES ModelAbstract
Thailand faces a critical demographic transition, necessitating innovative local governance strategies, particularly for its rapidly aging population in Ratchaburi Province. This study aimed to develop an integrated model to enhance older adults' capacity in this context. Employing a Sequential Explanatory Mixed-Methods Design, the research combined a quantitative survey of 400 participants with qualitative interviews involving 36 key stakeholders, ensuring comprehensive data collection. The study's central outcome is the RICHES Model (Readiness Integrated Community-based Holistic Elderly Support), a six-component framework comprising Readiness Assessment, Integrated Support System, Community-Based Local Wisdom, Holistic Health and Well-being, Enhanced Technology Integration, and Sustainable Network and Monitoring. RICHES addresses older adults’ diverse needs, from tailored interventions and resource mobilization to leveraging local wisdom for economic empowerment, promoting holistic health, fostering digital literacy, and ensuring long-term program sustainability. This model aligns with the provincial context by integrating social, cultural, and economic capital. It offers a strategic framework for local administrative organizations and policymakers to enhance the dignity, health, and financial contributions of older people through a community-based, sustainable approach, significantly advancing existing frameworks and aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals.
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