Role of Subdistrict Administration Organization In Providing Social Welfare and Social Welfare Services for the Elderly in The Area OF Bang Phra Subdistrict, Nakhon Chai Si District, Nakhon Pathom Province

Abstract

        The research aims to study the roles and problems in providing social welfare and social work for the elderly of the local government organizations, the guidelines for the provision of social welfare and social work for the elderly of the local government organizations, and to find the pattern of social welfare and social work for the elderly of the local government organizations in Bang Phra Sub-district, Nakhon Chaisi District, Nakhon Pathom Province. The research method was a qualitative research technique. Data were collected by in-depth interviews from 3 groups including: 1) the people affiliated with local government organizations in the area, 2) the people who were not affiliated with local government organizations in the area, and 3) the elderly. The total key-informants in the mentioned 3 groups were 39 people.

         The results about roles and problems on providing social welfare services and social work for the elderly indicated that: (1) most of the elderly had physical health problems due to their lifestyle behavior and the environment. (2) Most of the elderly desired to be close to their family and wanted them to provide support and care. (3) Some elderly had mental problems such as feeling lonely and were discouraged in their physical condition. (4) Most of the elderly wanted to take part in activities if they had free time. (5) The elderly needed to have additional welfare or income security if they could not work. The guidelines of local government organizations in providing social welfare services and social work for the elderly were: (1) There were promotion and support in training and development of various careers for women's groups, housewives, as well as the volunteer group in which some members of the group were elderly people. (2)  Volunteers in local nurseries were organized to provide assistance and advice to those caring for elderly or bedridden people. (3) There is coordination with the provincial departments as well as social foundation in providing assistance with consumer goods, living facilities, as well as providing accommodation or house repairing based on a rotational basis, (4) Activities were organized on important days, such as the Songkran. (5) There were organizations of educational trips. (6) There were coordination with the sub-district health promoting hospital, village health volunteer and the hospital in the implementation of health activities. The model of providing social welfare services and social work for the elderly should be (1) the promotion of the establishment of the elderly club with network partners. (2) Problems should be mobilized in the provision of social welfare services for the elderly in the community by determining the importance and methods of solving the problems encountered. (3) There should have vocational training and career development to generate income only for the elderly who were unemployed. (4) Health promotion, disease prevention, health care education and advice should be promoted by shuttle service in case of elderly people who were disabled, bedridden sick since very old people could not travel on their own. (5) The establishment of a sub-district community welfare fund to help the elderly in the area should be promoted. (6) Field trips should be arranged for the elderly. And, (7) there should be teaching and learning activities for the elderly to keep up with the current changing era.