Age-Friendly Social Space in Rural Communities A Case study of Nong Waeng Village, Phra Yuen, Khon Kaen

Abstract

The situation of aging population in Thailand tends to be a super-aged society. Especially, in the Northeast, there will be a high proportion of older people who live in remote areas or rural communities. From these circumstances, communities are important for the living space of older people. The rural way of life relates to settlement, culture, and groups of people in communities. The interaction between older people and their activities in diary routine that creates social space as well as this environment contributes to the well-being for older people. Therefore, social space is essential role in developing of the quality of life of older people. This research aims to analyze social space of older people in rural communities in order to provide data for proper preparation for the aged society and to evaluate the environment for Age-friendly rural communities. This process demonstrates the relationship between the physical environment and groups of older people in rural communities.

Social space is not only generated by physical characteristics, but also the integration of the relationships with groups of people in the communities. These affect the quality of life of older people in using social space. The research uses mixed research method by interviewing, observing, and surveying. Moreover, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are utilized to explore the connection between physical environmental components and social aspects of older people within home environment, neighborhood, and communities. Through overlay analysis, the result reveals that in rural settlement, housing arrangement reflects kin relationships. This means the process of producing social spatial boundaries and a pattern of social behavior for older people in rural communities. The boundaries of physical space for older people does not depend on aspects of physical elements in communities; nevertheless, the generating of space mainly contributes to the way of life and social engagement. According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) concept of Age-friendly communities, the well-being for older people significantly emphasizes both physical and social environments. However, the way of life in rural communities does not explicitly prioritize the physical environment.