A model for preparing for old age among people aged 50-59 years, through the participation of network partners in Sam Phran District, Nakhon Pathom Province

Abstract

This research employed a mixed-methods research design. The objectives were to:   
1) study the current situations, problems, and needs regarding preparation for entering old age among pre-elderly individuals aged 50–59 years; 2) develop a preparation model for entering old age through network alliance participation; and 3) evaluate the effectiveness of the developed model. The quantitative sample consisted of 420 pre-elderly individuals aged  
50–59 years, with 50 individuals participating in the One experimental group. The qualitative key informants included 10 individuals selected through purposive sampling based on specified criteria. The research instruments comprised questionnaires (IOC = 0.82, Cronbach’s alpha = 0.89), in-depth interview guidelines, and the developed preparation model for entering old age through network  partners alliance participation in Sam Phran District, Nakhon Pathom Province. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Friedman test, and content analysis. The research findings revealed that the needs for aging preparation encompassed physical, psychological, economic, social, and daily living dimensions. The developed model integrated participatory learning activities with community network alliances. The results demonstrated that after the intervention and during the follow-up period, the mean scores for aging preparation were significantly higher than those before the intervention. Participants reflected that the activities could be effectively applied to health care, behavior modification, and future life planning. The study indicates that developing an aging preparation model through community network alliance participation effectively enhances the potential and readiness of pre-elderly individuals. This model should be scaled up to other areas and population groups.