Community empowerment in town municipality for the elderly health service system: a case study of Khukod Municipality, Pathumthani, Thailand

Abstract

Background: The number of elderly people is increasing all over the world. The health service system should adapt to accommodate the growing number of elderly people.
Objective: This study aimed to develop a community health service system for the elderly in a town municipality using community empowerment to collaborated with the town municipality and community representatives in order to develop and implement a community health service system for the elderly.
Methods: The researchers conducted three-team meetings with the town municipality and community representatives. Then, the town municipality and community representatives implemented the developed system in four communities, chosen by the town representatives. The health teams discuss the finding with the town municipality and summerised team preparation and research approach in health service system for development and planning.
Results: Home visits should include guidelines for caregiver assessment, training to using 1669 services and using 1669 mobile applications, and the collaboration between the Division of Social Welfare and the Division of Public Health and Environment in the provision of medical equipment for elderly patients.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated the feasibility of using community empowerment to work with the town municipality and community members in order to develop a community health service system in urban areas, where a system is far more complicated than one in rural areas.