LIFE STYLE, PROBLEMS AND NEEDS AMONG ELDERS LIVING ALONE: A CASE STUDY OF OLDER ADULTS IN NAKHON PATHOM PROVINCE

Abstract

             This qualitative research was intended to investigate the lifestyle, problems, and needs of elders living alone. This study's key informants are comprised of 25 elders living alone in Nakhon Pathom Province. The research instrument consisted of 13 items of semi-structured in-depth interview form. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Additionally, data triangulation, method triangulation, and review triangulation were performed to verify the data's trustworthiness.

             The findings illustrated that problems of elders living alone consisted of 1) food chewing,  2) consuming a high fat, high sugar, and high salted diet, 3) inability to supply healthy food for  themselves, 4) inadequate physical activities, 5) poor sleep quality, 6) consuming tobacco and alcohol, 7) abnormal digestion and excretion, 8) having an underlying disease, 9) having low self-esteem, 10) having depression, 11)  poor supporting for crucial information, 12) inability to participate or engage themselves in any social activities, 13) inadequate social welfare; and 14) prone to home accidents. Moreover, their needs consisted of accessibility to quality and sufficient food, personal health care and environment, health care behaviors, transportation service to the doctorand sufficient income. The participants received some social allowance such as elderly allowance or handicap allowance. Furthermore, some special supports were provided for them, such as essential health investigation, recreational activities, and religious and traditional activities.

             This study's results could be used as empirical evidence-based for policymakers to establish service provisions to encourage older people living alone to perform their daily 12activities and guarantee access to health care for them.