A Participatory Management Innovation of Network Partners to Develop Quality of Life of the Elderly in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

Abstract

With the continuous rise in the elderly population, it is essential to prepare for enhancing their quality of life through an integrated model based on collaborative participation. Although various sectors have previously implemented initiatives in this area, many of these efforts were not appropriate with the local context. Thus, they led to redundancy, wasted resources, and social inequality. This situation prompted the formulation of the study’s objectives: to analyze the overall conditions affecting the development of elderly quality of life, as well as the role of participatory management by network partners. The ultimate goal is to propose an innovative participatory management model tailored to the context of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. Data were collected through document analysis and in-depth interviews focusing on general conditions and needs related to elderly quality of life. Participants included individuals from government and private sectors, local communities, elderly representatives, and academics. Focus group discussions were also conducted. The data were analyzed using content analysis and verified for accuracy through triangulation. Results revealed that the elderly faced problems across all aspects of life. Forming elderly groups proved effective in improving their quality of life in five key areas. Among these, health issues were identified as the top priority, highlighting the need for the development of family and community care systems. In contrast, environmental and technological aspects received little attention from both the elderly and their family members, indicating a need for targeted education by relevant authorities. The study also found that the management of local network partners faced challenges, particularly due to poor collaboration and coordination among team members. However, the introduction of a new innovation aimed at enhancing the participation of these partners in elderly care focused on five areas: fostering learning processes, encouraging collaboration across sectors, forming support groups, strategic planning and inter-organizational connections, and building long-term relationships within the network. This study offers an innovative approach to improving the quality of life for the elderly addressing five key aspects including health, social, economic, environmental, and technological dimensions. These solutions are designed to be sustainable and suitable for the local context.