WHAT WE NEED TO SOLVE THE URGENT CRISIS OF AND HOW TO DEVELOP SUSTAINABLE LONG TERM CARE IN THAILAND: POLICY MAKERS’ PERSPECTIVES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37268/mjphm/vol.18/no.1/art.248Keywords:
Community, Elderly, Financing, In-depth interview, Long Term Care, Policy maker, ThailandAbstract
Thailand’s growing aging population who have increased longevity has resulted in an upsurge in disability and the expectation of chronic diseases. The demand for increased care challenges the government to develop treatment and long-term management procedures. This study explores the following two objectives: 1) identifying policies for intervention that improve the quality of life of the elderly; and 2) developing a sustainable and feasible ten-year delivery system for Long Term Care (LTC). We conducted comprehensive interviews with 8 male and 3 female policy makers on LTC development for the elderly in Thailand and analyzed these transcripts by using NVivo 8 data analysis. Two independent investigations that contain thematic codes have been developed from the transcript subset’s first set. Six of the identified issues – care services imbalance, poor management, skill search, health workforce scarcity, regulations, and information system problems – are considered urgent and require a solution. The surveys reiterate that an LTC scheme will become family- and community-based in a decade. The improvements in the quality of life for elderly patients with long-term conditions are accomplished through integrated services, regulatory system consolidation, an LTC workforce, infrastructure delivery, and investment in elderly health groups. LTC must use an all-inclusive societal policy.
References
2. United Nations. World Urbanization Prospects: The 2014 Revision. United Nation, New York. 2014.
3. Suwanrada, W., Chalermwong, D., Damjuti, W., Kamruangrit, S., &Boonma, J. Long term care
system for old-age security promotion: research report. Office of the Welfare Promotion Protection and Empowerment of Vulnerable Groups, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.2010.
4. Hfocus. Lamsonthi model: Family Care Team prototype. 2016 [cited 2017 Nov 14]; Available from: https://www.hfocus.org/content/2016/04/12048.
5. National Health Security Office. NHSO board established sub-committee to develop elderly care in Thailand to support the aging society. 2011 [cited 2017 Nov 14]; Available from: http://www.nhso.go.th/frontend/NewsInformationDetail.aspx?newsid=NjIw.
6. National Health Security Office, Financial management framework for severe dependency elderly fiscal year 2016. 2015, National Health Security Office Nonthaburi.
7. Isranew agency. NHSO set a budget 600 million baht for dependent elderly care for 1,000 subdistrict. 2015 [cited 2017 Nov 14]; Available from: https://www.isranews.org/isranews/41355-nsho_41355.html.
8. Connors, MK. Political reform and the state in Thailand. Journal of Contemporary Asia 1999; 29(2):202-26.
9. Ockey, J. State, bureaucracy and polity in modern Thai politics. Journal of Contemporary Asia 2004; 34(2):143-62.
10. Saleebey, D.The strengths perspective in social work practice: Extensions and cautions. Social work 1996; 41(3):296-305.
11. Evashwick, C. Management training in long-term care. The Journal of health administration education 2001; 20(1):13-37.
12. Armoni, A. Healthcare Information Systems: Challenges of the New Millennium: Challenges of the New Millennium: IGI Global.1999
13. Stone, RI. Long-term care for the elderly. Urban Institute, Washington DC. 2011.
14. Pagaiya, N., & Noree, T. Thailand's Health Workforce: A Review of Challenges and Experiences. 2009.
15. Gaesawahong, R. A Review of Nurses’ Turnover Rate: Does Increased Income Solve the Problem of Nurses Leaving Regular Jobs. Bangkok Medical Journal 2015; 9.
16. Loux, A., Kerrison, S., & Pollock, AM. Long term nursing: social care or health care?: Judgment clarified the law but did not remedy its unfairness. British Medical Journal 2000; 320,5.
17. Sasat, S. Elderly Care assistant: Formal caregiver and quality assurance guideline in Thailand. Chulalongkorn University Printing House, Bangkok 2012 (in Thai).
18. Nittayaramphong, S-ng., &Tangcharoensathien, V.Thailand: private health care out of control? Health Policy and Planning 1994; 1:31-40.
19. Sriratanaban, J. Hospital Accreditation as a System Regulatory Mechanism: A case of Thailand. Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Assistant to the President, Chulalongkorn University 2013; 14(08).
20. Thanakwang, K., Ingersoll-Dayton, B., &Soonthorndhada, K. The relationships among family, friends, and psychological well-being for Thai elderly. Aging and Mental Health 2012; 16:993-1003.
21. Whangmahaporn, P. Collaboration of public services of Phayao elderly school, Northern Thailand. JurnalStudiPemerintahan 2012; 3(2).
22. Ratanakul, P. Reflections on Aging in Buddhist Thailand. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging 2012; 25(1):12-9. doi: 10.1080/15528030.2012.738582.
23. Knodel, J., &Chayovan, N. Family support and living arrangements of Thai elderly. Asia-Pacific population journal / United Nations 1997; 12(4):51-68.
24. Rittirong, J., Prasartkul, P., &Rindfuss, RR. From whom do older persons prefer support? The case of rural Thailand. Journal of Aging Studies 2014; 31(0):171-81. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2014.10.002.
