The Model of Health Promotion through Health Literacy Approach for the Elderly in Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

Elderly care focuses on slowing down deterioration and maintaining health later in life. This can be done through health promotion undertaken by systematic participation of the involvements aimed at helping the elderly attain health literacy, thereby enhancing their long-term self-reliance. The research was to 1) study the principle, objective, system, and mechanisms facilitating elderly club administration, 2) develop the models of health promotion through health literacy approach for the elderly, and 3) propose the policy suggestions for employing the developed model in the relevant areas. A mixed-method was used to study 634 Thai elderly. the 65 informants composed of the elderly committee and directors from six zones in Bangkok. The main results were the activities that contributed to the elderly’s health promotion in order of importance as “Walk, Eat, Sleep, Brain,” The process of the health literacy was sequenced by recognizing, trying to continually practice until good for health and tell good things to others. Factors facilitating the elderly club administration in four aspects composing of 1) committee, 2) budget, 3) materials, and 4) elderly members. The synthesized model was called Smart by LeIST @ BKK (Leadership: L, Information: I, Stakeholder: S, and Team: T). The major policy suggestions for employing the developed model in the relevant areas are the elderly clubs.  Corresponded agencies should correctly analyze the elderly’s needs to cover “Walk, Eat, Sleep, Brain” and use them to organize activities or projects in the health literacy approach. The research suggests that the officers should apply this model by considering principles, objectives, systems, and mechanisms according to the context. The longitudinal study and qualitative research should be further examined to employ and adjust this model deeply.