Aging Population Challenges and the Role of Thai Adolescents in Caring for the Elderly: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the perspective and caregiving practices of Thai adolescents towards the elderly in the Northeastern region of Thailand. The study was carried out during July 1st to September 30th, 2023 among 1,551 participants in grades 4-6 from eight randomly selected schools. The analyzing using descriptive statistics. The results found that the average age was 15.30±1.66 years old, 62.4% were female, and most lived with their parents and relatives. About 36.4% of parents have experienced either widowhood or separation, 69.4% of families had a monthly income less than 15,000 THB. While 33.7% had an elderly person in the family, 1.6% lived with bedridden patients, and 40.3% required assistance in daily activities such as cooking, mobility, while 58.7% had diabetes and high blood pressure. 59.3% did not have a primary caregiver in the family, only parents or relatives usually taking on this role. Adolescent grandchildren spent the majority of their time on education. Almost one of three rarely took care of the elderly, even though their parents and teachers taught about moral responsibility. Regarding the belief in the merit that would arise from taking care of the elderly, one of five was indifferent or did not believe, while half of them believed to some extent. From self-assessment of their ability to take care of the elderly, most were in the moderate and low levels, despite receiving information from family, teachers, or various media. The predominant perspective is that caregiving is perceived as the responsibility of parents or health professionals, and the belief that the elderly is captious and irksome. Therefore, it is advisable to present policy-oriented information across education, health, and societal dimensions to support children and young people to learn about elderly individuals and instilling their responsibility within families and societies, fostering a sustainable and well-being-oriented community.

Information Messages Related to Mental Health Status Among Caregivers in Rural of Thailand.

This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the Mental Health Status and the relationship between socioeconomic background and mean scores of mental health variables among Caregivers (CG) in Maha Sarakham province, Northeast of Thailand. A total of 402 CGs were recruited from 32 sub-districts in 13 districts to participate with interviewing form. Data analysing used descriptive statistics and Chi-square test for the relationship of the socioeconomic and the level of mental health status of caregivers. The results shown that; 99.77% were female, age average 49.89+8.14 (range 23-75), spent time look after the elderly for average 3 days per week, worked experience for 1-4 years (mean=3.27+1.66 years). Over 59 % have lower income than 150 USD. The gender of CG was a mainly statistically significant with the mental health status (MHS) (p=0.003). Although, the other variables were not significantly statistics test, however, it found that all variables indicated in the poor level of mental health status. Therefore, the stakeholders who involves with CG should have concern to reduce their burnout, regardless of compensation as well as set up the potential of family caregivers or young carers to help the elderly in the community.

Implementation of a Geographic Information System-Based Smartphone Application for Health Vigilance in Older Adults by Village Health Volunteers (OSOMO).

This paper mainly studies the smartphone application for health vigilance in elderly adults, based on geographic information system (GIS) for village health volunteers (OSOMO in Thai) to monitor elderly's health. Eight areas from 4 provinces of 7th health territory (Roi Et, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, and Kalasin) were employed for research. The smartphone application called "OSOMO Prompt" was created for both iPhone (iOS) and Android devices for 1,246 OSOMOs. The comparison results of the difference of mean scores of knowledge of before and after using the "OSOMO Prompt" smartphone application, showed that the trial group, 240 elderly participants had the mean scores after smartphone application use of 1.69, higher than before use smartphone application. The results also indicated a statistically significant difference (p-value < .001) at 95%, confidence interval between 2.15-1.22. In conclusion, the "OSOMO Prompt" smartphone application was proved as a tool for village health volunteers to make health decision for the elderly persons. Moreover, the system was easy to use and could improve the quality of the elderly's healthcare.

Acceptability and Feasibility of Smart Phone Application "OSOMO Prompt" for Health Surveillance in Older Adults by Community Health Workers.

The magnanimous functionalities and flexibility of smartphone device make them well suited for collecting field data, especially for the local healthcare professional. This paper describes the results of the acceptability and feasibilityfor community health workers (CHWs) after using smartphone application called 'OSOMO prompt' app. The results indicated that the comparison of means of one sample t-test responses to the questions on the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of 'OSOMO prompt' app. The CHWs found that the high average scores of using the 'OSOMO prompt' app were useful in their job (mean=3.97±.68) and easy to use (Mean=3.95±.62). The app also had high score point of improving the quality of CHWs work, easy to do CHWs job, clearly and stability app while all items of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use were statistical significantly (p-value <.001). In conclusion, challenging of smartphone 'OSOMO prompt' app was feasible and acceptable to CHWs.

Symptom Management and Quality of Life of Palliative Cancer Patients After Being Administered with Thai Medicinal Cannabis.

This cross-sectional aimed to; 1) to explore the symptom management and quality of life (QoL) of palliative cancer patients, 2) to compare the perceived QoL outcomes between the patient who received standard treatment (ST) and who were treated with Cannabis treatment (CT). The study was carried out between 1st Febuary to 30st September 2021 from two hospitals in Roi-Et Regional Hospital and Sawang Dandin Crown Prince Hospital in Thailand. Using the EORTCQLQ-C30 and PPS assessment form, analysing with descriptive statistics, comparing mean scores for two patient groups by Independent T-test. The results found that patients of CT groups had a very high level of QoL while ST group had a high level. The consistency was statistically significant for overall QoL scores of CT higher than ST group (P-value < 001.0) both Cognitive functioning and Dyspnea symptoms (p-value=.05). However, the insomnia symptom indicated ST scores was higher than CT (P-value < 001.0). The results confirm that established the efficacy and safety of medical use of cannabis was benefit for patients. Therefore, it will be enhancing healthcare professionals to take opportunities for treatment for palliative patients' care.

Geographic Information System-Based Mobile Application Design for Health Care in Older Persons in Rural Community by Village Health Volunteers.

Health care for older persons is important for their well-being. In Thailand, village health volunteers (VHVs) play a crucial role in communicating between the older persons and health care professionals. Traditionally, they record and submit a monthly report as papers. This project was aimed to design a geographical information system (GIS)-based mobile application for health care in older persons in rural community by the VHVs. As a part of the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation (ADDIE) model, health information obtained from 8,348 older persons and 1,125 VHVs living in rural community were analyzed and used for the for iPhone (iOS) and Android devices, and web browser. In summary, this mobile application allows the VHVs locate the older person's addresses and communicate with health care staff online in time-saving manner.

Association Between Physical Activity and Osteoarthritis of Knee with Quality of Life in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Older adults are relatively physically active compared to other age group. A lack of physical activity (PA) can cause chronic diseases including osteoarthritis of knee (OA knee) and might eventually reduce quality of life (QOL). This present study was aimed to investigate association between levels of PA and OA knee with levels of QOL in community-dwelling older adults. One thousand and sixty-seven community-dwelling older persons were recruited to this descriptive study. PA activity questionnaire was invented. Standardized Oxford knee score and World Health Organization's Quality of Life scale (WHOQOL-BREF) were used to measure OA knee and QOL levels. Results showed that levels of PA in older adults were significantly associated with levels of OKS (χ2 = 78.565, P-value < .001) and levels of OA knee in older adults were significantly associated with levels of overall QOL (χ2 = 57.738, P-value < .001). Pearson's correlation also showed interrelation among PA, OA knee, and QOL. In conclusion, PA, OA knee, and QOL are interrelated. Therefore, close monitoring and design of proper PA activity should be implemented in community-dwelling older adults with OA knee.

GIS Identifies Elderly Healthcare Centre Future Planning: A Case Study of Local Areas in Northeast of Thailand.

Spatial density measures are an important tool for future healthcare planning, particularly in Northeast Thailand where the ageing population has rapidly increased for a decade. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship of geographic and elderly population density in Chiang Yuen district, Mahasarakham province, to ascertain suitable areas for elderly healthcare centres. The data of the elderly located in the villages were collected by the Global Position System (GPS) using Kernel density method to employ the analysis of population density, and GIS for healthcare mapping, and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) as multiple criteria decision-making tools. Factors were determined by using the overlay analysis method, where social, physical and economic factors were variables of interest that were used for the analysis of suitable areas for Elderly Healthcare Centres. The results revealed that the spatial density of the elderly population could be divided into four levels: Low density for the agriculture areas, medium density for agricultural areas including small villages. High density for the areas near communities and public area services and highest density for the centre of towns. The most suitable area was an area with many elderly inhabitants in the community, near transportation routes including main highways leading to other areas. In conclusion, the results confirmed that the density of elderly and proximity to both local stores and transport would make the lower part of Chiang Yuen Sub-district a suitable area to establish a healthcare centre for the elderly, therefore, the authorities and stakeholders should recognise this in planning.