In the present study, we examined how older people prepared themselves in older age, by drawing on data from a qualitative study conducted in an urban area in Khon Kaen province, Thailand. Data were collected using observations, natural interviews, and in-depth interviews with 35 older people, concurrently analyzed using thematic analysis. Preparation for aging, from their perspectives, consisted of attending to their physical health, spiritual well-being, and preparing for death. The degree and quality of aging preparation was influenced by life events, personal health status, and family economic status. People actively prepare themselves for aging, and this appears to help them as they encounter life difficulties during their old age. Lifelong preparation strategies need to be studied further, so that locally-appropriate strategies of health care can be implemented for older people.

The information sources on new drugs most frequently used by the physicians include scientific conferences, journals and medical representatives and they yearn for unbiased information regarding safety and efficacy of the promoted drugs before prescribing the new medicines. Thus, there is a window of opportunity for hospital pharmacists to serve the unmet needs of the physicians.

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Stroke is a major cause of long-term disability among Thai older persons. Stroke prevention at a primary care level is an effective solution to this problem. This action research aimed to develop stroke preventive care model for older persons in the primary care context. Forty three participants were stakeholders of a community health system in the northeastern part of Thailand. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. They were analyzed using content analysis, and were validated through data triangulation. The research process comprised of 3 phases: situation analysis; development process and model synthesis. Results showed "The Integrated Stroke Preventive Care Service Model (ISPCSM)" comprised of 7 keys preventive activities which were: 1) community awareness raising and proactive screening; 2) risk behaviors modification; 3) proactive NCDs clinic; 4) stroke warning management; 5) strengthening stroke fast track; 6) stroke rehabilitation; and 7) integrated home care. The ISPCSM for community elders required the integration of care services among stakeholders of the primary care context at all stages of stroke prevention (primary, secondary, tertiary).