Healthy ageing in Isan-Thai culture—A phenomenographic study based on older persons’ lived experiences

Abstract

Healthy ageing is a concept that concerns older persons’ quality of life and is a key factor in promoting well-being. The older population in Thailand is growing. Isan (a region of north-eastern Thailand) has been reported as having one of the most rapidly increasing older populations in the country. In order to care for and promote the health of older people, healthcare providers should understand how healthy ageing is perceived by this target group. Although healthy ageing has been studied in different contexts as well as perspectives, no studies have previously focused on older persons’ experiences of healthy ageing from a lifeworld perspective in Isan-Thai. Therefore, the aim of this study is to describe older persons’ qualitatively different conceptions of healthy ageing in Isan-Thai culture. A phenomenographic approach with an epistemological base in lifeworld theory was used to disclose the various ways to conceptualize healthy ageing. Individual, qualitative interviews were conducted with 17 people aged 60 and above who live in Isan-Thai. The findings of this study revealed three categories of descriptions: “being independent in dependence,” “being at peace,” and “being a valuable person.” This study also found family members, friends, healthcare providers, and religion important to healthy ageing in the Isan-Thai culture. Understanding how older people conceptualize healthy ageing is valuable for healthcare providers. They can apply these findings regarding healthy ageing in their fieldwork when caring for older people.

Perspectives on Health, Participation, and Security Related to Active Aging Among Older Adults in North-eastern Thailand – a qualitative study

“…Managing late life was related to both economic and emotional aspects. Emotional aspects referred to understanding, acceptance and merit accumulation were similar to the ndings of Manasatchakun [29] that older people in good health viewed death as a natural occurrence to accept and be at peace with when it comes. The current study further found that they trusted merit-making to be a means to safeguard security after death.…”

“…Spirituality can likewise be seen as doing good for others driven by internal motivations, but it also results in being accepted by other people in the community. That older persons needed appreciation and respect from children, grandchildren, and friends was also found in Manasatchakun [29]. In late life, they mention having less time to accumulate merit that bene ts current living and the next life.…”

Conceptions of Healthy Aging Held by Relatives of Older Persons in Isan-Thai Culture: A Phenomenographic Study

“…We selected this province as the setting because it exhibits both rural and urban characteristics and is an example of an area undergoing modernization and growth [ 33 ]. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants from a list of family members caring for 17 older persons from 17 families who participated in a previous study on healthy aging in the northeast region of Thailand [ 7 ]. Various background characteristics, such as age, sex, marital status, and educational level, were used as inclusion criteria.…”

“…The concept of healthy aging is adopted and studied throughout the world [ 5 , 6 ]. In Thailand, studies of healthy aging have focused on older persons' perspectives [ 7 – 9 ]. The literature indicates that healthy aging is facilitated not only by older persons themselves but also by their families and culture [ 6 , 10 ].…”

“…A previous study of healthy aging in the Isan region showed that older persons' perspectives on healthy aging are related to the support that they receive from family members [ 7 ]. However, no studies focusing on the conceptions of healthy aging held by the relatives of older persons in the Isan region have been conducted.…”