THE PATTERN OF CAREGIVING TO THE ELDERLY BY THEIR FAMILIES IN RURAL COMMUNITIES OF SURATTHANI PROVINCE by

This qualitative and quantitative research aimed to study the pattern of caregiving to the elderly by a family living in the rural community of Suratthani Province. The method of survey research was used for the quantitative style using a questionnaire form with the sample group of 397 families (161 male elderly and 236 female elderly) while in-depth interview of 8 well-cared for elderly and of 7 not well-cared for elderly were used for the qualitative research. Both of the elderly sample groups were obtained based on the feature of the caring that their families provided. The findings revealed 3 features of (1) a pattern that the elderly needed little help from others as they were able to perform their daily functions normally (2) a pattern that the elderly required more help from others as their abilities in daily func-tioning were less, and (3) a pattern that the elderly needed complete help from others due to their physical sickness. The recommendation includes the fact that although qualitative caring for the elderly is necessary, it is insufficient. An improvement of quality and competenc