The Management of Health for The Elderly by Buddhist Integration of Chaisathan Municipality, Saraphi District, Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: 1) To study the level of health 
management for the elderly in Chaisathan Sub-district Municipality, Saraphi District, 
Chiang Mai Province; 2) To compare the opinions on the health management of the 
elderly in Chaisathan Sub-district Municipality, Saraphi District, Chiang Mai Province 
classified by personal factors; 3) To propose an integrated Buddhist management 
approach for elderly health in Chaisathan Sub-district Municipality, Saraphi District, 
Chiang Mai Province. The research methodology was a mixed method by quantitative research with survey research from the sample population including 302 elderly people 
aged 60 years and over, using the formula for calculating the sample size of Taro 
Yamane. Data were analyzed by finding frequency, percentage, mean, and standard 
deviation; and qualitative research by in-depth interviews with 10 key informants or 
people using descriptive content analysis techniques, summarized into essays. 

The results of this study revealed as follows:  

1. 
The health management of the elderly in Chaisathan Sub-district 
Municipality, Saraphi District, Chiang Mai Province according to 4 Bhawana principles 
were generally at a high level. And when classified by aspect, it was found that physical 
meditation was at a high level, moral meditation was at a high level, spiritual 
meditation was at a high level and intellectual mediation was at a high level. The 
health management of the elderly in Chai Sathan Sub-district Municipality, Saraphi 
District, Chiang Mai Province was generally at a high level. When classified by aspect, it 
was found that the physical health aspect was at a high level, social health was at a 
high level, mental health was at a high level a high level and intellectual health at a 
high level 

2. The comparison of opinions on the health management of the elderly in 
Chaisathan Subdistrict Municipality, Saraphi District, Chiang Mai Province. When 
personal factors were classified, it was found that the comparison of overall opinions 
on the health management of the elderly of Chai Sathan Sub-district Municipality, 
Saraphi District, Chiang Mai Province, classified by sex, occupation, income, health, 
exercise and religious activities were no different. The results of comparison of opinions 
on the health management of the elderly of Chai Sathan Sub-district Municipality, 
Saraphi District, Chiang Mai Province, as a whole, classified by age were significantly 
different at the 0.05 level.  

3. In terms of problems, obstacles, and suggestions for health management of 
the elderly in Chaisathan Sub-district Municipality, Saraphi District, Chiang Mai Province, it was found that in terms of the 4 Bhawana principles, the elderly had congenital 
diseases. Their bodies were not strong, so they could not exercise as much as they 
should and could not participate in Dharma practice. Therefore, exercise and dharma 
practice activities within the community should be organized for the elderly. Regarding 
the health management of the elderly, the elderly thought that they did not have the 
ability to work with others because they thought they were getting older, their bodies 
were not healthy, and they were not accepted by society as people saw that the 
elderly should rest. As a result, the elderly could not transfer accumulated wisdom to 
others. Therefore, confidence must be built for the elderly to integrate and be more 
accepted by society.