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TITLE LIFESTYLES OF THE ELDERLY WOMEN LIVING ALONE UNDER DEVELOPMENT : A STUDY IN MUANG SONGKHLA MUNICIPAL AREA
AUTHOR JANYA JETTANASOMBOON
DEGREE MASTER OF ARTS PROGRAM IN POPULATION AND SOCIAL RESEARCH
FACULTY INSTITUTE FOR POPULATION AND SOCIAL RESEARCH
ADVISOR WATHINEE BOONCHALAKSI
CO-ADVISOR PANEE VONG-EK
 
ABSTRACT
This study is a qualitative research aimed to explore the lifestyles of elderly women living alone in the Muang Songkhla Municipal area which is a region under development. Data collection was done through in-depth interviews and observation with 19 elderly women living alone in the studied area. Content Analysis was employed for data analysis. The study found that the development of Muang Songkhla Municipal Area had not directly affected elderly women living alone since their lifestyles were still going on as usual, except that they had no income. Their daily activities started with doing the household chores in the morning and taking a rest and interacting with friends and neighbors in the afternoon. One interesting point found was that elderly women living alone paid attention to being healthy by consuming vitamins and clean, healthy food. Also, they avoided drinking alcohol, coffee and smoking. Some kept their good health by annual health checks and by doing exercise. Whenever they got ill, they would take care themselves first and saw a doctor if the serious illness occurred. This research found that, even though the elderly women were living alone, they had also interacted with others and took both roles of “giver” and “taker” at the same time. Although these elderly women were happy in life, they still needed care from their offspring as well as concerned support from the government. The study suggests that various supports from the government are needed for serving the various demands of the elderly. Hotline should be available for elderly women in cases of urgent need, and activities for the elderly should be promoted more and cover more target groups. More importantly, concerned agencies should take responsibility to promote “the elderly care” provided by their children since living in the warm arms of children is the ultimate happiness of the elderly.
KEYWORD LIFESTYLE / THE ELDERLY WOMEN / DEVELOPMENT
 
FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES. MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY. THAILAND
POWERED BY GITC.