THE IMPACTS OF LIVING ARRANGEMENTS, HEALTHY AGING, AND WELL-BEING AMONG OLDER THAI ADULTS

The purpose of this exploratory-descriptive study was to compare the different living arrangements of older Thai adults on healthy aging and well-being in those attending the elderly school. The specific aims of this study were (1) to describe demographic characteristics, and (2) to identify differences between the outcomes the Thai Healthy Aging Instrument (HAI) and the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI) in older Thai adults 60 years and older based on the types of living arrangements. The Convoy Model of Social Relations was used as a guide for understanding the multifactorial nature of the social connection (Kahn & Antonucci, 1980). A convenience sampling design was used to recruit 139 participants living in Tambon Hua Ngom, Chiang Rai province, Thailand, for at least a year.
The sample included adults age 60 years and older who read and spoke Thais and had been participated in the elderly school at least once a month for one year. Among the participants (N = 139), 30 lived alone, and 109 lived with others. The findings of this study indicated that there were no statistically significant relationships between demographic characteristics between those who lived alone and those living with others, except for marital status. The participants living alone were more likely to be widowers compared to those living with others (p < .05).