Readiness Preparation for Aging Approach of the Government Officials in Education, Uttaradit Province, Thailand

Abstract

This quantitative research aimed to study the readiness preparation and factors relating to the readiness for aging acceptance of the government education officials in Uttaradit Province, Thailand. A multi-stage sampling technique was applied to select 393 educational officers in the province. Data were collected by the use of a set of questionnaires covering 5 dimensions of aging approach preparation, and were analyzed by using frequency distribution, mean, standard deviation, Pearson’s correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis. Results showed that the samples’ readiness preparation situation of current health behavior was found at a moderate level (mean=2.28, SD=0.41). For their economic readiness preparation, 53.27% of them prepared to rely on their assets and monetary saving from their teacher cooperative, following by 24.67% of them buying the Government lottery. Their income source after the retirement was from the Government’s pension (74.05%). Approximately, 61.83% had prepared health care providers, of which 87.70% would be their relatives. The samples prepared themselves to accept their aging situation at a high level (mean=4.29, SD=0.87). Most of them (92.88%) had already prepared their own housing assets. For social planning preparation, it was found that 35.37% of them planned to live within the current working place. The physical activities after their retirement was mostly doing exercises (70.99%). The multiple factor analysis indicated that there was no variables directly related to the samples’ mental preparation and aging acceptation. This study could be useful for responsible governmental agencies to help the government officials in the planning for their aging life. Concerning agencies could apply some findings for establishing their policy to support the aging society of civil servants in aging health literacy, finance, accommodation and appropriate readiness adjustment.