Age-Friendly City Model, Nakhon Sawan Province

Abstract

This research on the age-friendly city model in Nakhon Sawan Province aims to study the development model of age-friendly cities based on the World Health Organization's framework in local administrative organizations that can manage age-friendly cities in a consistent manner and conducive to a good quality of life for older adults in Nakhon Sawan Province. The research employs a quantitative research method combined with qualitative research, with the objectives of conducting a cross-sectional survey and community participatory action research (PAR). Questionnaires were used as tools to collect data for evaluating age-friendly cities based on WHO's 8 components in 142 local administrative organizations. Subsequently, 14 areas were selected to participate in the development of age-friendly cities. The research was conducted from February 2024 to February 2025, divided into 3 phases: Phase 1: Study the context of the area, assess the situation of the area, and collaboratively analyze the situation against the standard criteria of WHO's 8 components to identify issues that need development. Phase 2: Select 14 areas that need development and are ready to participate. Organize focus group discussions with 10 stakeholders in the selected areas. Phase 3: Evaluate the results after development using the age-friendly city assessment tool based on WHO's 8 components and monitor the quality of life using the WHOQOL–BREF–THAI quality of life assessment tool's 4 domains. The statistics used were frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Paired t-test. The research findings indicate that local administrative organizations in Nakhon Sawan Province perceive age-friendly cities, across all 8 components, as mostly excellent, followed by good. When considering each component, the component with the highest mean was community services and health services, followed by buildings, outdoor spaces, and respect and social inclusion. The selection of areas for participatory development and the comparison of age-friendly city assessment results showed improvement in all areas: 2 areas improved from fair to very good, 10 areas improved from fair to good, and 2 areas improved from developing to good. In terms of comparing and analyzing the quality of life assessment results for older adults before and after the development of age-friendly cities, it was found that the quality of life of older adults in all 4 domains before and after the development of age-friendly cities differed significantly at the 0.05 level. This indicates that the development of age-friendly cities requires local administrative organizations, government, private sector, and community networks to promote an environment conducive to a good quality of life for older adults in the community