Kick-Off
University of Phayao’s Preparations to Support the Aging Society.
The University of Phayao is proactively addressing the needs of an aging population through various initiatives. These efforts are centered on providing health and public health services to the community, with a specific focus on the elderly. The university's ultimate goal is to promote overall societal well-being and cultivate a healthy and thriving community.
Currently, Thailand is undergoing a significant demographic shift, with approximately 20 percent of its population aged 60 or older. This indicates that the country is transitioning into an aging society. This trend is further exacerbated by a declining birth rate, resulting in an imbalance between the working-age population and dependents. As the number of elderly individuals in Thailand continues to rise, it is crucial to address their needs and ensure they maintain a high quality of life. To achieve this, there is a pressing need for comprehensive guidelines aimed at developing and preparing the elderly population in various aspects of life. These guidelines should cover health, economics, social support, housing, environmental considerations, as well as advancements in technology and innovation.
The university has organized a project to prepare for the aging society. It was piloted in the primary health dimension, including physical fitness assessment, dementia screening, osteoporosis risk assessment, oral and dental health screening, and laboratory tests for the elderly community of Phayao University. The project involved a total of 122 people from 18 villages in Mae Ka Subdistrict, with the participation of 150 individuals aged 51 years and over. The project was a collaboration between the School of Allied Health Sciences, School of Medicine, School of Dentistry, School of Nursing, School of Medical Sciences, School of Information and Communication Technology, School of Political Science and Social Sciences, and School of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Additionally, the university partnered with the Institute for Innovative Learning to offer training courses for personal development in preparation for aging, incorporating both health and social aspects, as well as income generation opportunities. These courses were offered both onsite and online. The onsite curriculum consists of 1. The course "Physical preparation before aging" by the School of Allied Health Sciences. 2. The course "Creating awareness of rights and social welfare" by the School of Political Science and social sciences 3. The course “Preparing for nutrition before aging” by the School of Medical Sciences 4. The Course “Preparing mental health before aging” by the School of Nursing and 5. The course “Creating a career and financial planning” By the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the online curriculum consists of 1. The course “Physical preparation before aging” by the School of Allied Health Sciences 2. The course “Creating awareness of rights and social welfare” by the School of Political Science and Social Sciences 3. The course “Preparing for physical Nutrition before aging” by the School of Medical Sciences 4. The course “Mental health preparation before aging” by the School of Nursing 5. The course “Creating health literacy” by the School of Nursing and 6. The course “Create a career” course and financial planning” by the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The University of Phayao has a policy that aims to provide people in the area with good health and social well-being, meeting the needs of being a university for the community. According to the aspirations of the University of Phayao “Wisdom for Community Empowerment”
The center's main goal is to promote the overall health of the elderly in the community. In the future, it will focus on upgrading the potential of centers that provide services for preparing for old age. These services include treatment, rehabilitation, and career promotion for the elderly. The center also serves as a knowledge hub for health innovations related to the elderly. It aims to increase the number of target groups in Phayao Province and nearby areas, helping them develop their potential for aging. Additionally, the center aims to enhance the potential of health leaders to support the aging society more efficiently.
Assistant Professor Puttipong Poncumhak, P.T., PhD.
Dean, School of Allied Health Sciences