Utilizing Mobile Technology Devices to Enhance Health and Quality of Life for Senior Citizens in Bangkok

Purpose: This research aimed to utilize mobile technology devices to enhance health and quality of life for senior citizens in a district of Bangkok. The new sport watch and mobile health devices can monitor and record all-day activity of their exercise, i.e. time, distance, speed, step, position (via GPS), heart rate, breath, blood pressure etc. Methodology: The questionnaires were designed to collect data on their health records, physical activity, and mobile health devices skill and quality of life. The target population was the seniors aged 50 up who regularly exercised at the public parks in Bangkok. Findings: The research revealed that the participants had a moderate to a high level of skill in using mobile health devices. The top types of exercises they preferred were walking, running, aerobic & dancing, bicycle and other sports at 54, 19, 16, 9 and 3 % receptively. Half (50%) of the participants suffered from the chronic diseases. They had 24 % with non-communicable diseases (NCD); Heart diseases & Strokes, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure and Cancer. Moreover, they were also found 11.43 % afflicted with Allergy and 18.57 % with Bone-related sickness and 15.71 % with other symptoms. Research Implications: With the utilization of advanced mobile technology, they revealed a high level of Quality of Life especially in Physical health, Mental health, Social and Living environment. Practical Implications: The overall average score was at a high level i.e. the seniors in the Bangkok district had a high level of quality of life by utilizing advanced mobile technology or mHealth to monitor and enhance their health through regular exercises.