Integrated long-term care model for dependent elderly in Mahasarakham Province, Thailand

Background: Long-term care (LTC) for dependent elderly individuals encompasses a wide range of medical, personal, and social services designed to meet their physical, emotional, and psychological needs over an extended period. Objective: This study aimed to develop and evaluate an integrated long-term care model for dependent elderly individuals in Mahasarakham Province. Materials and methods: A mixed-methods research design divided into three phases: Phase 1 focused on identifying the problems and care needs of dependent elderly individuals; Phase 2 involved the development of an integrated care model; and Phase 3 involved the implementation and evaluation of the model. The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) application was crucial for identifying where care support was needed. The study included 95 elderly participants and seven caregivers. Data was collected using questionnaires and structured interviews. Results: The study included 60% female and 40% male participants, with the majority (34.74%) falling within the age more than 75 years. Hypertension was as the most prevalent underlying condition, affecting 42.11% of the sample. In terms of elderly dependency, 8.42% of participants were severe dependency, while 6.32% were deemed completely dependent. The Barthel ADL Index analysis showed that the average score for daily living activities before care was 6.56 (with a standard deviation of 4.64), and this score went up to 10.22 (with a standard deviation of 8.19) after receiving care. Additionally, caregivers’ knowledge regarding elderly dependency care showed significant improvement following a structured training program. The mean score of caregiver knowledge increased after the training, with the change being statistically significant. Conclusion: This model highlights its potential for broader application, offering a promising approach to improving the quality of life for the elderly by enhancing their ability to perform ADL activities. By integrating this program into local and regional healthcare strategies, it will contribute to the overall healthcare campaign, fostering improved health outcomes and a higher quality of life for dependent elderly people.