Abstract
Vision and Direction toward Health System Reform:views of civil aging societyThe participatory research aimed to understand the following aspects which are related to aging issues in Thailand: a) the existence and situation of network of community based agecare organizations; b) roles, capacities and strategies of community based agecare organizations; c) vision and mission toward improvement of quality of life of older people in Thailand. The information fed by the participants, most of whom were older people from rural poor areas throughout the country, through participatory discussion that included A.I.C, focus groups techniques. There were 127 participants from non-governmental age related organizations, indigenous group of older people. Comparison of the image of Thai older people in future compare to current situation (2000), it is revealed that about half of the participants (55%) indicated that the living condition of the older people would be better than present because aging issues is being campaigned and well-recognized by public increasingly. The participants of all four regions stated that the aims of organizing activities are similar in terms of achieving the objectives of the establishment of the elders' clubs which aim to encourage older people to live with their families in communities as long as possible. However, the types of activities are different in accordance to the needs and preference of the older people and the conditions of the areas. The recommendations presented by the participants are similar which can be concluded as followed:All cares and services provided by the government sectors need to be reviewed, particularly actively provisions, instead of passively ones. Such provisions should be accessible by all older people and equally.Health promotion measures should be sustainable and should emphasis on health information for community and self health care. Prevention and control of diseases measures should go along and make sure that it can be brought to practice effectively.
