Abstract
Older persons are an important resource of the nation; however, they previously had been viewed as
persons only receiving support from family and society. This research project was aimed at developing
friendship networks and increasing the potential of self-help groups to promote healthy aging among
community-dwelling older adults. Participatory action research was applied to older adults in
Woranakhorn subdistrict, Pua district, Nan Province. Data were collected using focus group discussion
and questionnaires. Content analysis was performed for qualitative data. For quantitative data analysis,
the mean, standard deviation, and paired t-test were used. The development of friendship networks and potential self-help groups resulted in several self-care
activities, including performing basic physical examinations and health evaluations, reciprocal caring
and taking care of each other within the community, and creating health-promoting activities applying
folk art and local wisdom. Compared with changes in older adults after developing friendship networks
and self-help groups, it was found that, after project intervention, the older adults who regularly participated
in the friendship group activities had friendship networks, friendship support, self-efficacy, healthpromoting
behaviors, and healthy aging greater than before the intervention, with statistical significance
at the 0.05 level. Therefore, promoting the potential of elderly individuals, empowering and using social
capital within the community can promote friendship group activities and self-help groups among community-
dwelling elders, thus facilitating the achievement of healthy aging.
