The Occupational Development for the Elderly by the Community Participation in Strengthening the grass root Economy of the poor suburban communities in Bangkok.

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to 1) analyze the occupational situation of the elderly in the suburban poor community of Lat Krabang, Bangkok 2) develop the occupational group for the elderly by the community participation by develop format and the production system, the sales distribution, and the management for the elderly occupational group in the communities.  This research used the community-based research methodology.  The focus was on encouraging the community members to be the researchers, and using the participatory approach in managing the research project from the upstream, the midstream to the downstream.  According to the research findings on the occupational situation of poor suburban communities in Lat Krabang revealed that the community members used to have the local wisdom for culinary, but has now been extinct.  Regarding the occupational promotion and development guideline for the elderly in the community, it consisted of the potential and the competency development for the elderly members of the occupational group in poor suburban communities.  In terms of the development of the elderly occupational group with the community participation, it was participated by people from three stages of life, these were elderly, middle-aged, and youth.  In order to develop the format and the production system, the sales distribution, and the management for the occupational group of the elderly in the community, it had to delegate duties and responsibilities according to the organization structure, for example: the divisions of purchasing, raw materials and production, accounting and finance, online and offline marketing.

Keywords: Occupational Development for the Elderly with Participation, Strengthening Grassroots Economy, Suburban Poor Communities