The Ministry of Public Health has invited the Japanese Inter-national Cooperation Agency to tour its services and facilities in the province.

The ministry's Health Depart-ment runs the provincial elderly programme, which is a community-based, integrated health care and social welfare project.

The Japanese agency is a big supporter of social development and poverty reduction efforts in Thailand.

Provincial Health Office representative Dr Sophon Mekthon said the Nonthaburi model could be expanded countrywide. The Japanese delegation is observing the model before deciding how it can help, he added.

Nonthaburi department director Sompong Boonseubchart explained that a rapidly changing society brought with it physical and psychological problems for the elderly.

The proportion of elderly people in the population is increasing rapidly. The ministry needs a plan for their care and management before state agencies become overwhelmed.

Pranangklao Hospital has been using the ministry's blueprint.

It divides its elderly patients into three groups - those in good health and independent, those with health problems yet still relatively independent and those needing care.

The hospital offers several programmes for each group.

For healthy and independent elderly people, there are social-services programmes. One of these helps elderly patients seeking hospital treatment. Another programme is the "friend help friend" scheme.

 The hospital works with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, too.

The hospital offers an "elderly club" where senior citizens can meet and participate in activities such as music and singing, birthday parties for members and games like petanque.

The hospital said many senior citizens simply did not like being alone at home while other family members were out working.

The Chit-Asa project sees elderly volunteers working at the hospital on the information desk, in the hair salon or providing entertainment for patients.

Yupin Dantrakool, 66, is a volunteer at the information desk. Three days a week she helps outpatients and visitors. "I feel happy to help others," she said.

She has volunteered with disabled elderly patients and with those suffering from chronic diseases, too.

Meanwhile, the hospital provides home care for patients, giving basic assistance and sometimes necessities like beds and other medical equipment.

The Wat Kae Nok temple in Muang district offers health-promotion activities for senior citizens with support from the hospital.

Each day between 5pm and 6pm, seniors can stay fit with aerobic dance.

Abbot Pramahasurasak Surako said the activities at the temple and school were important for elderly people.

The temple provides a clinic run by hospital staff and treats the elderly for common ailments like hypertension and diabetes.

Jakrapan Seebunruang,

Pasara Puthamat

The Nation