Healthcare Service Systems in Thailand: Accessibility of Dependent Elders
Srisatidnarakul B, RN, PhD1, Bunthumporn N, RN, PhD1
Affiliation : 1 Faculty of Nursing, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand
Background : Basically, elders face health problems both physically and mentally because of their health deterioration. Therefore,
they need more healthcare services than other aged groups. For this reason, healthcare services for this aged group should be
available, adequate and accessible.
Objective : The operation endeavors to review the accessibility of healthcare services for elders, especially dependent elders in
Thailand.
Materials and Methods: The authors reviewed literatures in terms of the aging situation, the healthcare services system, the
accessibility to healthcare services, and the challenges of the healthcare accessibility of dependent elders in Thailand.
Results : The accessibility to healthcare services for elders still have some limitations, especially in the oldest group (over 80 years
of age) because of many issues, such as financial problems, lack of caregivers, and in terms of where they live. For these reasons, they
cannot access those services even though the services are available and adequate.
Conclusion : There are multiple levels of healthcare services provided for all ages, but the services specifically for elders, especially
dependent elders, have some limitations. Therefore, there are still many challenges that the government needs to work on to
support the aging society.
Keywords : Healthcare services system, Accessibility to healthcare services, Dependent elders
