Abstract:
The government has set a policy for the implementation of the long-term care for the dependency elderly (LTC) that has developed the operating model in each area. However, it still lacks a systematic implementation evaluation. This cross-sectional survey study aimed to explore the implementation of LTC of 45 local government organizations in Nonthaburi Province. Data collection was performed by using a self-administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and independent samples t-test with statistical significant level of less than 0.05. The crucial findings of the study revealed that the output of LTC implementation had the percentage mean score of 58.6. There were 16 local government organizations that passed the evaluation criteria (36%). The factors that were associated with the output of LTC implementation (p-value <0.05) consisted of 1) input factors such as participation in the Elderly Dependent Fund, and the adequacy of materials, devices, and supplies (wound dressing devices, walker, wheelchair, adjustable bed, air mattress, oxygen set, and suction unit), and 2) Process factors such as planning, managing, and monitoring the LTC implementation by the local government organizations that passed the evaluation criteria and had higher scores in all 3 aspects than the local government organizations that failed the criteria. Therefore, this study recommended that all local government organizations in Nonthaburi Province participate in the dependency elderly fund; this would help to support the implementation of the long-term care for the dependency elderly in order to provide the elderly with public health services according to a set of benefits linked to social services with the participation of all sectors.