Strengthening Long-Term Care for Bedridden Elderly: A Community-Driven Integrated Care Model in Thailand

Authors

  • Prapaporn Muangkaew Nakhon Sawan Rajabhat University, Thailand Author
  • Worraphol Waengnork Rajabhat Rajanagarindra University, Thailand Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64397/nepj.v01i02.2025.a16

Keywords:

long-term care, bedridden elderly, integrated care model, community health nursing, chronic care model

Abstract

.

Introduction: Thailand is approaching super-aged society status, yet fragmented coordination and inadequate caregiver support hinder effective long-term care for bedridden elderly, particularly in rural areas.

Aim: To develop and evaluate a community-driven integrated care model for bedridden elderly based on the Chronic Care Model (CCM).

Methods: A three-phase mixed-methods study was conducted in rural Thailand: (1) situational analysis with 64 stakeholders, (2) participatory model development and expert validation, and (3) eight-month implementation with 25 bedridden elderly and their caregivers (January–August 2021).

Results: The six-component model (health system organization, delivery system design, decision support, clinical information systems, self-management support, community engagement) achieved significant improvements across all indicators. Home visit coverage increased from 75% to 100%, satisfaction from 80% to 100%, and complications decreased from 70% to 40%. Timely referrals, screening, and standardized assessments all reached 100% (versus 65%, 65%, and 75% baseline). New complication prevention improved from 50% to 80%. Qualitative findings revealed enhanced caregiver confidence, reduced burden, and strengthened intersectoral coordination.

Conclusion: The integrated care model effectively improved care quality for bedridden elderly in rural Thailand. Healthcare systems should adopt community-based models that leverage social structures and empower caregivers through systematic training. Policymakers should institutionalize care coordination mechanisms, allocate sustained funding, and formally recognize community caregivers as essential healthcare workforce members

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Author Biographies

  • Prapaporn Muangkaew, Nakhon Sawan Rajabhat University, Thailand

    PRAPAPORN MUANGKAEW, RN, M.Sc., Dr.PH is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Nursing, Nakhon Sawan Rajabhat University, Thailand. She earned her Doctor of Public Health degree with a focus on community health nursing and health promotion. Her research interests encompass community-based care for older adults, long-term care systems, health promotion in rural communities, chronic disease management, and participatory action research. Dr. Muangkaew has over 40 years of experience in community health nursing practice, education, and research. She has published extensively on elderly care, community health nursing interventions, and health systems strengthening in both national and international peer-reviewed journals. She is actively involved in community partnerships and serves as a consultant to local health authorities on elderly care programs.

  • Worraphol Waengnork, Rajabhat Rajanagarindra University, Thailand

    WORRAPHOL WAENGNORK, B.Sc., M.Ed., Dr.PH: is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Nursing, Nakhon Sawan Rajabhat University, Thailand. She earned her Doctor of Public Health degree with a focus on community health nursing and health promotion. Her research interests encompass community-based care for older adults, long-term care systems, health promotion in rural communities, chronic disease management, and participatory action research. Dr. Muangkaew has over 40 years of experience in community health nursing practice, education, and research. She has published extensively on elderly care, community health nursing interventions, and health systems strengthening in both national and international peer-reviewed journals. She is actively involved in community partnerships and serves as a consultant to local health authorities on elderly

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Published

31.12.2025

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2025): Perfectly Imperfect Care in a Digital and Disrupted World

Section

Articles

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. This license permits anyone to copy and redistribute this material in any form or format, modify, and make derivative works of this material for any purpose, including commercial purposes, as long as they credit the author for the original work.

How to Cite

Strengthening Long-Term Care for Bedridden Elderly: A Community-Driven Integrated Care Model in Thailand. (2025). Nurse Educators and Practitioners Journal, 1(2), 38-48. https://doi.org/10.64397/nepj.v01i02.2025.a16

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