“Young Care”: A Community-Based Intervention to Transform Youth Mindsets on Elder Care in Thailand—Program Development and Outcome Evaluation

Ranee Wongkongdech, Darunee Puangpronpitag, Tharinee Srisaknok, Kukiat Tudpor, Niruwan Turnbull, Souksathaphone Chanthamath and Adisorn Wongkongdech ()
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Ranee Wongkongdech: Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University, Mueang Maha Sarakham 44150, Maha Sarakham, Thailand
Darunee Puangpronpitag: Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University, Mueang Maha Sarakham 44150, Maha Sarakham, Thailand
Tharinee Srisaknok: International and National Collaborative Network and Innovation for Community Health Development Research Unit (INCNI-CHD), Mahasarakham University, Mueang Maha Sarakham 44150, Maha Sarakham, Thailand
Kukiat Tudpor: Faculty of Public Health, Mahasarakham University, Mueang Maha Sarakham 44150, Maha Sarakham, Thailand
Niruwan Turnbull: Faculty of Public Health, Mahasarakham University, Mueang Maha Sarakham 44150, Maha Sarakham, Thailand
Souksathaphone Chanthamath: International and National Collaborative Network and Innovation for Community Health Development Research Unit (INCNI-CHD), Mahasarakham University, Mueang Maha Sarakham 44150, Maha Sarakham, Thailand
Adisorn Wongkongdech: Faculty of Public Health, Mahasarakham University, Mueang Maha Sarakham 44150, Maha Sarakham, Thailand

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 8, 1-10

Abstract: Background: Thailand is rapidly transitioning into an aging society, creating an intergenerational caregiving gap that strains existing support systems. Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of “Young Care,” a community-based intervention designed to enhance youth knowledge, attitudes, and caregiving practices (KAP) toward older adults. Methods: A two-day structured training was conducted in Maha Sarakham Province in 2023 using a pre-post mixed-methods design. Middle and high school students participated in lectures, multimedia sessions, and experiential learning activities related to caregiving. Quantitative data were collected using validated KAP questionnaires, while qualitative insights were obtained from focus group discussions involving students, older persons, caregivers, and local leaders. Results: Post-intervention analysis revealed significant improvements in knowledge and attitudes ( p < 0.001), accompanied by increased empathy, caregiving initiative, and a sense of moral responsibility among participants. Conclusions: The initiative fostered formal partnerships among schools, local governments, healthcare providers, and universities through memoranda of understanding. These collaborations enabled budgetary support and outreach to out-of-school youth, positioning “Young Care” as a scalable, youth-centered strategy to address Thailand’s long-term care challenges.

Keywords: youth caregiving; elder care; aging society; Thailand; community-based intervention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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