Ageing, Social Isolation, Loneliness, Health, Social Care and Longevity: Insights from Case Studies in Thailand and India

This study aimed to examine the relationship between social isolation, loneliness, health, social care and longevity of the ageing elderly in order to find out the factors, impact and the different kinds of approaches, care or interventions to reduce the negative impact of ageing. The data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 12 participants from Thailand and 12 from India, based on convenience and purposive sampling method, consisting equally of 6 males and 6 females from each regions. Focus group interviews were also conducted with four administrators of ageing home in India and Thailand in 2018. The study found a number of factors inter related and interchangeable impacting an ageing elder that can significantly increase of being lonely or isolated. The findings provides insights of the solution or interventions to reduce social isolation, loneliness, to ensure a quality life, improving and promoting social care, social integration and enhancing ageing elders’ social relationship, health and developing social engagements in society through policy or program for interventions at the individual, social, political and policy making.