Development of a Model of Non-formal Education Activities Based on Contemplative Education Approach to Enhance Well-being of the Elderly

Abstract

The purposes of this research were to 1) develop a model of non-formal education activities based on contemplative education approach to enhance well-being of the elderly; 2) study the results by using the developed model of non-formal education activities to enhance well-being of the elderly; and 3) study factors and conditions which are involved in implementation of the developed model of non-formal education activities. The activities and handbook of non-formal education activity are based on the contemplative education approach to enhance well-being of the elderly people. The activities were conducted using the elderly people whose housing was in Bangkok as the population. The samples were 42 elderly that reside in the area of Bon Gai, 20 were in the experimental group and 22 were in the controlled group. The data were analyzed by using pre-post-test process.

The major findings were as follows: 1) the activities model consisted of eight components which comprise of the following: a) contemplation b) compassion c) connection d) confronting e) continuity f) commitment and g) community; From the studies the researcher has found a new principle which was h) cheerfulness or delightful relaxation of confederate in the learning processes of activity. 2) by using the activities model the result shows the enhancement in well-being of the elderly in the experimental group. The subject means scores after experiment is higher than before the experiment at .05 level of significance; and 3) the implementation of activity model resulted in the supporting factors that were the deep-listening, opened mind and experienced facilitator of contemplation, the participation of learners, and substance of the holistic well-being of learning factors. The conditions of the success for implementation of the activities were the physical health of learners, the understanding of assessment form, and natural environment of training place.