A review of the long-term care policies under COVID-19 in Thailand’s aging society: implications for ASEAN countries
13
Issued Date
2022-05-10
Resource Type
ISSN
17272645
eISSN
2517679X
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85127520813
Journal Title
Public Administration and Policy
Volume
25
Issue
1
Start Page
37
End Page
49
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Public Administration and Policy Vol.25 No.1 (2022) , 37-49
Suggested Citation
Tejativaddhana P., Chuakhamfoo N.N., Hue Vo M.T. A review of the long-term care policies under COVID-19 in Thailand’s aging society: implications for ASEAN countries. Public Administration and Policy Vol.25 No.1 (2022) , 37-49. 49. doi:10.1108/PAP-02-2022-0013 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/86989
Title
A review of the long-term care policies under COVID-19 in Thailand’s aging society: implications for ASEAN countries
Author(s)
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Purpose: This paper aims to explore the aging society situation, long-term care (LTC) policy preparation, COVID-19’s impact on older people, and post-pandemic preparations in Thailand and the implications for The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. Design/methodology/approach: Online databases from international, national, academic agencies and SCOPUS database from January 2019 to July 2021 were utilized for analysis. Relevant literature and data were selected for review. Findings: The evidence suggests that the proportion of the aging population is increasing due to declined fertility and rising life expectancy. Current and future demand for effective healthcare in ASEAN will be better achieved with policies like the Universal Health Coverage and Primary Health Care system. While some countries, specifically Thailand, are developing and expanding their LTC policies, some concerns regarding the active aging policy remain. Most ASEAN countries are using public domain for LTC policies. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has posed a major challenge in implementing LTC and affected the vulnerable aging population in many aspects, including social protection issues in Thailand. Originality/value: With the support from international organizations, ASEAN countries have framed several policy strategies in response to the increasing aging population, such as providing more LTC in the community. The unexpected challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic compel policymakers to consider resource allocations and community-based services. On the positive side, as the pandemic has made the vulnerable group exposed, social protection issues have been brought to the forefront of the political debate and called for an appropriate policy response.