title: Spotlight Thailand.
abstract: Thailand is a Buddhist country located on the mainland of southeast Asia, where 3-generation homes are still common. Care of older adults is primarily a family responsibility. Recent policy changes mean that all Thais are now eligible for services through the national health care system. Almost half the population has no retirement pension, leaving responsibility for support of older adults largely to extended family. Long-term care is becoming a serious concern as the population ages, women move into the workforce, and family size decreases. Thai researchers have focused on issues related to health and nutrition, income security, housing, general population aging, local and community care and services, information and education, and quality of life. There is currently no formal long-term care system.
authors.affiliation: *Address correspondence to Barbara J. Bowers, RN, School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Madison, K6/328 Clinical Science Center, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792-2455. E-mail: bjbowers@wisc.edu.
authors.forename: Siriphan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sasat
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Bowers
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D005190:Family; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010415:Pensions; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013785:Thailand
keywords: Asian and Pacific Rim older adults; Caregiving—Formal; Caregiving—Informal; Culture; Income/pension; Intergenerational relationships