The Health Service Support Department plans to set up more than 1,000 elderly care centres as part of preparations for the nation's ageing society.
Department spokesman Pattarapon Jungsomjatepaisal said yesterday the agency is working on the project to establish the centres across the country.
The centres will be launched under a Public Health Ministry regulation which is in the drafting process under the Health Establishment Act. The draft is expected to be completed next year.
The elderly centre project is also part of the government's measures to cope with the country's ageing society in 2025.
Currently, more than 10 million Thais are at retirement age (about 14.9% of the total population), according to the department.
Dr Pattarapon said the elderly care centre development subcommittee, comprising representatives from relevant public and private sectors, will be set up.
Research on health care for old people will be conducted in order to enhance the centres to meet international standards.
Besides the elderly care centres, Dr Pattarapon said the department will also develop healthcare systems for elderly people in communities at the tambon level across the country.
The agency will encourage residents in all tambons to have a hand in promoting the physical and mental health of older people, including disabled ones, in their communities.
About 250,000 village health volunteers will undergo training in healthcare management so they will be able to provide care and assistance to the elderly.
The project will be widened to the family level where volunteers will be recruited from families with relatives who suffer from diabetes, hypertension and chronic kidney disease.
A training course on food control, medication and exercise including mental health rehabilitation will be provided to the volunteers.