Impact of HIV and AIDS on rural elderly caregivers in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand

The UN General Special Assembly on HIV/AIDS reported that Thailand's elderly are living on the edge of poverty. Those who become caregivers for the children who have been orphaned by AIDS incur even greater challenges. The 2007 Survey of Older Persons of Thailand (SOPT) concluded that there is a range of financial and social safety nets provided by the government, nongovernmental (NGO), and faith-based organizations (FBOs) to help the elderly caregivers and their families. The research offered limited studies on Thailand's elderly caring for these children. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the social, religious and familial experiences of this population. In-depth interviews were conducted with 14 elderly caregivers participating in the Grandma Cares Program (GCP) located in the province of Chiang Mai. They were asked about their caregiving experiences, cultural and Buddhist beliefs, and programs that help them. Data were verified through member checking with a translator. The details of the caregivers' experiences and environments were transcribed and analyzed with Creswell's 6-step process to identify textural and structural themes and patterns. Results of this study indicated that caregivers gained comfort and strength from Buddha's teachings and cultural beliefs, but they would like more support.