BANGKOK, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's demographic makeup has been shifting in recent years owing to a growing number of elderly people and an overall aging society.
The trend presents many challenges for Thailand as the public healthcare system is already overburdened, and private healthcare options can be unaffordable for many. More attention, therefore, is needed from the Thai government and society as a whole.
As older people likely have chronic health conditions and require ongoing medical care, Panadda Leeyang, founder of a social media fitness page, noticed a new business opportunity to offer personal training for the elderly.
Personal training has long been popular mainly among young, middle-aged groups in Thailand, and few people would have thought this could also apply to elderly groups.
Most of Panadda's clients were young girls and pregnant women who would feel more confident and comfortable with a female trainer. But one day, Panadda realized that her mom had started to suffer from a chronic disease, and that was when she decided to do something for the elderly group.
"I started to ask my mom to exercise, and then I noticed that the number of elderly people in Thailand is increasing rapidly. Many of them are not paying special attention to health or exercise, so I created this page dedicated to the elderly," said Panadda in an interview with Xinhua.
As a professional trainer with certain expertise in physical education and theory who graduated with a degree in physical education from a university, Panadda understands that training the elderly is a completely different thing from teaching young people.
"I would never recommend them to use heavy-duty strength equipment. Instead, we mainly use tools that are more common and suitable for seniors, such as chairs at home," she said.
Panadda would go to the clients' homes and help them establish a healthy exercise routine that is easy to keep at home, as most of the senior citizens turn to exercise to alleviate body pain or health issues and require constant health checks and evaluations.
"I always stay focused on the physical health indicators of my elderly clients. So, we know what the main problems are, joint problems, shoulder, neck pains, and so on," Panadda explained.
Plernpit Urarungrot, a 64-year-old woman who has suffered from chronic diseases, trains twice a week, during which Panadda closely monitors and corrects her form. Panadda has designed exercises specifically tailored to Plernpit's needs.
"As a result, I have seen significant improvement in my balance and a reduction in my body pain. Although I am not yet fully recovered," said Plernpit.
According to a study released by the Foundation of Thai Gerontology Research and Development Institute, as of 2021, Thailand has an estimated 12.5 million people over 60, accounting for nearly 20 percent of the total population.
A population studies report from Chulalongkorn University predicted that the number will reach 20 million by 2035, making Thailand one of the fastest-aging societies in Southeast Asia.
The pandemic made it difficult for Panadda to meet her clients, but she can now conduct face-to-face training sessions again.
She believes improving the elderly's health is essential to their quality of life.
"I think there are more coaches and trainers for the elderly group now. There will be more and more professionals in this area in the future because the number of elderly people is increasing," Panadda said.
"And it would be great if we could make this group healthier; then it would make society stronger," she added. ■
