The Samed Elderly School Project 2026 is an academic collaboration under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) led by the Faculty of Medicine, Burapha University, through Burapha University Hospital, in partnership with the Faculty of Music and Performing Arts and the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Design, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok. Implemented in Samed Municipality, Chonburi, from 11 February to 11 March 2026, the project aims to enhance the capacity of elderly individuals and caregivers in the local community through an integrated, multidisciplinary approach. It focuses on promoting both physical and mental well-being while preparing participants for safe and independent living through engaging, practical, and applicable activities.
Throughout the project, interdisciplinary teams conducted a series of hands-on and participatory activities. The first session emphasized preventive healthcare, including stroke awareness, proper physical exercise, safe use of digital technology, cognitive stimulation to delay cognitive decline, and oral health care. The second session focused on holistic well-being through activities such as herbal bingo for cognitive training, laughter therapy for mental health, traditional Thai stretching exercises using pha khao ma guided by Thai traditional medicine practitioners, and experiential learning about local herbs through smelling, tasting, and compress techniques, including the creation of herbal sachets and cooling herbal drinks. This session also included a lecture on home safety for the elderly by an architectural expert and emergency preparedness training delivered by experienced nurses, covering personal emergency information cards, recognition of critical conditions such as stroke and heart disease, basic first aid for choking and unconsciousness, and accessing emergency services via the 1669 hotline. The third session, titled “Volunteer Medical School,” focused on safe medication use through interactive activities such as the “Medicine Label Detective” game, alongside workshops on self-monitoring blood pressure, proper medication organization, and essential vaccinations for the elderly. The program concluded with a therapeutic arts activity in the form of “Ballet for the Elderly,” creating a joyful and memorable atmosphere filled with laughter, creativity, and emotional well-being.
This project reflects the power of community engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration in enhancing the quality of life for the elderly. It not only equips participants with essential knowledge and practical skills for self-care but also fosters confidence, social participation, and happiness in daily life. Guided by the concept that “good health begins with accurate knowledge,” the initiative promotes holistic well-being, enabling elderly individuals to “eat well, move well, and live happily” in a sustainable manner.
Moreover, the project serves as a concrete model for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level. It contributes to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being by promoting preventive healthcare and first aid knowledge to reduce risks and improve survival in emergencies; SDG 4: Quality Education by supporting lifelong learning and reducing the digital divide among the elderly; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities by ensuring equitable access to university-level knowledge and reducing social isolation; SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by promoting safe living environments and strengthening elderly community networks in preparation for a super-aged society; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by demonstrating an effective interdisciplinary collaboration model between universities and local government in mobilizing knowledge and resources for sustainable community development.
Although the project has concluded, the knowledge, smiles, and meaningful experiences gained will continue to inspire and empower the elderly and the wider community. As reflected in the spirit of the initiative, “the smiles of the elderly are the strength of the community,” representing an important step toward building a high-quality aging society for the future.
Activities Dates: 11 February 2026 – 11 March 2026
Project Leader: Asst. Prof. Dr. Aomsub Pikulnee
