When my father’s Parkinson’s symptoms worsened back in 2018, I spent a lot of time thinking about what the future might hold. I started exploring care options, including those in Thailand, which I’d heard were excellent. Many seemed to be concentrated in the Chiang Mai area. But my father was reluctant to leave his long-time home in Germany, and we chose to honor his wishes.
Looking back, I sometimes wish I had pushed harder. While his familiar surroundings provided comfort, they weren’t ideal for his care needs. In 2019, he fell and broke his hip, leading to two difficult years of hospital visits and eventual decline. He passed away in 2021. Hindsight, as they say, is 20/20, but that experience has stayed with me. Now, I find myself in a position where I can help others navigate similar decisions and avoid some of the regrets I carry.
This is why I wanted to highlight the care options available today in Thailand. My hope is that it will help someone – whether for themselves or a loved one – make a better-informed decision than I could. To learn more, I spoke with Doris Knecht, CEO and Head of Care at VivoCare in Chiang Mai. Originally from Switzerland, Doris brings extensive experience in dementia care and has built one of the region’s most respected facilities.
During our conversation, Doris opened up about her journey, from the inspiration behind establishing a dementia care facility in Thailand to the unique blend of care philosophies that set VivoCare apart. Why Thailand? What are the benefits, the costs, and the considerations families should weigh? And what makes VivoCare stand out among other providers? Keep reading to find out why Thailand can be a great place for dementia care.
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Contents
- Doris, how did you actually come up with the idea of setting up a care facility for people with dementia in Thailand?
- How does a Thai dementia care facility differ from one in the Western world?
- How do I get my family member with dementia to Thailand?
- What costs can be expected for the care of a person with dementia?
- What is the medical care like in Thailand? Is there health insurance available?
- What happens in the event of death? Are there Christian facilities, such as churches and cemeteries?
- Aren't cultural differences and language barriers an obstacle to care?
- How are relatives informed about the state of health and mood of their family member?
- Are your guests looked after around the clock?
- What kind of activity and therapy options are available at your facility?
- Do all guests have a single room? Can this be personalized?
- Can married couples, where only one spouse is affected, be cared for together?
- What is the climate like? Isn't it too hot for older people in Thailand?
- Where can I find out more about dementia care in Thailand?
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Doris, how did you actually come up with the idea of setting up a care facility for people with dementia in Thailand?
The care situation in Switzerland, as in most other Western countries, has always made me unhappy. A person-centered approach, as we practice it, is particularly important in the care of people with dementia, but is unfortunately not possible in most Western countries for various reasons.
This care approach, developed by the well-known English geriatric psychologist Prof. Dr. Tom Kitwood, requires a sufficient number of trained staff to be able to adequately cover the basic psychological needs of a person with dementia. Contrary to expectations, cost was not the decisive factor in choosing Thailand as the location for a dementia care facility, but rather the Thai lifestyle and the caring way in which Thai people treat their elderly fellow human beings.
Of course, costs also play an important role. Due to the low cost of living and low wage levels, we can afford to employ as many qualified caregivers as we need to implement our unique care approach.
How does a Thai dementia care facility differ from one in the Western world?
The main difference is the availability of qualified staff and the typical Thai lifestyle and serenity. This is particularly important in the care of people with dementia. VivoCare also has a significantly higher caregiver/guest ratio of 2.5:1 compared to care facilities in the western world. It is obvious that this has an impact on the quality of care and nursing.
How do I get my family member with dementia to Thailand?
We offer a companion service for people with dementia. For this purpose, we send one or two staff members to the guest’s home for a short period of time so that the guest and caregiver can get used to each other and the trip afterwards can go smoothly. This service is free of charge, the only requirement is that the travel costs are covered. We also take care of all administrative matters, such as visas, domicile registration in Thailand, etc.
What costs can be expected for the care of a person with dementia?
Basically, we work with a very simple and transparent pricing model. For around USD 2,650 per month, we offer an all-inclusive care model, which can only trigger a small surcharge in the case of very intensive care requirements.
However, medical services from third parties, medication and hygiene materials are not included. Our all-inclusive prices include rich and varied Western or Asian meals, depending on the guest’s preference. Everything is freshly cooked and only food of high quality and purity is used. Whenever possible we use organic food.
What is also special about us is that we do not require a deposit payment or contract terms. With us, guests can check out at any time and only pay for the actual duration of their stay.
What is the medical care like in Thailand? Is there health insurance available?
Medical care in Thailand is extremely good, comprehensive and affordable. Chiang Mai has a large number of renowned hospitals that cover all disciplines at very attractive conditions. Depending on the state of health, it is also possible to take health insurance. Due to the low cost of healthcare, most relatives do not buy any health insurance.
What happens in the event of death? Are there Christian facilities, such as churches and cemeteries?
Chiang Mai has a large number of churches and Christian institutions. We know of around 20 churches. It is of course possible to hold a Christian funeral ceremony. However, many family members prefer a Buddhist ceremony with cremation. A Buddhist ceremony is colorful, dignified and less sad than most Christian funeral ceremonies. For many people, Buddhism is less a religion than a philosophy of life. Therefore, for most family members, Buddhist ceremonies are the first and most appropriate choice for the final journey of their deceased family member.
Aren’t cultural differences and language barriers an obstacle to care?
Actually, the opposite is the case. The cultural environment is perfect for dementia care. Moreover, there are hardly any language barriers here. Communication between people with dementia and care staff is usually very simple. Body language and facial expressions are much more important. It’s hard to imagine anything better than Thailand. However, our carers also speak English well enough.
How are relatives informed about the state of health and mood of their family member?
That always depends on the needs of the relatives. Some want to know how their family member is doing on an almost daily basis, for others a monthly report is perfectly adequate. Either way, we regularly send photos of everyday life to family members.
Are your guests looked after around the clock?
All our guests are of course monitored and looked after around the clock. However, not always 1:1, as this is not always necessary or is not requested by the guest.
What kind of activity and therapy options are available at your facility?
We offer meaningful group and individual activities throughout the day.
Our guests are free to choose whether or not to take part. Thanks to our experience in person-centered care, we are also able to assess what additional and individual activities each guest might enjoy. In addition to specially trained occupational therapists, we also employ physiotherapists and masseuses.
Do all guests have a single room? Can this be personalized?
In principle, all guests have a single room. However, if it makes sense, 2 people can also stay in the same room. The rooms can be personalized, but we take great care to ensure that the decorations and furniture do not pose a mental burden or risk to the guest.
Can married couples, where only one spouse is affected, be cared for together?
We are very happy to do this. The spouses of some of our care guests also live here in Chiang Mai. We also integrate these spouses into our activities and help with all administrative tasks.
What is the climate like? Isn’t it too hot for older people in Thailand?
The climate in the hilly north of Thailand is pleasant all year round, with a few exceptions. Especially the extended rainy season with occasional warm showers is always very welcome, providing fresh air and greening the landscape.
Where can I find out more about dementia care in Thailand?
If you’d like to learn more about dementia care or have questions about VivoCare’s services, you can email us at [email protected] or send us a message via WhatsApp at +66 65-462-8840 or visit our website: https://vivocare.org/en_us/.
