Making A Decision
Carewell Service Care Home wants to help you in this important and difficult process. Following is our Making a Decision methodology to come to the best solution for yourself or your loved ones.
1. When is it time?
But when is the time to reach out for external help?
Diagnosis of "Dementia" — what now?
Aging changes the physical and intellectual abilities of each person. Starting in our mid-40s our memory functions begin to decrease steadily. Information cannot be processed as quickly. Our ability to learn decreases, albeit a gradual process. Early signs of dementia are these:
- Forgetting things
- Problems with language; cannot articulate
- Difficulties in orientating oneself
- Inappropriate behavior
- Difficulty with routine tasks
- Lack of drive
Such early warning signs do not automatically mean that the person is suffering from dementia. Other external factors and conditions, such as stress, fatigue, poor diet, hormonal disorders, infections and bleeding in the brain can also trigger these symptoms. If you are affected by any of the above symptoms, it is recommended that you have you symptoms diagnosed, to put your mind at ease.
Family care or nursing home? Especially for those closely involved with people suffering from dementia this is a very serious question. Dementia seriously increases the emotional and physical burden on family members who have assumed the care role. It is probable that the move to a nursing home, at some point, will be unavoidable—especially as around the clock care will be required by most dementia patients.
Home care, even with additional professional support services, will eventually become inadequate.
A family member’s decision for nursing home care is often very difficult and can lead to feelings of guilt. Not infrequently family members are criticised by other family members or neighbours and friends. Such criticism often comes from people who are not involved in the care of a dementia patient. In many cases, a good nursing home is the best solution for everyone involved.
“ I Would NEVER Put You in a Nursing Home! ”
What if you promised your father or mother that they would never be placed in a nursing home. At the time, you may not have foreseen that mother or father would develop dementia. If you stick to your promise then be absolutely sure that you can cope with the ever-present physical and mental stamina required. If you cannot cope, everybody will suffer in the end—the person with dementia and your own health.
The following questions may help you make a decision as to when it is time for a nursing home:
- Do you give care and support to your loved one day and night; because they cannot care for themselves?
- Are you frequently angry with your loved one and feel as if you could harm him or her?
- Your loved one shows aggression towards you with words and deeds?
- If you leave your loved one at home alone do you fear what may happen?
- Is your loved one incontinent and can no longer use the lavatory at home?
- Your loved one calls you repeatedly without reason and/or screams incessantly?
- Do you feel overwhelmed with the care required and no longer know how to proceed for the best?
Do Not Wait Until an Emergency Arises
If you answer yes to the above questions then take action early to find a suitable care home for your loved one. Do not wait until an emergency arises and everything must be done and organised within hours. Very good care beds are mainly occupied and rarely offer a short-term stay.
It is generally recommended to look at different homes before an informed decision can be made. It is crucial to determine how much care time is needed by the patient and to assess as to whether the staff can respond accordingly. Often atrocious conditions exist in a non-qualified home with poor management and low levels of nursing staff who are unable to cope with demands.
While you have time, look into available options and compare the various offerings available. Decide now before the suffering is too great for everyone.
2. Compare the Care
Selecting a care home for yourself or a loved one is a very important and difficult decision. After all, you want the best possible care you can get and afford. Carewell offers incomparable care service and quality at much lower costs than in Europe or the USA.
We have the following core competencies and services:
- Medically-Trained Owner/Operator
- Experienced in Geriatric Psychology
- Can Prescribe & Administer Scripts
- 24-hour Nursing Care: 3 Nurses / Resident / Day
- Nurses have 4-year degree; Western Hospital Experience
- Physical Therapy Team
- Certified Massage Therapists
- Animal-Assisted Therapy
- Healthy and balanced Nutrition from own restaurant
- Regular Activities and Excursions
- Medical and Dental Services through partnerships with western-standard hospitals and dentists
In order for you to compare Baan Tschuai Duu Lää with other care facilities, we have created a document which will help you record services and capabilities and compare facilities very easy.
As we have pointed out earlier, the cost of care at CAREWELL SERVICE depends on the tailored level of care required by the guest. A physical rehabilitation guest will have different care requirements than a guest in the later stages of Alzheimer’s Disease. If you (or your loved one) wishes to stay with CAREWELL SERVICE, we recommend completing the non-binding registration form which includes a medical survey. After receiving the registration and further consultation with you and your physician, we will be able to assess the costs.
Following are typical cost assessments for Dementia and Alzheimer’s patients in the various development stages of of the diseases.
- $60,000 per year: the average cost of providing care for someone with Alzheimer's is nearly a year.
- $82,000 per year: a private room in a nursing home costs more than
- $82,000 on average.
- $55,000 per year: cost for an assisted living community for a resident with dementia.
- $21 an hour: Is the average rate for unskilled home-care assistance.
- Medicare generally won't pick up the tab for the type of unskilled care most Alzheimer's patients need, like bathing, dressing and administering medications.
Care costs in Thailand: - CAREWELL SERVICE
A direct cost comparison between the USA and the costs at CAREWELL SERVICE will always be flawed due to the discrepancies between the typical care services provided in care facility in the USA and the scope of care provided at CAREWELL SERVICE. For your convenience we still try to present a rough cost estimate to be used for comparison. The following example is an overview includes and combines the facility and and nursing costs with CAREWELL SERVICE here in Thailand. We used our Nursing Package A as a cost baseline for the comparison. We assumed the resident to be suffering from Alzheimer's, so these are the two variants reasonably compare.
Cost example
Care costs at CAREWELL SERVICE (in USD for 30 days)
Private room incl. care and nursing (24 h) |
from USD 3’200 |
Incontinence material | Upon need |
Prescribed medicaments | Separate billing |
Excursions if desired | Separate billing |
Total monthly costs | from USD 3’200* |
* This cost example for CAREWELL SERVICE is based on care level A which includes 24/7 care.
Important notice: This cost comparison is not made in order for you to make a decision in favour of care in Thailand. During discussions about health care and its costs, it is often forgotten that we are talking about people who are dependent on care and support. If you are considering care in Thailand for yourself or a family member, the reduced costs should only be a supporting factor for a decision. The more important factor is the increased care and supervision time you are „buying“. At CAREWELL SERVICE the standards of accommodation and care are first class.
As we have pointed out earlier, the cost of care at CAREWELL SERVICE depends on the tailored level of care required by the guest. A physical rehabilitation guest will have different care requirements than a guest in the later stages of Alzheimer’s Disease. If you (or your loved one) wishes to stay with CAREWELL SERVICE, we recommend completing the non-binding registration form which includes a medical survey. After receiving the registration and further consultation with you and your physician, we will be able to assess the costs.
Following are typical cost assessments for Dementia and Alzheimer’s patients in the various development stages of of the diseases.
- £34,346 per year: average residential care cost
- £11,689 per year: average care costs for care at home (not taking into consideration trained help that might have to be hired to provide 24/7 care)
- £72,000 per year: annual cap which the afflicted or their family might have to pay before receiving government support.
Care costs in Thailand: - CAREWELL SERVICE
A direct cost comparison between the United Kingdom and the costs at CAREWELL SERVICE will always be flawed due to the discrepancies between the typical care services provided in care facility in the United Kingdom and the scope of care provided at CAREWELL SERVICE. For your convenience we still try to present a rough cost estimate to be used for comparison. The following example is an overview includes and combines the facility and and nursing costs with CAREWELL SERVICE here in Thailand. We used our Nursing Package A as a cost baseline for the comparison. We assumed the resident to be suffering from Alzheimer's, so these are the two variants reasonably compare.
Cost example
Care costs at CAREWELL SERVICE (in £ for 30 days)
Private room incl. care and nursing (24 h) |
from 2'400.00 |
Incontinence material | Upon need |
Prescribed medicaments | Separate billing |
Excursions if desired | Separate billing |
Total monthly costs | £ 2’400.00* |
* This cost example for CAREWELL SERVICE is based on care level A which includes 24/7 care.
Important notice: This cost comparison is not made in order for you to make a decision in favour of care in Thailand. During discussions about health care and its costs, it is often forgotten that we are talking about people who are dependent on care and support. If you are considering care in Thailand for yourself or a family member, the reduced costs should only be a supporting factor for a decision. The more important factor is the increased care and supervision time you are „buying“. At CAREWELL SERVICE the standards of accommodation and care are first class.
3. Have any Questions?
Are short-term stays or holidays at CAREWELL possible?
Yes. We can provide accommodation for short-term stays and holidays. If you are planning a family vacation in Phuket, you can bring an infirmed family member and let us take care of them at CAREWELL. It is recommended holidays be scheduled for at least three weeks since the period of adaptation to the local climatic conditions takes a bit longer in older people.
Do you offer a “trial” stay for assessment?
Yes. Basically this is always possible and sometimes even useful. We recommend a minimum stay of 3 months. This gives our guests the opportunity to settle in and adapt to the climatic conditions. This also give us the opportunity to get to know each other and to understand the individual needs and preferences of you or your loved one.
What kind of VISA do I need for Thailand?
Holiday | Tourist visa: allows a 30-day stay. This visa is issued directly upon arrival in Thailand. O-visas usually have a validity of 6 to 12 months.
Stays longer than 30 days: Prior to travel, you must apply for an O-visa at a Thai embassy in your home country.
The O-visa applicant must:
- Be at least 50 years of age
- Prove that s/he either has the equivalent of at least THB 800,000 in cash or receives a monthly pension of at least THB 60,000 / month.
The rules for application may vary by country. We recommend you contact the Thai Embassy or Consulate in your country that is nearest to you, for details on your country’s requirements..
Extensions beyond visa validity: Once you are here, should you wish to stay longer than your O-visa allows, Baan Tschuai Duu Lää will be happy to assist you and/or your loved one in this process.
Helpful links:
United States Embassy @ Bangkok, Thailand: Visas for American Citizens
Visas for British Citizens
Visas for Canadian Citizens
Do I need health insurance for Thailand?
Prior to travel, it is essential to clarify what coverage will be provided by your selected insurance company for a long stay in Thailand.
The benefits of public and private health insurance vary from country to country. It is essential to understand that there are different insurance policies with different insurance types—but most limit their scope of services and coverage to the country of residence.
However, many insurance companies do offer various levels of travel insurance. These policies can offer a wide range of coverage periods from 30 days to 5 years.
Can I get health insurance from Thailand?
Yes. You can apply for health insurance through a Thai insurance company. The procedure is similar to an application for a western-based insurance company.
In general, it is sufficient to complete a health questionnaire, and in some cases, a preliminary investigation may be required.
Like in western countries, Thai insurance companies offer various insurance benefits, such as choice of hospital, private accommodations (single room), etc. The insurance costs are usually approximately 60% of the cost of a comparable insurance in western countries. Unfortunately, some insurance companies have a maximum age limit for their health insurance and do not accept those applications.
We are happy to advise you in this regard. Please contact us via Skype, email or telephone or you can use our contact form.
4. Get to know us.
The final step for staying with CAREWELL: complete the registration form and the medical survey; either as a PDF or directly in the browser.
Assignment to the appropriate care concept and the assessment of the level of care needed will require the resident or a relative to provide personal and medical information to Baan Tschuai Duu Lää. We will take into account the individual circumstances and possibilities of our guests and define an individually tailored care package. For this reason, no general prediction can be made regarding the cost of care. Another crucial factor is whether the stay will be a holiday or a long stay. Also relevant is whether 24-hour care is needed and/or desired. What can be said is is that the monthly cost of a high quality care residence in Baan Tschuai Duu Lää is up to fifty per cent less than in Europe. This does not take into account the fact that personal around-the-cock care is not offered in Europe.
Upon request we can send you more detailed information together with a registration form. Please be advised that prior to final the approval for a nursing or care space with Baan Tschuai Duu Lää, we do need a fully and correctly completed application form with a medical questionnaire. Written application is required (email is accepted). The admission in CAREWELL is finalized after signing the contract. Submitting the application of medical and contact information is voluntary and is not binding.
We understand that sending a loved one or yourself overseas may be bring about some apprehension. Sending a loved one or yourself overseas for medical or nursing home care can be even more uncertain, especially if you are not familiar with the country, its infrastructure or care system.
You may have questions regarding the process of migrating your loved one or yourself. Or perhaps, you just want to talk to us just to get to know us. There are a variety of reasons you may wish to contact us. If you have questions, a worry or an uncertainty, it is important to us that we can bring you clarity or that we can set your mind at ease. We encourage you to talk to us. Give us a call or send us an email. We are always happy to talk with you.
Get in touch with us
Address : Carewell-Service Co., Ltd, Sino Rawai,
25/101 Moo 1, Soi Sowsod, T. Rawai, A. Muang, Phuket 83130, Thailand
Phone : +66 (0)8 2717 9275
Email :