Unlike in the western countries where there are many options for dedicated elder care facilities, in Thailand, there are fewer facilities available. This is understandable since, in Thailandese culture, the elders typically remain in the care of family members.
Setting aside care facilities as an option, if you have an elderly loved one staying with you, you may opt for elder care services. There are trained care providers in Thailand who offer in-home care services and they can assist with the day-to-day needs of seniors.
Different Types of Elder Care Services
Depending on the specific needs and health conditions of the senior family member, the two major types of care services available are:
- Skilled care services – These services can only be performed or provided by licensed or skilled medical personnel. These services may include physical therapy and the use of certain medical equipment.
- Custodial care services – These are non-medical services, and the aim is to provide assistance to the seniors in their daily activities and personal care such as bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, and so on. Custodial care is typically provided by family members. However, when everyone is out of the house because of school or work, a custodial service professional can take over.
We can all agree that ensuring the best possible care for our senior loved ones is not always easy. You need to take into account their health, specific needs and preferences. Having an experienced senior caregiver can somewhat give you peace of mind knowing that someone is there to help you.
Choosing the Best Elder Care
When it comes to choosing senior care, there are different factors that you need to consider:
1. Health condition of your senior loved one
The overall health condition of the senior should be your top consideration when choosing a care provider. If the senior has a medical condition but you choose in-home care, depending on the condition, you may consider hiring a private nurse or a skilled medical professional who can look after your loved one.
Hiring a private nurse can be an expensive option so it is only ideal if the health condition requires close monitoring and attention.
Moreover, some seniors with conditions like Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis or physical disability are bedridden, or someone who just underwent surgery or other major medical procedure may benefit from having a specialized but non-medical caregiver.
These conditions do not always need a licensed medical personnel but someone who is experienced and trained in assisting people with similar conditions.
Moreover, for seniors who only need assistance with their daily personal care and activities, there are also senior caregivers who are fit for the job. They can keep your senior loved one company, help them go to the grocery or their appointments, and help them with just about anything around the house when no other family members are around.
It’s important to choose a care provider that matches the health condition of your loved one so that you can ensure quality care.
2. Personal preferences
Of course, the personal preferences of the senior also matter. If your loved one is in a situation where he can still make sound decisions, involve him or her in the selection process.
Hiring a senior caregiver can be a major decision for the family especially if it is your first time doing it. Some seniors are also not comfortable with the idea especially if they are still fully able to move around the house. It’s a good idea to have a discussion over this decision before hiring a caregiver.
3. Budget
How much are you willing to pay for a senior caregiver? For seniors who just need custodial care, the monthly salary of a senior caregiver can range between 17000.00 THB and 25000.00 THB per month. If you are hiring skilled medical personnel, you can expect to pay higher.
The average rate applies to those who work full-time. In Thailand, you could also hire part-time senior caregivers and they usually charge per hour.
Hiring a Senior Caregiver
In big cities such as Bangkok, there are many people who offer elder care services, either independently or under a company. And there are pros and cons on choosing one over the other.
For a hassle-free hiring experience, the best way to go is to hire someone from an established service provider. When you hire an independent contractor, you will take care of all the paperwork, background checks and training among others.
You don’t have to worry about these things if you hire from a company or a service provider. Moreover, you can also easily choose professionals based on your needs, preferences and budget.
To get an idea of the available services that a senior caregiver can offer as well as their monthly salary, check kiidu.com Through the website, you can easily search for senior caregivers based on skills, salary, availability, language and more.
Once you have filtered the candidates you are interested in, you can then schedule an interview with your chosen candidate and from there, the company will assist you from start to finish in the hiring process.
Summary
Our senior members are an important part of the family and they deserve quality care. And when it comes to quality care within your home, there are many options available. Deciding to hire a caregiver in itself is already a difficult decision, and choosing the right candidate just adds to it.
To ensure that you can get the best available senior care for your loved one, consider the factors we listed above. Also, you may consider hiring from a service provider rather than hiring an independent contractor for peace of mind.
