Abstract
Thailand’s Aged Care in Private Sector Thailand’s increasing number of elderly population and their longer lives are causing higher needs of aged care. While public facilities to support such needs are minimal, both business-liked facilities and non-profit organizations are increasing in number to meet unmet needs / demand. The private aged care in Thailand was studied two major aspects which were types of care given and their service management. Types of private facilities were categorized into 6 groups and sampled for data collection. Interviewing personnel involved in aged care such as administrators, physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, other health personnel and officials in addition to their customers (patients) were made. The 6 groups were profit-liked hospitals, non-profit hospitals, well fare organizations (partly charging fees or no fees), accommodations for the aged, nursing homes and aged care teaching schools The study found 95% of those paying fees for aged care were satisfied with the care provision whereas those being given free care commented that if only food and health care were sufficient their satisfaction would be achieved. The elderly who lived with their families and needed aged care tended to hire the certified care givers who had attended short course training from registered schools. A number of schools wishing to provide training programs were increasing based on evidence of growing number of schools or facilities being in the process of registration. The study recommended:public clear policy guideline for aged care provision in terms of care and its provision system be developed and carried out by the government, more elderly be insured for aged care,health personnel be administrators for care provision,gerontology be supported to boost people’s interest for being care givers in order to meet rirsing demand,public health personnel be sent to help non-profit facilities to do medical checking and provide medical care for the aged patients,information on aged care be widely distributed to help out the needed for seeking care quality and just fees.
