Abstract
This study evaluates informal care for disabled stroke survivors in Thailand. It applies the proxy
good method to determine monetary value of the care. Market prices of labor similar to informal care
activities were used in the cost calculation. Data were collected by means of interviews conducted during
2006. The sample consisted of 101 disabled persons who had suffered a stroke at least six months prior to
the interview, and had a functional status score of less than 95 as measured by the Barthel Index. Average
monthly time spent on informal care was 94.6 hours. Time spent for household activities of daily living
(HDL), health care activities (HCA), activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily
living (IADL) was 29, 24, 38 and 3 hours/month, respectively. The average monthly monetary value of
informal care was US$136 (at 2010 prices). Variations of the market price of labor caused changes in the
cost of approximately 50% (both increase and decrease). Severity of disability and urban area had significant
effects on the cost. The informal care value was less than that found using the opportunity cost
method of calculation. It was much more than the current welfare payment for disabled people (500 Thai
baht, or approximately US$16 per month). The findings should be considered as inputs for revision of
welfare payment for people with disabilities, particularly those who are also elderly.
