“Retirement homes,” a new lifestyle for the aging society in Thailand

       Nowadays, there are more and more elderly people around the world, and many countries are entering the phase known as an “aging society.” In Thailand, in 2022, 18.3% of the population were elderly people, an increase from 2021 by 0.5%, and the number of elderly people tends to increase every year. Part of the increase is caused by the way of life of recent generations, which has been changing for decades.  Although people are still marrying and creating families, they tend to have fewer children than families did in the past.  A "retirement home" therefore meets the needs of both Thais and foreigners who want to stay in Thailand for a long time, through the holding of a retirement visa, which can be either as a temporary resident for a long-term stay for 10 years (Long Stay O-X) or as a temporary resident for a stay of one year (Long Stay O-A). 

Thai government agencies are aware of the importance of the quality of life of the elderly. Retirement homes come in several alternative forms: 

• A nursing home has professional staff and nurses available 24 hours a day, suitable for the elderly who need special care or are unable to take care of themselves;
• An elderly home is suitable for elderly people who can take care of themselves, are healthy, and still want to socialize.
• Retirement homes also have various terms, such as daily rental, monthly rental, long-term rental, or outright purchase by the government, which has many projects. Examples of three types are described below.
• Baan Bang Khae is a retirement home that is less expensive than other places.  There are many facilities, including activities for the elderly.  There is an entrance fee of about 300,000 baht, a monthly single room fee of 1,500 baht, and a double room fee of 2,000 baht per month.
• Sawangkhaniwet is an elderly accommodation project under the supervision of the Thai Red Cross Society.  It has an environment specially designed for the elderly, with doctors and nurses present every day. The total cost is 650,000-2,000,000 baht, and there is a monthly common fee of 2,500 baht.
• Senior Complex is a comprehensive senior living center formed by the collaboration between the Treasury Department and the Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital.  The interior is divided into three zones, comprising a hospital, a rehabilitation building (a nursing home), and residential condominiums for long-term rental or purchase, with prices starting at 1.82 million baht.

Data updated on August 25, 2022
Source : จส-100