For family and friends
You are the one making this decision
Helping a friend or relative find the right care facility is a daunting and often emotional task even in your own country. Planning for them to stay in another country adds a layer on top of that. This page is the things worth thinking through, said plainly.
Said first, because nobody else says it
It is a decision often tinged with guilt, whatever care and consideration has been taken.The resort's own words to families
Usually the right choice is the one taken to give the person every chance of health, enjoyment and happiness, wherever that turns out to be. This resort will not be the right answer for everyone. We think it is a caring solution: a beautiful, tranquil and safe place for people to enjoy their later years, with nursing and care support behind it. But you are entitled to decide that somewhere else suits your family better, and we would rather you did that than come here uncertain.
Affordable quality of care
Cheaper than home, and that is not the main point
Care here is more affordable than in most developed countries. More to the point, we offer a level of comfort, freedom and care that is hard to match in any care facility, let alone at these fees.
Compare the nursing staff to resident ratios with those in the West and you may be surprised. Care works, but only if there are enough people to give it, and staff numbers here are set by the care needed rather than by a budget.
For context on where to start: comparable residential care in the UK, United States and Australia commonly runs from around USD 8,000 to 15,000 a month. Fees here are quoted individually because they depend on the level of care assessed and the villa chosen.
"Dad owns a nice home in the UK... if he went into a UK care home then basically the cost of it would eat through the price of the house." James (name changed), considering care for his father · The Telegraph
Distance
Staying in touch, and visiting properly
If you are staying in your own country there may be a considerable distance between you and your relative. We encourage residents to talk face to face with family regularly by video call. If someone is not familiar with computers we guide them through it until they are.
When you do visit, we can provide similar accommodation for you and even for your family, on site. Chiang Mai and Thailand have a great deal to offer a visitor, so you should be able to spend real time with your relative and have something of a holiday at the same time.
An option people forget
You can stay long-term as well
Even in good health, you may want to stay long-term with your partner, relative or friend. We encourage it. As well as adding to the resident's wellbeing, it can be a good arrangement for you: Chiang Mai has a strong expatriate community and a great deal to do.
Couples and friends stay together regularly here, including when only one of them needs care. The range of villa types means there is normally a suitable arrangement.
Worth thinking through
Visas, medical insurance and weather
Visas. Thailand requires visas for non-Thai nationals. The Thai retirement visa and the banking process behind it can be daunting, and it requires the applicant to hold a level of financial support. We assist with all visa and banking requirements so the resident and their family do not have to navigate it. Once the visa is obtained in Thailand there is no requirement to leave the country on a timed basis, but it does require annual renewal.
Medical insurance. Medical support in Chiang Mai is excellent and cost-effective, but insurance is still worth thinking about. Thai medical insurance reflects the much lower cost of treatment here, and it needs researching and comparing against costs at home. It may be preferable to pay for medical care as it arises, which is a very common solution in Thailand. These are decisions to make and budget for, and we can provide quotations for Thai medical insurance.
Weather. Thailand has no real cold weather, though Chiang Mai has a short winter with refreshing cooler temperatures from November through January. It gets quite hot in peak summer, and every villa is air-conditioned. For people who suffer badly in cold winters, the climate is often part of the appeal.
What we ask of you
Tell us who they were before they needed us
The more we know about a resident, the better the relationship we can build and the more we can do for their quality of life. We want to know their life story, their hobbies, what they like.
We also want to talk with the family, both to learn more about the person and to understand what the family wants and worries about. Bring the concerns, including the ones that feel awkward. We would rather answer them directly than have you wondering.
Familiar objects help. Photographs, paintings and souvenirs keep a link to past home life and family, and we actively encourage rooms to be filled with them.
Common questions
What families ask before deciding
If the one you need is not here, ask us directly. We would rather answer it properly than have you guess.
How do we stay in touch from another country?
Video calls, regularly. If your relative is not comfortable with computers we teach them until they are.
Can we stay when we visit?
Yes. There is accommodation on site for visiting family, and people travelling from abroad often build a holiday around the visit.
Do you help with the retirement visa?
Yes. We assist with all visa and banking requirements. The visa needs annual renewal, but once granted there is no requirement to leave the country periodically.
What about medical insurance?
We can provide quotations for Thai medical insurance. Many people here simply pay for treatment as it arises, which is common practice and often cheaper than insuring.
What if we choose somewhere else?
Then you choose somewhere else. This will not be right for everyone, and a decision made carefully is the right decision even when it is not us.
What does it cost?
Quoted individually, depending on the level of care assessed and the villa chosen. Tell us what your relative needs and we will give you a real figure.
Talk to us
Bring the questions you have not wanted to ask anyone
We encourage you to discuss your needs and any concerns about the care for your relative. We will try to answer anything you want to ask us directly.