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cover of episode Why are Westerners moving to Thai care homes?

Why are Westerners moving to Thai care homes?

2025/6/19
logo of podcast Business Daily

Business Daily

AI Deep Dive AI Chapters Transcript
People
A
Arun Paslo
D
Dr. Caleb Johnston
G
Gary
无足够信息创建详细个人资料。
G
Gideon Long
L
Liz
联合主持人和内容创作者,专注于娱乐业和个人幸福的播客《Happier in Hollywood》。
L
Lynn Stewart
O
Occupational therapist
P
Peter Millard
R
Roger Holzer
W
Wasana Sitirin
Topics
Gideon Long: 越来越多的西方老年人选择移居泰国养老,主要原因是他们对本国昂贵且质量不佳的养老体系感到不满。泰国的佛教文化和对老年人的尊重也吸引了他们。然而,这种趋势也引发了一些问题,例如私人医疗机构是否会消耗公共资源,以及对当地医疗体系的影响。 此外,随着人口老龄化,对养老院的需求只会增加,泰国的模式是否具有可持续性,以及是否可以在其他地方推广,这些都是值得思考的问题。 Lynn Stewart: 我因为厌倦了糟糕的天气,所以选择来到泰国寻找阳光、蝴蝶和鲜花。在这里生活五年后,我发现泰国的生活比美国更合理,而且充满活力。我在这里可以找到我需要的一切,也不再想回到美国。 Liz: 当我第一次来到这里时,就觉得这里是天堂,想在这里度过余生。在泰国,我的护理费用仅为英国的四分之一,而且包括了所有的生活费用。泰国的护理人员非常友善和细心,这让我感到非常满意。 Peter Millard: 泰国的佛教文化非常平和,人们很少生气,而且对老年人非常友善和温柔。这种环境对我的身心健康非常有益。 Arun Paslo: 如果年满50岁,就可以在泰国开设银行账户并获得退休签证,而且可以无限期续签。泰国非常欢迎外国人来这里退休,在这里可以过上非常好的生活。 Gary: 我的母亲患有痴呆症,在泰国得到了她需要的最好的护理,这是她在英国无法获得的。这里的护理人员非常友善和细心,我对此感到非常满意。 Roger Holzer: 过去人们对将患病亲属送到国外养老持负面态度,但现在这种观念已经改变,因为许多欧洲国家已经无法为痴呆症患者提供护理。我们的护理人员都来自当地,并且持有护理证书。泰国的工资远低于其他国家,这使得泰国成为一个经济实惠的选择。我们还计划在其他国家开设护理机构,并推广我们的护理理念。 Occupational therapist: 泰国文化非常适合发展护理设施,因为泰国人总是面带微笑,说话的方式也很慢、很平静。 Wasana Sitirin: 外国人来清迈居住对当地人来说是可以接受的,因为他们会花钱,促进当地经济。他们将资金从他们的国家带到清迈,以促进当地经济,所以没有问题。 Dr. Caleb Johnston: 泰国护理院的商业模式之所以可行,主要是因为泰国的工资远低于欧洲或美国等国家。虽然在泰国从事护理工作的工资相对较低,但在这些机构中的工作条件总体来说还是不错的。然而,医疗旅游业正在消耗公共医疗资源,这是一个值得关注的问题。

Deep Dive

Chapters
Many Western retirees are choosing Thailand for its affordable and high-quality care, driven by escalating costs and perceived shortcomings in their home countries. The cultural aspects, such as the respectful attitude towards the elderly in Thai Buddhist culture, also play a significant role in this decision. This trend is rapidly increasing, with more and more people making the move each year.
  • Rising cost of care in Western countries
  • Cultural respect for the elderly in Thailand
  • Attractive cost of living in Thailand
  • Availability of activities and amenities in retirement resorts

Shownotes Transcript

Fed up with their own inadequate and expensive care systems, many elderly Westerners are choosing to retire to Thailand, where care is cheaper and often better. Many say Thailand’s Buddhist culture and respect for the elderly means Thais are naturally caring.

It’s a booming sector, and is only likely to grow as we all live longer. But the decision to move can be complex, particularly when it involves retirees with dementia.

People have been accused of dumping their sick relatives in Thai care homes, far from family. Is this exploitation – rich Westerners taking advantage of Thailand’s low wages? And what does it mean for local health systems, as care workers are lured away to look after foreign residents?

If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: [email protected]

Presented and produced by Gideon Long

(Picture: British retiree Liz Jackson, now living in Chiang Mai.)