I moved to Dok Kaew Gardens three years ago, but only now found the discussion on Thai Visa
One cannot understand Dok Kaew Gardens thinking of it only as a retirement community. Built eight years ago, it is only a small part of a much larger endeavor begun more than a century ago. Its' mission has changed with the passage of time to meet changing needs.
In 1907 Dr. James McKean, an America Presbyterian missionary petitioned the ruler of Chang Mai, Chao Inthawarorot Suriyawong , and was given the use of an island surrounded by the Ping River on the west and a small canal on the east to create a facility where leprosy patients could receive care and housing.
Through the years, with support from around the world, the community grew to include several thousand inhabitants, a hospital, clinics, schools, churches, farms, workshops, and several villages, all managed by the McKean center.
When effective medical treatment for leprosy was developed those resources were turned to physical rehabilitation, and other areas important to the welfare of the Thai people. The name McKean Rehabilitation Center was adopted. The Center is a service unit of the Church of Christ of Thailand.
Seven years ago, recognizing the needs of an aging population, McKean constructed the Dok Kaew Gardens complex which is comparable to facilities in western retirement centers. It occupies a 160 acre forested island extending two kilometers along the Ping River. Every level of care is provided from low to high, extending to nursing home, dementia care, and hospice care. There is a hospital on the campus. It is fifteen minutes by taxi from Chiang Mai's city wall. How fortunate it is that the land granted to Dr. McKean over a hundred years ago is such an extensive and green environment so well suited to the development of aged care communities.
Assisted living at Dok Kaew Gardens at McKean
in Chiang Mai
Posted
I moved to Dok Kaew Gardens three years ago, but only now found the discussion on Thai Visa
One cannot understand Dok Kaew Gardens thinking of it only as a retirement community. Built eight years ago, it is only a small part of a much larger endeavor begun more than a century ago. Its' mission has changed with the passage of time to meet changing needs.
In 1907 Dr. James McKean, an America Presbyterian missionary petitioned the ruler of Chang Mai, Chao Inthawarorot Suriyawong , and was given the use of an island surrounded by the Ping River on the west and a small canal on the east to create a facility where leprosy patients could receive care and housing.
Through the years, with support from around the world, the community grew to include several thousand inhabitants, a hospital, clinics, schools, churches, farms, workshops, and several villages, all managed by the McKean center.
When effective medical treatment for leprosy was developed those resources were turned to physical rehabilitation, and other areas important to the welfare of the Thai people. The name McKean Rehabilitation Center was adopted. The Center is a service unit of the Church of Christ of Thailand.
Seven years ago, recognizing the needs of an aging population, McKean constructed the Dok Kaew Gardens complex which is comparable to facilities in western retirement centers. It occupies a 160 acre forested island extending two kilometers along the Ping River. Every level of care is provided from low to high, extending to nursing home, dementia care, and hospice care. There is a hospital on the campus. It is fifteen minutes by taxi from Chiang Mai's city wall. How fortunate it is that the land granted to Dr. McKean over a hundred years ago is such an extensive and green environment so well suited to the development of aged care communities.
Only photos can give you an idea of the sort of place it is. I took these while exploring our island on my electric wheelchair. The link below will take you to them. https://www.dropbox.com/sc/hikyrs6yieyouja/AAB_MLTlxESKnm5cf7N5SBxna
(When the photos appear, begin by clicking on the upper left photo. If photos dont appear, click the refresh icon.)