How to send an Alzheimer's patient back to the U.K.? - From Bangkok

[vinny41]

5 hours ago, Furioso said:

He's 83 years old. Lives alone. He has no relatives except for a niece 600KM from Heathrow. 

He's got Alzheimer's pretty bad and obviously deteriorating every day. 

He's got 3 or 4 friends they want to send him back to U.K. on a plane. Alone. 

I spoke up and said "someone has to escort him back to the U.K. Period. 

As far as I know they're all similar age retirees, they say they're too busy but it really looks to me like nobody wants to step up. I don't know the guy but I said I'd do it but they said no. They're trying to arrange everything for his solo flight to U.K. but I'm thinking someone needs to escort him back. 

Maybe I'm wrong? 

 

5 hours ago, Furioso said:

They haven't been able to contact her..I dont' know all the details but I think the plan is for him to get off the plane at Heathrow and catch a cab to hospital. No airport staff involved either. Flight is scheduled for first week of March. 

I wonder why his "friends" said no to your kind offer of escorting him back to the UK

UK hospitals don't  admit people on the basis that they have Alzheimer's

Millions of people in the UK are required to privately fund care homes for relatives that have Alzheimer's or dementia with monthly fees   in excess of B340K depending on the level of care required and if additional medical care is required

1st point of call should be British Embassy

If he is unable to make decisions once he reaches the UK he would come under the Court of Protection

We make decisions on financial or welfare matters for people who can’t make decisions at the time they need to be made (they ‘lack mental capacity’).

https://www.gov.uk/courts-tribunals/court-of-protection

Ideally there needs to be someone that acts in the best interest of the person in question to ensure that any assets in Thailand are sold and transferred back to the UK

If he has sufficent assets a care home in Thailand would provide a better quality of life than a care home in the UK at a far lower cost

Frenchman’s rescue in Chiang Mai highlights Thailand as a caring alternative to nursing homes

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/02/28/expat-with-alzheimers-rescued-in-chiang-mai/

 

[theblether]

^^ Concur

 

Also, there's a very high risk he will be denied boarding at the airport. Very high risk. The check in staff are not stupid. I know two examples of denied boarding in the last couple of months and I was sent to the medical clinic for clearance due to something as simple as an eye infection. 

 

Showing up unaware of your surroundings? Or being walked through by a pal and abandoned at security/immigration? This has disaster written all over it. 

 

And Vinny41 is correct.  

[vinny41]

The 7 Stages of Alzheimer's Disease

https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/neuroscience-blog/2019/november/stages-of-alzheimers

With the early stages of Alzheimer's or Dementia

Most people wouldn't recognize they have it or family and friends wouldn't be aware other than the occasionally

memory lapses

[vinny41]

AI Overview

To send an Alzheimer's patient back to the UK, you would need to contact a medical transport service specializing in dementia care, coordinate with the patient's family and healthcare providers, ensure proper documentation is prepared including medical records and power of attorney, and make necessary arrangements for travel including flights, accommodation, and assistance at the airport and upon arrival in the UK; it's crucial to prioritize the patient's comfort and safety throughout the process, which may involve familiar items, calming techniques, and a consistent routine. 

Key steps to take:

Consult with healthcare professionals:

Discuss the patient's current condition, travel needs, and any necessary medical support with their doctor, care manager, and a specialist in dementia care. 

Choose a medical transport service:

Research and select a reputable medical transport company experienced in handling patients with dementia, ensuring they can provide appropriate care during the journey. 

Obtain necessary documentation:

Gather all relevant medical records, including diagnosis, medication details, and any power of attorney documents needed for making decisions on the patient's behalf. 

Travel arrangements:

Flight booking: Contact the airline and inform them about the patient's condition, requesting any necessary assistance like priority boarding and extra legroom. 

Airport assistance: Arrange for airport assistance services to guide the patient through security checks and to their gate. 

Accommodations: Book suitable accommodations in the UK, considering the patient's needs and proximity to family or care facilities. 

Prepare the patient for travel:

Familiar items: Bring familiar items like photos, blankets, favorite snacks, or clothing to help the patient feel comfortable. 

Communication: Use clear and simple language, explaining the travel plans in a calm and reassuring manner. 

Medication management: Ensure all medications are properly labeled and readily accessible throughout the journey. 

Consider a companion:

Depending on the patient's needs, arrange for a trusted family member or professional caregiver to accompany them during the trip. 

Important considerations:

Patient's mental state:

Assess the patient's ability to understand the travel plans and potential anxiety levels. 

Legal requirements:

Check any necessary immigration or visa requirements for the patient's return to the UK. 

Care arrangements in the UK:

Arrange for appropriate care upon arrival, whether with family, a care home, or other support services. 

[Furioso]

1 minute ago, vinny41 said:

 

I wonder why his "friends" said no to your kind offer of escorting him back to the UK

UK hospitals don't  admit people on the basis that they have Alzheimer's

Millions of people in the UK are required to privately fund care homes for relatives that have Alzheimer's or dementia with monthly fees   in excess of B340K depending on the level of care required and if additional medical care is required

1st point of call should be British Embassy

If he is unable to make decisions once he reaches the UK he would come under the Court of Protection

We make decisions on financial or welfare matters for people who can’t make decisions at the time they need to be made (they ‘lack mental capacity’).

https://www.gov.uk/courts-tribunals/court-of-protection

Ideally there needs to be someone that acts in the best interest of the person in question to ensure that any assets in Thailand are sold and transferred back to the UK

If he has sufficent assets a care home in Thailand would provide a better quality of life than a care home in the UK at a far lower cost

Frenchman’s rescue in Chiang Mai highlights Thailand as a caring alternative to nursing homes

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/02/28/expat-with-alzheimers-rescued-in-chiang-mai/

 

Yes, this is a strange case where the guy with Alzheimer's has no family(no wife/no ex-wife/no kids). He has an 86 year old sister so that's probably no help and the niece that's 600KM away from Heathrow. His financial situation is ok. I offered assistance out of frustration, basically I was complaining "why don't you or your friends take him back?". and he downplayed it then didn't' want to discuss it further.  We're still on speaking terms though. Good news is sometime during our discussion he mentioned they would contact the British Embassy. His apt. has been sold(he's currently renting) so that's already taken care of. I don't know all the facts as why they're sending him back to the U.K. I can only surmise they think the U.K. NHS will take care of him. He has no home to go back to. He may barely know the niece but once again, he does have a 86 year old sister. At least 2 or 3 of his friends are getting this plan together, and I can vouch for my friend he's been very successful his whole life and usually get things done proper. It's just the whole put him on a plane and send him on his way that I just don't agree with. Seems really unacceptable. Who knows maybe there's a few key points about their plan I don't know about and he'll be fine. Doesn't seem so but you never know. Abourt 6 months ago a quiet guy that lived below me found out he had early stage Alzheimer's. He was running Venom or Cobra I forget. Anyway, his brother came over from the U.K. Sold his condo and escorted him back to the U.K. I installed a new T.V. in that condo after he left. It was completely empty except for a bottle of cologne. It was just so gd sad I don't wish dementia on anyone. 

[OneMoreFarang]

Companies who take care of sick tourist with travel insurance arrange such escorts.

You could contact one of them and ask if they can help you/him.

[Lorry]

3 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Companies who take care of sick tourist with travel insurance arrange such escorts.

You could contact one of them and ask if they can help you/him.

Very expensive

[scubascuba3]

6 hours ago, Furioso said:

Yes, this is a strange case where the guy with Alzheimer's has no family(no wife/no ex-wife/no kids). He has an 86 year old sister so that's probably no help and the niece that's 600KM away from Heathrow. His financial situation is ok. I offered assistance out of frustration, basically I was complaining "why don't you or your friends take him back?". and he downplayed it then didn't' want to discuss it further.  We're still on speaking terms though. Good news is sometime during our discussion he mentioned they would contact the British Embassy. His apt. has been sold(he's currently renting) so that's already taken care of. I don't know all the facts as why they're sending him back to the U.K. I can only surmise they think the U.K. NHS will take care of him. He has no home to go back to. He may barely know the niece but once again, he does have a 86 year old sister. At least 2 or 3 of his friends are getting this plan together, and I can vouch for my friend he's been very successful his whole life and usually get things done proper. It's just the whole put him on a plane and send him on his way that I just don't agree with. Seems really unacceptable. Who knows maybe there's a few key points about their plan I don't know about and he'll be fine. Doesn't seem so but you never know. Abourt 6 months ago a quiet guy that lived below me found out he had early stage Alzheimer's. He was running Venom or Cobra I forget. Anyway, his brother came over from the U.K. Sold his condo and escorted him back to the U.K. I installed a new T.V. in that condo after he left. It was completely empty except for a bottle of cologne. It was just so gd sad I don't wish dementia on anyone. 

50% over 85 have dementia, something to look forward to...My mum has it, 90, came on last few years, time shifting stage, I'll terminate my life if i come down with dementia, Parkinson's etc 

[OneMoreFarang]

3 hours ago, Lorry said:

Very expensive

Sure, it's expensive.

What do you expect if someone with medical experience, maybe a nurse, has to travel for several days?

 

[OneMoreFarang]

29 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

50% over 85 have dementia, something to look forward to...My mum has it, 90, came on last few years, time shifting stage, I'll terminate my life if i come down with dementia, Parkinson's etc 

But then, you have forgotten that part when it happens... 

[scubascuba3]

23 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

But then, you have forgotten that part when it happens... 

True that most people just drift into dementia, Parkinson's etc

[Liverpool Lou]

10 hours ago, Furioso said:

11 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

As soon as the airline staff see his condition he will likely be refused boarding if he has no one to take care of him during the flight.   The cabin crew, even if they wanted to, are not permitted to take on that responsibility.

he's supposed to leave early March and his passport expires 15 March

What's the relevance of that to my comment regarding refusal of boarding?

[norfolkandchance]

16 hours ago, Furioso said:

He's 83 years old. Lives alone. He has no relatives except for a niece 600KM from Heathrow. 

He's got Alzheimer's pretty bad and obviously deteriorating every day. 

He's got 3 or 4 friends they want to send him back to U.K. on a plane. Alone. 

I spoke up and said "someone has to escort him back to the U.K. Period. 

As far as I know they're all similar age retirees, they say they're too busy but it really looks to me like nobody wants to step up. I don't know the guy but I said I'd do it but they said no. They're trying to arrange everything for his solo flight to U.K. but I'm thinking someone needs to escort him back. 

Maybe I'm wrong? 

Has the gentleman served in the Armed Forces. If so, the Royal British Legion maybe able to help. They have a branch in Pattaya.