Farang With Severe Alzeihmer In Thailand

[pluto_manibo]

An dear elderly farang friend of mine(72 yrs) has suffered from Alzeihmers' disease for the last few years. In the last two years it has progressed very rapidly. It has come to the point, where he doesn't remember his wifes' name, becomes paranoid and delusional. Until 2 days ago he was never violent but he has threatened his wife with knives, broken windows, destroyed their home and physically assaulted her. He also ran away and made it to Sukhumvit road, where he was a danger to himself and others.

Three days ago she took him to Bkk-Ptty Hospital, where he got some medication and was sent off home. The medication didn't work. The following day after some mishaps, his wife called an Ambulance from the Sirikit Naval Hospital in Sattahip. Again he was sedated and went home to sleep...only to wake up at night and cause many disturbances and maybe injury to himself. Yesterday, I was called to their home, where his family did not know what to do....the police, sawaang boriboon were outside the gate, no one would enter the premises for fear of being assaulted. He was quite delusional and agitated but we managed to calm him down. I drove him to Sirikit, were he was again sedated. They told us they have no facilities or Psychiatric ward for such cases and that we should go to Chonburi. We went to Chonburi Hospital, were he got more sedation, a ct scan and a blood test....They basically told us that the Mental Hospital is full, there are no more beds and to come back tomorrow at 9 am(today) for an evaluation or try to find a place in Bangkok. So we drove back to Pattaya and went to Memorial Hospital. They sedated him again....he was quite agitated. He physically assaulted her again and is very aggressive and restless. Memorial Hospital told her to take him back to Chonburi.....she herself is becoming very emotional being the primary caregiver,wife. He is a dear friend and shouldn't be judged because of his state of mind but I would like for his family to be spared from violent outbursts and for him to be relieved of his mental anguish in a proper environment.

If anyone could recommend an institution or private nursing care(at home), it would be greatly appreciated.

[lazeeboy]

very sad ,dont know of any help here in thailand ..

[SiamCarTrader]

An dear elderly farang friend of mine(72 yrs) has suffered from Alzeihmers' disease for the last few years. In the last two years it has progressed very rapidly. It has come to the point, where he doesn't remember his wifes' name, becomes paranoid and delusional. Until 2 days ago he was never violent but he has threatened his wife with knives, broken windows, destroyed their home and physically assaulted her. He also ran away and made it to Sukhumvit road, where he was a danger to himself and others.

Three days ago she took him to Bkk-Ptty Hospital, where he got some medication and was sent off home. The medication didn't work. The following day after some mishaps, his wife called an Ambulance from the Sirikit Naval Hospital in Sattahip. Again he was sedated and went home to sleep...only to wake up at night and cause many disturbances and maybe injury to himself. Yesterday, I was called to their home, where his family did not know what to do....the police, sawaang boriboon were outside the gate, no one would enter the premises for fear of being assaulted. He was quite delusional and agitated but we managed to calm him down. I drove him to Sirikit, were he was again sedated. They told us they have no facilities or Psychiatric ward for such cases and that we should go to Chonburi. We went to Chonburi Hospital, were he got more sedation, a ct scan and a blood test....They basically told us that the Mental Hospital is full, there are no more beds and to come back tomorrow at 9 am(today) for an evaluation or try to find a place in Bangkok. So we drove back to Pattaya and went to Memorial Hospital. They sedated him again....he was quite agitated. He physically assaulted her again and is very aggressive and restless. Memorial Hospital told her to take him back to Chonburi.....she herself is becoming very emotional being the primary caregiver,wife. He is a dear friend and shouldn't be judged because of his state of mind but I would like for his family to be spared from violent outbursts and for him to be relieved of his mental anguish in a proper environment.

If anyone could recommend an institution or private nursing care(at home), it would be greatly appreciated.

I Feel for you i really do

My mother has this in the UK and my father does the best he can for her, it really is sad watching them get more and more ill

Im the UK my dad has carers that come round 4 times a day to help etc im sure in Thailand you wont get this kind of care

the only help would be get a private nurse or carer, this will be a tough few months for his wife

i wish you all the best

Rob

[harrry]

This may be a case where depending on the persons nationality as to whether health care exists, it may be worth seeing the persons embassy to suggest repatriation. I know it is hard but it can only get harder there.

[0Mix1up]

i would try to keep him constantly medicated and find in house care or a private hospital

[it would require $$$ to get him admitted i presume]

until longer term arrangements can be made

and while it may not be appropriate

i wonder about quality of life at that age with illnesses and the amount of care needed

for me i'd rather be gone than spend a few years in palliative care not knowing who the f anybody is!

[Garret]

I would check with Bangkok Gen . It has allways served me well in the past . I have sent quite a few people there , wish i had more to say. good luck

[prefabs]

There was a recent documentary on tv (CNN, I think) and I did not know how widespread Alzheimers is. It was shocking to see how the body basically forgets how to operate.

This is one reason why I am reconsidering my retirement options at the moment. I am not married and wonder who would take care of me if such a terrible thing came upon me here. I would rather go quickly than suffer the years of gradual downward spiralling.

Makes one think and I would not wish to impose my sufferings on anyone here in Thailand. I believe there would be a degree of care in the Thai family system, but for a foreiger, this would impose an impossible burden on anyone.

[pluto_manibo]

I also have reconsidered my options, after having witnessed what I saw a couple of days ago. Unless you have a big loving extended family, and a rock solid premium insurance plan, I would reconsider retiring in Thailand(although I am far from retirement age). I think every individual should take the necessary measures in terms of insurance and/or a fund to get repatriated or cared for. I would not want to become a burden to anyone and also would like to go with dignity and the shortest amount of pain, when my time comes.

[IssanFarang]

What is his nationality? The embassies have experience in dealing with these situations.

If he's a USA citizen, pls PM me for more info.

[Sheryl]

For short-term treatment of acute problem (i.e. when he is completely unmanageable/dangerous) options are:

- Bangkok Hospital or Samitivej Hospital, both have inpatient psych wards

-Manorom Hospital (?sp?) a new private pysch hospital in Bangkok. Has website.

However he is also going to need long-term care. It is possible that with medication provided by the above he could be managed for a while at home (with a caretaker) but sooner or later he will need to be institutionalized.

The only long-term care facility I know of is called Golden Years. Address and phoine number beklow. I have heard from someone who checked it out for another farang that it seems quite good and rates are about $2000 a month. Like a lot of places in Thailand they seem not to respond to email inqueries (at least not to emails in English) so need to go in person or call.

If he/his family does not have the financial resources for that then the only recourse is to have him repatriated once his agitation is under medical control

Good luck and keep us posted on what happens.

Golden years Nursing Home

55/3 Sutthisan Rd., Hauikwang, Bangkok, Thailand 10320

(near sutthisan subway sta)

Tel: 66 2 693 0733 Fax: 66 2 275 5295

website http://www.goldenyears.co.th

[pluto_manibo]

Thank you for the replies. He is a Uk national. He is back in hospital since last night 2 am, apparently he wasn't moving and laying still with his eyes open. Later during the night, he recovered a little and gathered some strength. I also suggested repatriation but his wife wants to be with him and feels sorry for him. At the end of the day it is her call.

[IssanFarang]

... his wife wants to be with him and feels sorry for him. At the end of the day it is her call.

How fortunate for him to have a wife like that... How utterly heartbreaking for her... My prayers to both.