Help! Need a live-in caregiver for my mother-in-law

[Louro]

My mother-in-law was in a terrible accident (not from driving a motorbike). My spouse, Louis, and I don't live in Thailand (we are Canadians temporarily living in Spain and currently I'm working in Canada. Yes, talk about being spread all over the world), but Louis dropped everything to go and take care of her. He's been there over 2 weeks, 24/7 at the governement hospital and since last Friday back at home where he's been attending to all her needs. It's very difficult for him to look for a caregiver, especially one who can speak English. We've already had to cancel his flight back to Spain and booked a new one. We really need to find someone this week. Of course, lodging and a monthly wage will be offered.

Can anyone help us? Please do not hesitate to contact us via this site so that I can provide you with Louis' contact information.

Many thanks

Caro and Louis (Louro)

[wayned]

You should contact the hospitals and inquire. They sometimes are able to provide the name of someone. retired nurse, part time nurse assistant, orderly, etc.

[phetphet]

I recall someone else asking a similar question here on TV a few months ago. It might pay to do a search either on the TV Forums, or even the TV Classified ads.

[Rooo]

I recall someone else asking a similar question here on TV a few months ago. It might pay to do a search either on the TV Forums, or even the TV Classified ads.

The OP is aware of the other topic & asked the same question there. I removed it as it was a double posting.

[harrry]

If you are not in the country to supervise I am sure that the caregiver situation will not be practicable. They have a very high turnover and even if you get a good one there is every possibility one morning they just will not turn up. How will you handle that from Spain.

You may have to look for a care option.

As an example there is a care home in ChiangMai providing a good airconditioned room and 24 hour nursing care in a garden setting for about 30000 baht a month. Food and medical care is extra but is quite reasonable in the attached hospital especially if finances are limited.

There are probably others. PM me if you want more information.

This would not need to be a permanent option but if care is needed only for a couple of months for recovery I am sure it would be ok.

There are of course many all thai care places too of varying standards.

Edited November 5, 2013 by harrry

[Louro]

Thanks all for your suggestions (and sorry for double posting)

I will relay the information to Louis. I've emailed the hospitals in town asking for a contact. A nursing home sounds like a good option, Harry. I've emailed the only one I've found online in Koh Samui (Koh Samui Retirement Village), where my mother-in-law lives. It looks quite pricey, though. My mother-in-law doesn't have any savings or health insurance.

Thanks again! I'll keep you posted.

[wayned]

Sending emails to the hospitals most likely will not get any response. Your wife needs to go in person and find someone that speaks and understands English, and explain exactly what she is looking for. A nursing home would be best as a in home caregiver might just not come to work one day and your MIL would be in a real bind with no one near to her.

[Louro]

Sounds like good advice to have her live in a nursing home. I haven't found one online in Koh Samui (apart from this retirement village that is not at all what we need or can afford). Louis is tied up nursing his mother so it's impossible for him to go out and find someone in person. Anyone know of any home he or I could then try to call up?

Much appreciated

[harrry]

I presume your MIL is not thai.

I suggest that Koh Samui will probably be ridiculously expensive.

It may be worth checking out http://www.chiangmainews.com/ecmn/viewfa.php?id=2761

The care there is very good and it is a loverly setting but is in ChiangMai.

[Louro]

Hi Harry,

Yes, you're correct, my MIL is not thai. I asked Louis if it was possible for his mother to travel. She is unfortunately not in a condition to be able to do so. So yeah, we are dealing with the costs of this very expensive island. Thanks for the suggestion, perhaps it'll become an option when she becomes a little more mobile.

[harrry]

Hi Harry,

Yes, you're correct, my MIL is not thai. I asked Louis if it was possible for his mother to travel. She is unfortunately not in a condition to be able to do so. So yeah, we are dealing with the costs of this very expensive island. Thanks for the suggestion, perhaps it'll become an option when she becomes a little more mobile.

An ambulance from there to CM would cost about 20000baht.

[Louro]

Hi Harry,

Yes, you're correct, my MIL is not thai. I asked Louis if it was possible for his mother to travel. She is unfortunately not in a condition to be able to do so. So yeah, we are dealing with the costs of this very expensive island. Thanks for the suggestion, perhaps it'll become an option when she becomes a little more mobile.

An ambulance from there to CM would cost about 20000baht.

Hmm, something to really consider. I'm relaying the information. Thanks for all the info!

[notmyself]

Hi Harry,

Yes, you're correct, my MIL is not thai. I asked Louis if it was possible for his mother to travel. She is unfortunately not in a condition to be able to do so. So yeah, we are dealing with the costs of this very expensive island. Thanks for the suggestion, perhaps it'll become an option when she becomes a little more mobile.

An ambulance from there to CM would cost about 20000baht.

Hmm, something to really consider. I'm relaying the information. Thanks for all the info!

20k seems pretty cheap given what is involved. CM would certainly be a better place IMO because as was mentioned, your mother's helper could just decide to not turn up.

Maybe Rooo could move to the CM forum for more info?

Edited November 6, 2013 by notmyself

[Mrjlh]

There is a hospice hospital next to the St. Louis Hospital in Hua Hin. It would be a shorter drive. I haven't been there on a couple of years but if I'm not mistaken there was a large sign advertising price and services. I'll see if street maps shows it.

[Mrjlh]

Made a mistake....it was next to the San Paulo Hospital in the back. It appears it has moved. At any event, check with the hospital staff where your in-law is and simply ask where can you take her for care?

[Rooo]

20k seems pretty cheap given what is involved. CM would certainly be a better place IMO because as was mentioned, your mother's helper could just decide to not turn up.

Maybe Rooo could move to the CM forum for more info?

I would pose the question about Caring Facilities around the region in the Health forum. Please do not post the duplicate of this topic, but an inquiry about full care establishments.

Heath Forum:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/23-health-body-and-medicine/

[Louro]

Thanks Roo, just posted a query in that forum. Thanks Mrjlh. Will continue to relay information.

[athimook]

Could you please advice more details about scope of work or how many member in the house, etc through my email address; [email protected]

I'm Thai and I think I might be able to help you.

Please use the PM function available on this site. Personal emails against forum rules.

Edited November 8, 2013 by Rooo

[Louro]

Thanks all for all your help,

My spouse and I had drawn out list of many options to consider for my MIL's recovery, some reasonable and some much less. Yesterday, we were still looking for somone at least until the end of the month. Now, we just chatted (I'm waking up here in Canada) and Louis just told me he found someone starting Sunday! Yesterday morning, he told me that he opted to hire someone to be flown in from Europe. This person is arriving later in the month. This was on our list of options to consider. It's not at all in our budget, but seemed like the best thing for my MIL. She doesn't feel comfortable with a male caretaker (up to now, not all but almost everyone offering help has been a man) and she has other prejudices, which have made it extra difficult to find someone in Koh Samui. We were also facing time constraints and other stresses I've not shared with you all so the decision was made with flying someone in.

We'll be keeping all contact information we've gathered as things can always fall through and we'll need assistance again.

Thank you all again! I really do appreciate all the help.

[Sheryl]

Glad you got it resolved.

[notmyself]

I wish her well.