Outreach for Elderly Foreigner in Pattaya

[squatncrunch]

Hello, I hope this is the correct place to post this. I have an elderly friend, 87yo, that has many health problems and is starting to go downhill fast.

 

- Confirmed breast cancer which has been treated with creams thus far from local hospitals in Pattaya. He has had this for many years and has been very slowly progressing over a period of 10 years, his claim, not mine. It is VERY apparent that it has spread to his entire right arm as it is pitted and extremely swollen. He gets daily bandage changes for the  actual breast at a local clinic.

 

- He is suffering massive pain in his greater joints, hips, shoulders, knees.

 

- He cannot hear well at all and has listened to some horrible advice from other residents in our condo about not getting a hearing aid. No idea why anyone would direct him not to get one.

 

-Continuously dizzy, afraid to take a shower for fear of passing out.

 

-No Insurance. UK citizen but doubt he could make the flight, he has not been to the UK for 20 years and has no family there or here.

 

There are many other problems but I will spare you all of that. Obviously, he needs urgent care and I will meet with him today to set-up an appointment at Bumrungrad ASAP. His near deafness has caused him to distrust all Dr. in Pattaya, he believes he is ignored due to the lack of communication. I know if he could hear he would not think this...as much. This is causing him not to be able to help himself. He could not afford a hearing aid, unless,  there are some cheap ones available, even if it inst anywhere near top-of-the-line, anything would help.

 

My actual question is, what the heck should I do to help him?? I have about two weeks before my job and University starts up again and I will not be in  a postilion to help much. Are there any known resources in and around the Pattaya area that could help speak to the Thai doctors at appointments or get him to appointments? He needs welfare checks daily as well, which people around the condo try to do. I will start at the churches in town. He also has very little money and his pension is all messed up as well.

 

Sorry for the crazy long post, I am trying to help him and know there are good people around to help him, but where??   Take care everyone and please make sure you are insured!!!! Have  a great Saturday.

[lopburi3]

Quote

Obviously, he needs urgent care and I will meet with him today to set-up an appointment at Bumrungrad ASAP.

Please wait for response from those with knowledge - that is the most expensive hospital in Thailand and he obviously can not afford to spend for hospital - only if only good choice of doctor were there should it probably be a first choice in a case like this.  Also believe local hospital care for someone in his condition would be indicated if at all possiable.

[squatncrunch]

Thank you for your reply. Yes, Bumrungrad can be very expensive and I am hesitant to actually make the appointment as it would take all of his money. Being a recent patient at Bumrungrad myself I can say the doctors are top-notch but so are many others in Thailand. I doubt my friend will listen to me, he is very stubborn. I will try and persuade him to stay local or near-by, if, indeed, there are other doctors that can manage his case. Thank you.

[NancyL]

Absolutely do not take him to Bumrungrad.  This is not the first option for someone with limited funds, especially at age 87 when it's likely he's more in need of palliative care and not a cure.

 

Is he a British veteran, i.e serving even for just a few months?  If so, you should contact the Royal British Legion in Pattaya about his situation.  http://www.rblthailand.org/branch-details.html  They have a trained welfare team who know the local resources and he could be eligible for assistance if he is a British veteran.

[Sheryl]

+1 to what NancyL said.

 

I would add that from what you describe he would be best served by a palliative care program and these are not widely available (or very good) in most places in Thailand and that includes Bumrungrad (i.e. not great there either) - it is far better in the UK.  He is also soon going to need, if he does not already, to be in a residential facility. There are some good ones in CM geared towards foreigners.

 

I suggest you track down whatever family he has in the UK even if they are remote relative and apprise them of the situation.

[squatncrunch]

Thanks Nancy and Sheryl, he is a WWII Vet, great idea I will jump on that asap. I have already talked him out of Bumrungrad, at least for now. He is very stubborn and still mobile so he comes and goes at will. He has an 83 yo sister in the UK, I could contact her, altho she is already in a residential facilty with ill health. I think the Veterans assistance could be our only help. Thank you so very much for the sound advice.

[chubby]

what is he taking for his "massive" pain, 

what is the cancer prognosis thought to be?

what medications does he take?

 

what are his list of diagnosis?