Department urged to develop nursing-home business amid rising number of elderly citizens
The Commerce Ministry has ordered the Department of Business Development to speed up development of the nursing-home business in the country by introducing efficient management to match world standards as well as find ways to woo investors.
Commerce Minister Veerasak Wangsuphakijkosol said on Friday (September 13) that there were concerns Thailand’s nursing-home industry would not be able to cope with rising demand from the increasing number of elderly citizens in the country.
“We also want Thailand to become the centre for the nursing-home business in the region, and we need qualified personnel such as doctors, nurses, physical therapists, nutritionists and occupational therapists, as well as facilities and management with international standards. This will allow us to cater to elderly foreigners who come to Thailand or use our knowledge to invest in other countries,” he said.
The Department will be responsible for establishing high management standards through education, and strengthen management potential, following the guidelines of the Thailand Quality Award.
“We also want to create marketing opportunities as well as connect nursing-home business networks with the market through new platforms or marketing channels of related startups,” he added.
Presently there are five types of nursing-home businesses in Thailand – residential home, assisted living, basic nursing home, long-term care hospital and hospice care.
There are approximately 800 operators in this business and it is expected that Thailand will have 13 million elderly citizens in 2020 and 18 million in 2030, equivalent to 27 per cent of the total population.