Living a full life, late in life

Thailand is an ageing society, as defined by the United Nations, which means a country's population consists of more than 10% elderly. Based on 2015 data from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, around 11 million Thais are over 60, which means 16% of the entire population.

Thailand is expected to become a full-fledged aged society in a decade. The ministry said that by that time, people over 60 will account for 20% of the population. The country is experiencing one of the most rapidly ageing populations in the developing world, according to the World Health Organization.

In light of this population shift, the government has asserted initiatives to handle the situation by offering employment-seeking services for the elderly, as well as considering increased pension payouts. Some local municipalities offer programmes to engage with senior citizens in their area. Likewise, the private sector is responding to this change by introducing senior-oriented gadgets, innovations, services and more to aid the elderly and their family members to improve communications, mobility, safety and general living.

Life has explored this relatively new market and compiled some of the products and services available today for senior citizens.

HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY

Choosing a suitable place for the elderly to live comfortably has become a concern for many families. In recent years, one business that has risen to such needs is a housing-development project designed to suit elderly and retirement living.

One such place is Villa Meesuk Residences in Chiang Mai, which opened two years ago. The housing development offers condominiums, private villas, a nursing home and clinic with 24-hour care from on-site nurses.

In developing the elderly living space, Sasiwimol Singhanetr -- director of Villa Meesuk -- said the team adopted a concept of universal design that can be easily accessed by all, regardless of age and ability. Ramps for wheelchairs, sliding doors, emergency bells, non-slippery floors, rails within the bathroom and more are fitted in all areas.

"For the design of the house, we focus on the elderly's physique and capability -- how that changed from when they could take care of themselves to when they can no longer accomplish that. Individuality also matters a great deal. We have to get to know each person, what they like and dislike, and how to give them services that cater to their needs so they can live in a place happily and comfortably," said Sasiwimol.

The team said it's crucial to recognise that, as helpless as they are, the elderly are not kids. They are still adults who have lived a full life; they just happen to require individual care and attention. It's not right to tell them what to do; any chosen activities should suit their lifestyle and preferences.

There are currently around 40 occupants living within Villa Meesuk. Their age ranges from 45-103. The team offers their occupants regular social gatherings, excursions and alms-giving.

The residence director said that most enquiries she has been receiving are from younger generations looking into a long-term plan for their own retirement. Others enquire on behalf of their ageing parents, and in the interest of real-estate investment.

Sasiwimol said her team isn't hoping to rule over this elderly housing market, aiming instead to be a learning centre, where information is given and shared among different parties to develop a body of knowledge aiding Thailand's elderly.

In Chiang Mai, she said there are about two housing developments of its kind within the city.

For Bangkokians who prefer something a little closer to the capital, Thonburi Healthcare Group will soon unveil its Jin Well-being County -- a residential complex for the elderly -- in Pathum Thani.

THE 4.0 COMPANION

With everyone in a family busy with his or her own life, it can be difficult to have someone personally care for the elderly 24/7. Most of the time, the elderly person is left at home alone, with limited interaction and activities throughout the day.

To assist in care, CT Asia Robotics introduced the white-and-blue Dinsow Mini last year as a companion for those who are mostly confined to bed. The robot can call family members automatically, give caretakers notice when the elderly person wakes up, urge them to play games and exercise and listen to music, and offer words of dhamma.

Chalermpol Punnotok -- CEO of CT Asia Robotics -- feels that robots can assume an even greater role in caring for the elderly. Aside from the Dinsow Mini, the CEO said he'll be launching a new Dinsow model at the end of this year. This latest line of elderly assistance will be able to serve food and water, check blood pressure and body temperature, keep the elderly company, and follow the elderly person around the house.

"We hope our robots can mitigate the risks to our senior citizens," he said. "We want to help raise awareness that, if we can take good care of the elderly, they'll be able to live happily among us for a long time. If not, their condition can worsen rapidly, leading to depression and dementia. And that will also add up to cost and burden for the family.

"Prevention is possible by being attentive to their needs, getting their brains stimulated and working, and not forgetting to take them out from time to time."

GET YOUR WHEELS ON THE GO

For wheelchair-bound elderly, going places can be a tedious task for both themselves and their family. The caretaker has to get the elderly in and out of the car, and then help them get on their wheelchair once they reach their destination.

In recent years, one innovation that has stepped in to aid this task is the electric lifter chair (or hoist chair) -- a seat with a hydraulic system and sensor that can lift wheelchair-bound people in and out of the car easily. Some models come with a detachable seat that can double as a wheelchair, offering both the elderly and caregiver trouble-free travel.

"The feedback for these hoist chairs has been good," said Nirun Sengiam -- managing director at NR Autoseats -- who has been developing this innovation in Thailand for over a decade. "Still, there has yet to be that many users, as there are some limitations because families would need to have a big van with a sliding door in order to utilise this innovation."

Nirun said he's now developing the chair and the system to suit smaller vehicles such as Honda Freed and Sienta to offer more alternatives for customers.

With the prevalence of the ageing population in Thailand, Nirun revealed that it has affected his business positively, as the demand for these chairs is growing stronger each year. From just one or two orders when he first started, Nirun is now met with around 30 orders per month, from both domestic and international clients.

Aside from expanding existing models to fit more vehicles, Nirun plans to develop the current mechanism to cater to needs of well-rounded mobility.

"Since we have gotten the mechanism right already, we could go from a car to perhaps getting the elderly up and down the stairs, as well as other household usages to cater to comfortable and mobile living for our senior citizens."

LIFE-SAVING WRISTBAND

Medical ID bracelets may be widely used in several countries. However, it is something quite new to Thais, even though it's a crucial tool that can alert first responders and medical services of any condition that may require immediate attention.

"We feel it may be best for everyone, especially the elderly, to carry their own medical information, on their person, for prompt treatment and diagnosis in case of emergency," said Pitipong Laengvejkal, who recently introduced his medical bracelets -- called MEiD -- to the Thai market.

"There are many cases that can be fixed if only doctors have the necessary medical information of a patient. Since this information is rarely linked from the patient to the doctor, or even from one doctor to another, we want to create a secure database that people can access to help save a life," he said.

MEiD currently offers a QR code-based medical identification alert that responders can scan with their phones in order to gain access to the wearer's medical information such as allergies, personal conditions, illnesses and more.

Pitipong and his team spent a year-and-a-half developing the wristband -- made from medical-grade silicone -- and the phone's app that users can use to update their information. He hopes the information can help lessen the communication gap between patients, families and doctors.

Aside from scanning the QR code, information can also be accessed via website or call centre.

THE FINAL destination

As some people are planning for a retirement home, others are looking even further, into their next, final real-estate destination: a burial plot.

Nirvana Asia Group, founded in 1990 in Malaysia, has been trying to reinvent the concept of these memorial parks for the past 27 years, aiming for them to be aesthetically pleasing to both the deceased and the living, and true to feng shui. The company has built over 17 memorial parks around the world. One of its latest sites is now being constructed at Ban Bueng, Chon Buri, with an area of 253 rai due for completion in 2020. "It's quite a new concept in Thailand," said Wannasiri Charoenpornsumrit, operations manager of Nirvana Memorial Park. "Our target is actually the living. It's an investment, a planning they can do now while they're still alive. It's a final home that people can choose for themselves without leaving the financial burden to their family."

The operations manager said feedback has been good, though some are still reluctant because of the superstitious implications of preparing for one's own death. Despite this, over a third of the burial plots have been sold. The size varies, with plots accommodating up to 32 persons -- with prices starting at 800,000 baht for a burial ground.