As Thailand becomes an ageing society, one of the most critical issues is how frail elderly folk can be taken care of when their children have to go out to make a living.
Some have to ask their relatives to take care of their ageing family members while others have to hire nurses at high cost to provide care.
However, residents of Bangkok's Bang Kapi district now have an alternative after the Public Health Centre 35 in the Hua Mak area, supervised by City Hall's Health Department, and the local community launched a facility to take care of the elderly temporarily when their children or relatives are at work.
The opening ceremony of the care building was presided over by deputy Bangkok governor Pusadee Tamthai yesterday.
The building is located in Soi Lat Phrao 101. It is open from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
The facility targets the elderly who are partially disabled and they must have addresses in Bang Kapi district.
Staff are volunteers who have undergone training courses in caring for the elderly organised by the Health Department.
Thanapol Petmali, head of the health volunteer group at the centre, said the country is becoming an ageing society, with the number of old people rising and most of them suffering health problems.
He said people in the community can also help take care of the elderly in their areas, so they don't have to rely on their children.
The volunteers observed the work of community-based organisations which provide care for the elderly and the patients. Many learned and worked at the organisations before joining the care facility staff.
Mr Thanapol said volunteers who had passed the training visit elderly people at their homes together with nurses.
They also work at the elderly care facility alongside nurses and physiotherapists, he said.
The volunteers can give advice to the elderly on how they can change their habits to keep strong and how to use equipment at the facility.
He said the centre can look after the elderly for up to a whole day, adding: "Their children and relatives can feel at ease since we have nurses and volunteers to provide care."
To use the facility, the elderly must register there to ensure staff know their health profiles and addresses, Mr Thanapol said.
Those who want to drop off the elderly at the facility must provide the dates and time in advance so the centre can arrange staff to look after them.
The centre also sets aside an area where the elderly can exercise and undergo physical therapy.
Prangsap Yomnak, a local resident with an elderly mother, said this is a creative project to train people in the community to take care of the elderly.
"It is impressive to have this centre, which is a joint project between the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the local community," said Ms Prangsap. "Now this centre has emerged, I believe more of them will spring up."
She said she also wants to support the centre by donating equipment such as blood-pressure testing devices and weighing scales, which should be beneficial to local residents.
Flight Officer Thossapon Sriborikit, acting chief of Public Health Centre 35, said the care centre divides the elderly into groups. Some undergo physical therapy while others receive counselling.
"We normally see the elderly disliking physiotherapy at home. But when they meet others, they are motivated to do more of it," said Flg Off Thossapon.
Kanlaya Kaewpanich, 53, who lives near the facility, said she was delighted that efforts are being been made to look after the elderly in the area.