[fameintatenly]

A major concern of parents with a seriously disabled child is care for that child after they have passed. Finding the right home can be a comfort to the parents. The other children usually cannot care for their sibling, no matter how much they want to do so.

Do you already have group homes somewhere else?

[myspauyijbv]

30 years ago Thai families had at least half a dozen kids and the parent's died at 50-60, now they have a couple and they die at 70. Mathmatics alone make this look like a good idea especialy with the nation's trend towards state sponsored healthcare. Appatrently Japan has a booming industry in this sector where in the past as with Thailand families would have looked after the elderly. My only concern would be that you would be doing business in Thailand; its amid a political crisis which looks to ruin the country economically and you'd be subject to its restrictions on foreign business people which may get even worse if certain political factions gain power. Have you looked around to see if other places like the Philipines are a viable option?

[h0ldem]

Times are changing of course...

Thank you for the feedback. I found this article in the Bangkok Post since I last posted:

News » Local News
FOSTER HOMES IN CASH CRISIS
State funds, public donations falling during recession

* Published: 3/01/2010 at 12:00 AM
* Newspaper section: News

After years of declining donations and cash constraints, state-run foster homes are keeping their fingers crossed for a brighter year in 2010 when the economic slump is expected to ease.

GOING STRONG: Granny Preng Pupan, 82, poses during a New Year celebration party at Bang Khae Home for the Elderly on Friday. PHOTO: JETJARAS NA RANONG

"We don't think state cash to foster homes will be lower than last year as the grant amount was already at its lowest," said Panita Kampu Na Ayutthaya, director-general of the Department of Social Development and Welfare under the Social Development and Human Security Ministry.

The ministry runs 167 welfare homes across the country, taking care of nearly 20,000 people including children, women, the disabled, homeless, the elderly and those with mental illness.

The biggest drop in donations was in 2008, when total contributions to state foster homes fell almost 80%.

Total donations of cash and non-cash items such as clothes and food jumped from 153.38 million baht in 2006 to 539.92 million in 2007 before falling to 121 million baht in 2008.

Last year, foster homes received 120 million baht in donations, or a 0.45% drop from 2008. The number of donors also shrank around 50% from 2007, to 24,907 people. Ms Panita blamed the economic crisis on the situation.

"The charity situation won't improve if the Thai economy doesn't improve also," she added.

Foster homes in the provinces were affected by dwindling donations more than those in cities. Ms Panita urged donors to specify the name of the foster home they wish to help, so that any donations would be directed to needy homes in remote areas.

Donations are a crucial source of income as the state budget allocated to foster homes is insufficient.

Ms Panita said the department received 691 million baht budget for the 2010 fiscal year. The budget was inadequate to cover the cost of food, clothing, education and healthcare, she added.

For example, the budget for taking care of the elderly is capped at 19,000 baht per head per year whereas the actual expenditure is around 23,500 baht per head per year.

Children in foster homes got only 48 baht per head per day for their three meals, she added.

"Forty-eight baht is even less than the food budget for prisoners, who get 60 baht per head per day," Ms Panita said, adding that her department has asked the government to increase the food budget for foster home children over the past three years, but to no avail.

While state cash and charitable donations to foster homes are on the decline, the number of people entering the premises is on the rise, especially the elderly.

"Each year, almost 300 elderly people are abandoned by their family. This reflects rising family problems in our country," she added.

Private-run foster homes also face similar problems.

"The recession makes it difficult for people to take money out of their pockets for charity," said Pensri Phijaisanit, president of the Association for the Promotion of the Status of Women (APSW), which is under the Royal Patronage of HRH Princess Soamsawali.

The APSW depends largely on donations as financial support from the government covers only 5% of the home's expenditure of around 20 million baht a month.

The APSW is an NGO providing temporary shelter, training and moral support for around 150 children and women who are the victims of rape, prostitution, unwanted pregnancy, abandonment, physical and mental abuse, unemployment and those who are HIV-positive.

The association raises fund by placing donation boxes in public areas and runs a campaign to urge people make birthday merit by offering charity donations.

Those who want to donate can call 02-929-2222 for information.
About the author

columnist
Writer: Lamphai Intathep
Position: Reporter

[DoterrFor]

If you want to succeed in business you need to find a niche with little competition and great demand or potential future growth.
I see no reason why something that is not common now can't grow significantly in demand as peoples attitudes change.
One of Australia's wealthiest families, the Moran family, started the Moran Nursing Home empire back in the days when more families looked after families at home, now that nursing homes are in big demand, they are worth hundreds of millions, I say anything is possible if your cash flow is strong and your management is good,
Good luck.

[h0ldem]

Considering starting up a chain of group homes in Thailand...ones for physiologically disabled people...Thais and farangs alike...also maybe for elderly individuals.

Wondered if anyone had any ideas or feedback...

Thanks in advance.

[cajonnmu]

In most Asian countries you will find that there are not many homes for the elderly as it is traditional for families to look after their own. Times are changing of course but I don't think that you will find many customers in Thailand.