Travelling support for the Aged, a lot of help

[leadman]

I've mentioned a number of times in posts here over the years one of strengths of travelling for me was dad and mum's many trips to Thailand (100 +) when we were growing up and travel/asia/people etc, just became the family norm.

Unfortunately they have reached that time in life that its become all but impossible for them to go back due to age, health and family resistance. But that has not stopped them pestering me as at the moment as I'm in Thailand working and they are begging me to work out a way. They cannot stay with me as I'm upcountry living in a factory dorm, but they want to do their old routine of 2 weeks Chiang Mai and 2 weeks Bangkok. Mums routine is very boring, but to be blunt, it has been her only escape after my brothers suicide 26 years ago and it is a huge driver.

Its getting to the point where you can take scenes from The Bucket List, Don Quixote and other movies and role them into this story, to a point i will have to smuggle them to the airport without the rest of the family knowing!!!!

I'm not after the Dorothy Dix's; fly J class, good hotels etc, more has anybody come across a group/company that looks after the aged, similar to a chaperone? They certainly don't need a guide as they probably know the area better? i have spoken to many of my Thai colleagues but they have not heard of any service or company.

Thoughts appreciated to calm the oldies!!

 

[drron]

We have only used a guide in Bangkok but she was great.may help out with their time in Bangkok as she only does tours in Bangkok though she uded to take Finnish groups around-partly educated in Finland.

CONTACT ME | Privatetourthailand.com

privatetourthailand.com

We have used a couple of transportation services driving down to Pattaya and getting to Khao Lak as well as a 3 day tour around Mae Hong son.A few years ago but that cost us 1900 baht for van,driver and guide.
Also used a service in Chiang Mai to take us to the Queen mother's garden-didn't turn out too well.But their were a few companies to choose from.

Now these aren't outfits that specialise in disabled travel but Gift and the fellow from Mae Hong Son were delightful people and I would think would easily handle such requests.May have to pay for an extra helper if truly difficult getting in and out of a minivan which i guess would be needed for maybe wheel chairs.

But this one came up when I googled private guides in Chiang Mai and may be useful.They are also available in Bangkok.So may be worth considering.

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[docjames]

I'm not after the Dorothy Dix's; fly J class, good hotels etc, more has anybody come across a group/company that looks after the aged, similar to a chaperone?

But isn’t that the obvious solution? Paying for a more premium experience allows this.


The other option would be to get a trusted friend/carer/relative to undertake the journey with them (in Y) to be a “facilitator” and deal with all the “travel” stuff (transfers, passports/ground activities etc). Even if it was “fly with them then turn around and fly home” once safely “delivered” to their intended location.


I think we’d need a better understanding of their true level of function (mobility, cognitive, capacity to deal with change/unexpected events etc) to give more meaningful advice.

Depending on how much of any travel-retisence is medical, a discussion with their GP would potentially be useful (to factor in any medical considerations).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Drron is on the money. It's possibly about finding a private guide who can spend nights away, if necessary, to accompany your parents. in addition to the link above, it might also be a case of reading tripadvisor for some recommendations. Generally for overnights (or longer) you pay the daily rate + hotel + food for the guide. It can actually work out pretty reasonably.

Other small things include meet and greet services at Bangkok where a representative will meet your parents at the jetbridge, have a buggy to take them to immigration, go through fast-track (available for anyone over 65?), collect their bags and put them into a car for their hotel. last time I used the service it was about $150 for two pax.

 

[Denali]

For airport departure, transit, arrivals ect, Ive used Pearl Assist and thought they were worth the money.

 

[Antoallison]

I did see an advert once in a local magazine for the Irish Association, asking for non-medical staff person to accompany a gentleman to Ireland, then deliver him to family for a short holiday.

They were then free to do their own thing for 2 weeks until time to collect and accompany him back to Australia. Airfare was paid.

Perhaps putting a similar request in a Thai community newsletter ?
Or contacting a care agency in Thailand, as it would be too expensive to employ someone from Australia for that length of time.

 

[leadman]

Thanks to all of the comments, but i think my job is now to convince them their travelling days are over. Going to be hard because it was a huge feature of their life, at least 3 trips per year for 45 years.

Just to answer some of the above; for the past five years J class has been standard, picked up at gate, through customs and delivered the other side to AOT to be driven to hotel. Visa versa on the way back. Hotels are all quiet good service and go out of their way to look after them.

Numerous family and friends have escorted them during those years, but all are sick and tired of spending countless hours in shopping centres or Black Canyon coffee house. (mum spent at least 1 to 2 hours per day in Big C!!!!!!) Lastly, mum through a fit when I told her I asked this question/query here telling me she doesn't need care and she is fine. I just don't think there is that right fit what is needed to babysit the stubborn elderly.

Sadly, time to draw their travelling innings to a close.

 

[Denali]

Sad to read their travelling days might be over.

When we were in Cambodia we rented a villa with staff, driver ect. I know for extra $ I could have gotten a paid babysitter person friday to assist me with anything I wanted. Hell, I coud have had one of them hold an umbrella over my head if I wanted it. So maybe look at a smaller/not the big 5 hotel chain accommodation that have staff on hand that you can arrange something.

 

[Happy Trails]

... go through fast-track (available for anyone over 65?)

Just for the record, it's over 70 at BKK.

 

[Hvr]

Sadly, time to draw their travelling innings to a close.

I doubt you can force them. It may need them to experience a hard and uncomfortable trip to realise they can no longer travel as they used to. Or maybe even two trips to understand that the first failed trip wasn't an outlier but will now be the norm given their health.

What will they do when they can no longer travel? Travel has obviously been a huge part of their lives and it will be very hard for them to find a new activity and social circles to join and participate.

 

[leadman]

That is the challenge Hvr and I've got no solution yet. And they get very frustrated when i call to see how they are from here in Thailand.