Issue 56

A hybrid of a luxury resort and nursing home, Vivo Bene demonstrates the great potential for elderly healthcare in Thailand.

“Thailand is renowned for its good hospitality at an affordable price. The care that Thai people can give to the elderly is really remarkable,” says Marc H. Dumur, general manager of Vivo Bene Village, which combines a first-class resort set in tranquil countryside with tree-shaded tropical gardens, and a professionally managed wellness centre.

Built in 2012 and officially opened in 2014, the Swiss-owned and managed Vivo Bene is located in Doi Saket in Chiang Mai province. It offers guests the facilities of a resort with professional services dedicated to health, well-being, rest and recreation.

“Our ordinary care ranges from simple help, such as getting dressed, up to 24-hour supervision and assistance,” says Dumur. “Advance care is available for cases requiring more than just physical comfort. This happens when guests need to feel that their caregivers deeply understand the difficulties and the often complex emotions that they may be experiencing.”

According to Dumur, Vivo Bene’s main priority lies in recruiting professional staff. “We select staff or caregivers who possess a natural ability to help others in need,” he says. “Most Thai people have this sense of care. They are able to share, bond, enable, motivate and encourage. We have over 70 staff in total, 50% of which are nurses and medically-qualified permanent staff.” Dumur adds that all areas of the resort are disabled-friendly, wheelchair accessible, safe and secure.

As a Swiss company with a sales office in Switzerland it’s no surprise that Vivo Bene’s main market is in Europe, as well as Thai-based Swiss naturals. “We have more than 2,000 Swiss living in Chiang Mai and 80-90% of them are retired,” he says. “However, it’s quite challenging to bring people from the middle of Switzerland to Thailand so we plan to get into the Asian market as well.”

Dumur believes there is a difference in approach towards the treatment of the elderly in Asia to that in the West. He feels that Asian-style nursing can involve giving patients too much care. “Actually, you need to see that they are adults not kids,” he maintains. “So you should let them do what they can … what they can’t that’s your duty. For example, if they can walk, just let them walk. Don’t put them in a wheelchair as if you’re afraid that they will be too tired if they walk.”

Dumur sees a great potential for nursing homes across the world. “I believe it will grow because we have more elderly people than ever before not only in the western world, but also in Asia as well,” he says.

For more information, please visit www.vivobene.co.th

Words by Natthinee Ratanaprasidhi