Center for Healthy Aging in Bangkok, Thailand

The march of time is never ceasing. Progress, invention, as time marches on, the human race continues to push the boundaries of knowledge and innovation. The planet, and the people dwelling upon it have benefited, and been hindered, by the changes that the passing of time has laid upon us.

Each of us is personally affected by the passing of time as we age. From infancy, time allows us to grow, develop and learn at a giddy rate of change. But that curve of change eventually reaches its peak, and from then on, we enter a downward curve towards our nadir.

As we age our mind and body functions decline, it is an unavoidable consequence of time’s relentless march. The best we can do is manage and minimize the effects that aging has upon us. But to do that effectively requires specific, expert knowledge, knowledge that most of us do not possess. 

Imagine a perfect world where, as you age, you have your own personal health manager. One that is supported by all manner of other health experts practicing in all areas of health care. This is not so unimaginable. At the Center for Healthy Aging in Bangkok your own personal health manager is there to assist, advise and treat all health issues associated with aging.

The Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital established the Center for Healthy Aging as a facility dedicated to maximizing the health and quality of life for all seniors. The elderly face unique health care issues which require specific medical skills. At the center, a team of experts, highly trained in the field of geriatrics, has been assembled, with the sole objective to make the passing of time a healthy and enjoyable part of life. 

Health Services to Senior Citizens

Potentially, seniors face unique physiological health problems. They are also more vulnerable to, otherwise, common, and easily treatable health conditions. With this in mind, a detailed health assessment is essential to ascertain each client’s overall health status. This is the first step towards a healthy and fulfilling life.

No two individuals are the same, and each health assessment will uniquely highlight an individual’s areas of health concern. Understanding the individuality of each client enables the skilled team of specialists to plan and enact a targeted and tailored health plan that is perfectly suited to each person.

As part of the initial health assessment, along with the client’s general health condition, hearing and eyesight will be carefully appraised. As will memory and cognitive ability, any history or risk of depression will be explored, along with balance and the risk of falling. Tolerance, or intolerance, to medication will be assessed along with general mental wellbeing. Diet and self-care will, very importantly, also be investigated as part of the detailed health assessment.

Senior Citizen Health Consultation

Following the detailed health appraisal the client will undertake a consultation with a qualified specialist. Many senior citizens take medication on a regular basis, some in considerable amounts. And, in some cases there may be issues with being able to take the medication, and possibly the efficacy of the drugs.

The consultant will offer advice on the taking of drugs, and the possible side effects of any currently prescribed medication, and for that which might be required in the future. Where, and if, appropriate the consultant will suggest alternatives to current medication that the client is taking. 

Advice will also be imparted on tackling mobility issues, which are common in the elderly, to varying degrees. With impaired mobility comes the risk of falling, which can be shaken off by the young, but not so for the elderly. If an elderly person has a fall, it can have drastic consequences and be a serious health risk.

Some senior citizens have complex health issues, or multimorbidity. This may include diabetes, hearing or sight loss, sensory impairment, mobility issues, dementia, and even substance abuse. In cases where clients have multi-faceted health issues, the skills and knowledge of the multi-disciplined team at the Center for Healthy Aging coordinate to ensure that the advice and guidance given is not only appropriate, but also the best available.

Elderly vaccinations are an important part of geriatric healthcare. At the center, all senior citizens will be advised on appropriate vaccinations based on their unique circumstances. Some of these will be seasonal, at other times clients may be advised to undergo vaccination as a response to topical changes in a health risk.

Boredom can be a real problem for seniors. It can affect their mental and physical health. With boredom, dietary needs and disciplines often fall by the wayside. This can cause weight gain, or weight loss, either of which can pose a risk to health. At the center, expert therapists can advise and guide seniors on how to avoid boredom during their dotage.

Coordinating Health Care

Comprehensive and effective health care for seniors requires a broad church of medical expertise, which can be found at the center. But with a large multi-skilled team the ability to coordinate the necessary medical skills into one coherently functioning unit is, in itself, a skill. The center has tweaked this essential part of senior health care.

From transportation to and from the center to advice and guidance, from medication to physiotherapy and surgery to rehabilitation, the seamless continuity of care minimizes the stress on the client, family, and caregivers. This aids in recovery from any accident or trauma a senior citizen may suffer and improves the overall wellbeing of those that are simply experiencing the effects of aging.

Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital’s Center for Healthy Aging in Bangkok is now recognized as a world leader in improving the lives of an ever-increasing number of senior citizens. The center’s clients are not only from the Indigenous population, but the center is also now advising and treating a growing number of foreign expats residing in the kingdom.

Additionally, foreign travelers are now seeking the advice, guidance, and treatment from the center’s world class team as health tourists. More and more people from across the world are recognizing the value of having a personal health manager to guide them through the aging process, allowing them to enjoy their dotage to the full.

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