The rapid expansion of residential long-term care services in Bangkok: A challenge for regulation

As in other middle-income countries, Thailand is experiencing accelerating population ageing, with particularly rapid increases in the numbers of people at very old ages. This creates specific challenges related to meeting health and social care needs associated with later life. This paper analyses the nature of residential long-term care (LTC) services in Bangkok and identifies different forms of provision. It also assesses the suitability of current regulatory practices and provides some evidence of service quality. The study applies a multi-method qualitative approach, using the key informant interviews including HSW, PHCW, LGO, NGOs, and DCH, focus groups and documentary evidence to piece together a “map” of available services. Content analysis was carried out for qualitative data. It provides important insights including a very limited supply of residential LTC in Bangkok relative to the rapidly growing demand, scarce financial support to service providers, largely absent or in the early stage of state regulation, and a continued stigmatisation of residential LTC. Future research should focus more on quality of care and encourage family members to provide support and care for older persons in residential facilities, and should consider including a larger sample size and larger areas.