Swiss Man Finds Alzheimer's Care in Thailand

In 2002, Martin Woodtli made the profound decision to move his mother, who had Alzheimer's, from Switzerland to Thailand. Witnessing the emotional and physical toll on his father, who later died by suicide, Woodtli sought a more supportive environment. Dissatisfied with institutional care in Switzerland, he returned to Chiang Mai, a city where he had previously lived.

Woodtli established Baan Kamlangchay, a dementia care home in Chiang Mai, using inheritance from his father. The facility, which began attracting international interest after a 2003 documentary, offers care at a fraction of Western costs. Monthly fees start around $2,900, encompassing lodging, 24/7 care, and meals.

Unlike traditional Western facilities, Baan Kamlangchay spreads residents across eight houses in a residential neighborhood, promoting interaction with locals. This model aims to normalize daily life, offering guests a sense of independence and connection. Caregivers form close bonds with each resident, providing personalized support.

The approach has resonated with families, like Anke Blomberg, whose mother has resided there for eight years. She found the environment less impersonal than German facilities. Woodtli considers the time residents spend at Baan Kamlangchay their "last holiday," a sentiment that mirrors his own experience as his mother lived there until her death in 2006.