A Personal Story of Caring for My Mother in Phuket – Between Worry and Trust.
Hi, my name is Calvin, and I would like to share my experience with CAREWELL-SERVICE Co. Ltd. and the care of my mother, May.
My mother used to be a very active and vibrant person. She went to the gym regularly, played golf, and had a very social lifestyle. Phuket was always a special place for her, where she spent a lot of time and with which she had a strong connection.
“She was extremely active and always on the go.”
In 2019, everything changed when she suffered a severe stroke in London. This had a major impact—not only physically, but also on her behavior and emotional responses.
“It was a big shock—for her and for us as a family.”
After several months in hospital, including intensive rehabilitation, we decided to arrange care for her at home in the UK. She lived with my sister, supported by two full-time caregivers and daily therapy sessions.
Despite all these efforts, the situation remained very demanding. There were frequent changes in the care team, and it was difficult to establish a stable and long-term solution. At the same time, my mother was not truly happy in that situation, and as a family, it was not easy for us to find an arrangement that worked in the long run.
We therefore started looking for alternatives and decided to bring her to Phuket—a place she knew well and felt connected to. After reviewing different care options in Thailand, we ultimately decided on CAREWELL.
From the very beginning, we had a good feeling—especially because of the number of caregivers and the structured environment.
“What mattered most to me was the caregiver-to-resident ratio.”
My mother had previously stayed at CAREWELL at an earlier stage. At that time, however, she was in a very challenging condition, which made it difficult for her to adapt to a new environment. We therefore decided to try a private care arrangement again for a period of time.
Over a longer period, we organized our own care team. Initially, this seemed to work, but similar challenges soon reappeared. There were again frequent changes in staff, and overall, the situation remained very demanding.
As her condition progressed, things became increasingly complex. With limited communication and growing medical and care needs, it became clear that home care was reaching its limits.
“At some point, we realized that we needed a more reliable and professional solution.”
A key turning point was when her condition worsened further and additional medical attention became necessary. At that stage, it was evident that she required a more structured environment with professional care and medical support.
We therefore made the decision to return to CAREWELL. What made the difference for us was the combination of experienced staff, clear processes, and the reassurance that in case of emergencies, there is always professional support available. That level of reliability gives us, as a family, a much stronger sense of trust.
Today, I try to spend as much time as possible in Phuket so I can visit my mother regularly. I’m very aware of how valuable this time is.
From a family perspective, trust is the most important factor when placing a loved one into care. The fact that we chose to return to CAREWELL clearly shows that we feel she is in good hands there.
“I think these kinds of decisions are always difficult for families.”
Ideally, families would always care for their loved ones at home. In reality, however, that is often not possible. That makes it even more important to have a place like CAREWELL, where you know that good care, clear structure, and reliable support in everyday life are in place.
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