Chersery Home introduces a new model to develop a comprehensive elderly care business.

In 2035, Thailand will experience a significant increase in its elderly population, with more than 30% of the population aged 60 and above. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for Thailand to create a robust system to support the elderly, including healthcare services, home care, nursing homes, elderly hospitals, and skilled personnel to care for complex cases. It will also require infrastructure to accommodate international seniors who wish to reside in Thailand long-term.

Countries that have already entered an aging society, such as the United States, Japan, and Finland, are now facing economic challenges due to the growing number of elderly people, which contrasts with the decreasing birth rate and shrinking workforce. Many countries with successful models in the past are now encountering difficulties.

Dr. Gengpong Tangaroonsanti, Director of the Chersery Home International Elderly Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, CEO & Founder of KPN Senior Hospital Ltd., and President of the Thai Senior Healthcare and Services Trade Association (SHSTA), who was inspired by the care of his own 105-year-old grandmother, shared in an interview with Bangkok Business that Thailand faces several challenges. One of these is the rapidly increasing number of elderly people, surpassing the rate of Singapore. By 2035, Thailand will become a society with a significantly aging population, and without preparation, the country will face problems across the healthcare system, economy, and politics.

"However, Thailand has advantages in its healthcare system, such as the Universal Coverage Scheme (Gold Card), which enables access to healthcare services. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Thailand managed to care for elderly cases effectively. Additionally, Thailand can learn from international experiences, such as home-based elderly care and the Village Health Volunteer (VHVs) system, which should be promoted as Thailand's strength for the future," said Dr. Gengpong.

Enhancing the Standard of Nursing Homes

As the President of the Senior Healthcare Service and Trade Association of Thailand, overseeing more than 450 nursing homes nationwide, we have been actively collaborating with government agencies such as the Department of Health Service Support (HSS) under the Ministry of Public Health. This partnership plays a crucial role in supporting long-term care (LTC) services for elderly individuals with dependency needs.

In 2021, the Department of Health Service Support (HSS) established three key standards for elderly care facilities: safety, infrastructure, and service quality. These standards were designed to help operators enhance service quality and accommodate approximately 20% of seniors who require specialized care—whether in general elderly care centers, rehabilitation-focused facilities, or geriatric hospitals.

Additionally, businesses related to elderly care, treatment, therapy, and rehabilitation have been actively supported through investment promotion by the Board of Investment (BOI), strengthening the private sector’s role in senior healthcare.

"As an association, we have been actively encouraging operators to enhance their services by leveraging technology in medical management, data systems, and sourcing cost-effective medical supplies. This includes essential items such as adult diapers and specialized medical equipment, ultimately benefiting both care providers and the elderly receiving these services," said Dr. Gengpong.

Enhancing the Homecare System

Thailand, home to approximately 14 million elderly individuals, faces an increasing demand for complex senior care, with around 10% (over 1 million people) requiring specialized support. Over half of them reside in major cities, and approximately 500,000 seniors need close, professional care. The largest segment within this demand is Homecare, where families seek caregivers to provide in-home assistance. However, a significant challenge remains—the lack of trained caregivers, which poses risks for patients with complex medical conditions, such as post-cardiac surgery, orthopedic procedures, dementia, or terminal cancer. Without specialized care, these patients may face complications and reduced quality of life.

There are four key groups requiring specialized Homecare services

• Post-surgical patients needing rehabilitation.
• Dementia and Alzheimer’s patients requiring cognitive and daily living support.
  
• Stroke survivors dealing with paralysis or mobility issues.
  
• Palliative care patients wishing to spend their final days comfortably at home.

Beyond upgrading senior care centers, the development of professional caregivers is a key priority. The Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, has been responsible for establishing regulations, selection criteria, and background checks, including criminal record verification and professional history assessments, ensuring that caregivers meet the highest standards of practice. This guarantees that patients receive safe, high-quality care.

At the same time, the Senior Healthcare Trade and Service Association is actively working to align caregiver training frameworks with international standards, while adapting them to Thailand’s social and healthcare system. A key focus is integrating Homecare services with the Universal Health Coverage (30-baht scheme) and the Village Health Volunteer (VHV) network, ensuring affordable, high-quality care without excessive financial burden on patients.

Post-COVID-19: Unlocking Opportunities in Senior Care and Wellness Tourism

Since Thailand emerged from the COVID-19 crisis in 2023, the country has reopened and eased restrictions, paving the way for new opportunities in tourism, long-term stays, and wellness. Thailand has consistently ranked among the Top 10 global destinations for wellness, further strengthening its position as a leading hub for holistic healthcare.

Dr. Gengpong believes that enhancing senior care standards and upskilling Thai caregivers will play a crucial role in attracting high-spending long-term visitors, who typically stay for 3 to 6 months. This, in turn, will drive growth in related industries, including healthcare, wellness tourism, and the food and hospitality sectors, while also creating job opportunities for professional caregivers specializing in home-based and bedridden elderly care.

Chersery Home Comprehensive Senior Care Solutions

Over the past eight years, Chersery Home, under the leadership of Dr. Kengphong, has been dedicated to achieving its vision of a "100-Year Happy Living Solution for Seniors." Guided by the motto, "Express love for seniors… Trust us to care," Chersery Home has experienced continuous growth. From its humble beginnings with just 10 beds in its first year, it has now expanded to over 200 beds across multiple locations, including Chersery Home Senior Hospital (Charan 13 branch), The Senizens (Ratchaphruek-Bang Waek branch), and Bang Bon branch. With an occupancy rate of 80%, including 15% international residents, Chersery Home provides comprehensive care for four key patient groups

• Post-surgical recovery
  
• Dementia & Alzheimer’s care
  
• Stroke rehabilitation
  
• Palliative care

The institution offers a fully integrated ecosystem covering senior hospitals, nursing homes, home care services, food innovation, and a healthcare data management platform.

Looking ahead, Chersery Home plans to expand its palliative care services in response to increasing life expectancy, driven by advancements in medical technology. With longevity comes the need for more specialized caregiving skills. For example, certain chemotherapy drugs impact immune function, requiring a well-rounded approach that includes tailored nutrition and exercise programs. As caregiving becomes more complex, caregivers must have a deep understanding of the disease, medical treatment plans, and the key factors that contribute to a patient's well-being.

Expansion Plan: 10 New Branches in 3 Years, Nationwide Growth

Chersery Home continues to expand its services, recently launching "Harmoni Homecare," a comprehensive home-based elderly care service. This initiative goes beyond simply providing caregivers, nurses, and nursing assistants—it also integrates in-home physical therapy, medical history assessments, and medication management without requiring family members to transport patients to the hospital. Additionally, Telemedicine consultations with physicians, recreational activities led by multidisciplinary professionals, and rehabilitation networks under Chersery Home have been introduced. Within just five months, the program has onboarded 120 caregivers and served approximately 100 families, with an ambitious goal to reach 1,000 families within three years.

To further enhance post-hospital recovery care, Chersery Home has partnered with Muang Thai Life Assurance and Generali to provide patients with a safe, healing environment in green spaces that reduce infection risks and allow more frequent family visits. These facilities offer rehabilitation programs, integrated insurance coverage, and a high-standard safety framework, addressing the long-term needs of Thailand’s aging society.

Growth Strategy (2023–2025): Expansion & Franchise Development

Looking ahead, Dr. Kengphong has set a three-year expansion plan, targeting 10 new branches to support Thailand’s "100-Year Society." Additionally, the "Baan Thammachart" franchise model will be introduced in both Bangkok and provincial areas, making quality elderly care more accessible.

Chersery Home aims to expand beyond being a specialized elderly hospital operator by establishing other medical and related businesses, including:

• Physical rehabilitation hospitals

• Palliative and end-of-life care facilities

• Specialized centers for dementia care

• Stroke rehabilitation centers

• Daycare centers in key urban areas

Each center will cater to all four major patient groups while incorporating unique specialized services tailored to specific community needs.

Developing a Skilled Healthcare Workforce

Recognizing that quality caregiving requires time and expertise, Chersery Home is committed to building a highly trained workforce through partnerships with nearly 10 academic institutions, including universities and caregiving schools.

Trainees will have access to practical, hands-on experience at over eight affiliated centers across Bangkok before completing their studies. Upon graduation, they will have the opportunity to work at Chersery Home centers or provide home-based care.

To ensure professional security and high-quality service, Chersery Home has implemented

• A structured home visit monitoring system
• Transparent employment contracts
• Clearly defined job responsibilities

• Timely salary payments

• Internationally recognized management standards (AACI Standard for Homecare)

By integrating comprehensive healthcare services and workforce development, Chersery Home is shaping the future of elderly care in Thailand, making quality aging-in-place solutions more accessible and sustainable.

In the next three years (2023–2025), Dr. Gengphong revealed plans to expand Chersery Home by opening 10 new branches to accommodate the opportunities presented by Thailand's "100-Year Society." Additionally, Chersery Home will develop the "Baan Thammachart" franchise model, making quality care accessible at affordable prices in both Bangkok and provincial areas.

Chersery Home will not only continue as an expert elderly care operator but will also expand into other specialized healthcare sectors, including:

• Physical rehabilitation hospitals
• Palliative and end-of-life care hospitals
• Specialized dementia care centers
• Stroke rehabilitation centers
• Daycare centers
  

These centers will be strategically located to serve all four major elderly care groups and may offer specialized services unique to each facility.

Simultaneously, Chersery Home emphasizes the importance of developing a highly skilled workforce, which requires time and dedication. Chersery Home plans to collaborate with nearly 10 academic institutions, including universities and caregiving schools, to establish internationally recognized standards for caregiving professionals.

The program will offer students the opportunity to complete their internships at over 8 Chersery Home centers in Bangkok after finishing their theoretical studies. Upon graduation, they can choose to work at Chersery Home centers or provide home care services.

To ensure quality service and job security, Chersery Home will offer

• A home visit tracking system for family peace of mind
• Transparent employment contracts with clear job scopes
• Timely salary payments
• Internationally recognized management standards (AACI Standard for Homecare)

This comprehensive approach will help shape the future of elderly care in Thailand, ensuring sustainable, high-quality care for the aging population.
 

In addition, Chersery Home is also expanding into the elderly food market with products like "Amama Pudding". After three years of development, this product is designed to cater to patients in hospitals who may grow tired of fruit but still crave something sweet. It is especially suitable for individuals with dental issues who need to rely on their gums for chewing. The pudding is available in five flavors, including green tea, Thai tea, chocolate, black sesame, and strawberry, as well as prebiotic and probiotic foods.

Furthermore, Chersery Home has collaborated on research with the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University to improve the quality of these products. Looking ahead, the company plans to develop a "Smart Tech Platform" for home care, which will involve collecting long-term health data such as basic health information, dietary intake, weight, and muscle mass. This platform will enable doctors to continuously monitor patients' health and provide tailored care.