Personal account by Marino Marini – son of Angelo | July 2026
A personal account of dementia care in Thailand, quality of life, and almost ten years of trust.
When the existing care was no longer adequate for my father
When my father Angelo developed dementia, we wanted to find the best possible care for him. Therefore, we initially opted for a specialized nursing home for people with dementia in the canton of Solothurn, where he was cared for for almost six months.
Looking back, this time was stressful for my father and our whole family.
My father spent most of his time in a locked room with other patients for safety reasons. Walks in the garden were possible, but usually only lasted ten to fifteen minutes and took place only once a day. They were accompanied by a nurse who was only available for a short time.
With each visit, it became clearer to me that this form of care was no longer what we wanted for my father.
I started looking for an alternative. Not another nursing home, but a place where my father, despite his dementia, would not only be cared for but truly supported – a place where he could experience a better quality of life again.
“For me, what mattered was not where my father was cared for – but how he was allowed to live each and every day.”
The first impression changed everything.
In December 2016, I brought my father to Phuket in Thailand – hoping to find care there that would meet his needs.
After the over ten-hour direct flight from Zurich to Phuket, we were warmly greeted at the airport by a care professional from Carewell Service. Together we traveled to Rawai in a private minibus.
Even on the way there, I had a feeling that something different awaited us. This feeling was confirmed just a few minutes after our arrival.
It was the calm atmosphere, the friendliness of the team, and the respectful treatment of the residents that convinced me from the very first moment. After just a few minutes, I had the impression that the team took time for each and every resident.
My father was then escorted to his room. Only later did I notice that it even had a small private pool. However, what mattered most to me was something else: the way people were treated here.
"As soon as I arrived, it became clear to me that Carewell is not an ordinary nursing home."
A daily routine that did my father good.
It soon became clear why Carewell differed from my previous experiences. My father's daily life no longer consisted solely of caregiving – it was varied, active, and focused on the individual.
A crucial difference for me was the exceptionally high staff-to-resident ratio. With more than one qualified nurse per resident providing daily care and support, there was ample time for each individual. This was truly noticeable in every aspect of daily life.
Massages, physiotherapy, swimming in the pool, walks, and ball games were all part of the program, as were playing music and singing together. Regular excursions to various beaches in Phuket were organized. There, the group barbecued together, spent time with one another, or simply enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere by the sea.
Visits to botanical gardens, zoos, tourist attractions, or shared restaurant visits also provided welcome variety.
What impressed me most was that all these activities weren't simply for busywork. They were an integral part of everyday life and allowed my father exercise, social interaction, and valuable shared experiences.
"For the first time, I had the feeling that my father's everyday life revolved around life again – and not just around his illness."
More time instead of more medication
Over time, I noticed another change that deeply impressed me. The medications my father had been prescribed in Switzerland could be gradually reduced and eventually discontinued entirely at Carewell. This was made possible by the intensive 24-hour care, the personal attention, and the active involvement in daily life.
For me, this was a completely new approach to the care and support of people with dementia. Instead of trying to solve as many problems as possible with medication, the focus was on time, patience, and individual support for each resident.
I was equally impressed by the attitude of the entire team. Every resident was treated with respect, patience, and genuine appreciation. This attitude wasn't just palpable—it was lived every day. At the same time, the nursing and therapy team, under the leadership of Anita Somaini, received regular training and professional development. This high standard of quality was also clearly evident in their daily work.
"Only at Carewell did I experience what is possible with time, patience and genuine care."
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Anita Somaini for this sensitive and individualized form of care. Her experience and dedication contributed significantly to ensuring that my father could be cared for with as little medication as possible and with all the more personal attention.
Almost ten years full of memories that still stay with us today.
Even after my father moved from Switzerland to Thailand, close contact with his family remained an important part of his life. For almost ten years, we were in contact every week via video call. At least once a year, I traveled to Thailand for one or two weeks to visit my father and spend as much time with him as possible.
Even when my father later became wheelchair-bound, we were still able to enjoy many shared experiences thanks to the support of the care team. Together with a caregiver, we took day trips to different beaches, went boating to the nearby islands, or simply enjoyed spending time together by the sea. These moments were incredibly precious to us as a family.
The sense of community at Carewell also impressed me. Residents' birthdays, European holidays, and local festivals were celebrated together. I particularly cherish the memories of the Christmas celebrations. Family members came together, shared their experiences, and offered each other encouragement. Knowing they weren't alone with their worries and challenges gave many families strength.
"The many shared memories with my father still mean an incredible amount to me ."
A decision I have never regretted.
Looking back on those years at Carewell, I know that the decision we made back then was the right one. Not because everything was perfect, but because my father received exactly the care we had hoped for him – compassionate, professional, and with plenty of time for each individual.
The many shared experiences, our visits, and the trust that developed over all these years will stay with me for the rest of my life. That's why I've never regretted the decision to bring my father to Thailand – quite the opposite. I remain grateful to this day that I took that path.
Last but not least, we were also impressed by the value for money. Such intensive care and support with this exceptionally high staff-to-patient ratio and this level of individual attention would hardly be possible in Europe.
"It was only at Carewell that I experienced how much quality of life was still possible for my father despite dementia. I am still grateful for that today."
Are you facing a similar decision?
We would like to sincerely thank Swiss Helping Point for the opportunity to share this personal experience report with you.
Deciding on the appropriate care for a loved one is one of the most difficult decisions one can make.
Every situation is different. That's why we take the time to understand your situation, work with you to find the best solution, and support you in your decision.
Whether short-term or long-term stay – in a personal and non-binding consultation we will answer your questions and inform you about the possibilities of individual care, support and rehabilitation at Carewell Service.
Learn more about our care concept or contact us for a personal and non-binding consultation.
Your contact person
Anita Somaini
Swiss owner & managing director
+ 66 ( 0 ) 82 717 92 75
anita.somaini@carewell-service.com
Carewell-Service Co., Ltd.
Sino Rawai Resort
25 / 101 Moo 1, Soi Sowsod,
T. Rawai, A. Muang Phuket 83130,
Thailand
Additional information
- Carewell Service – Individual care, support and rehabilitation in Thailand
https://www.carewell-service.com/ - Learn more about Carewell Service at Swiss Helping Point https://www.swisshelpingpoint.com/carewell/
Editorial note
This testimonial is based on the personal experiences of Marino Marini. The text was written by Andrea Somaini, studio*shape (studioshape.onlineBased on his personal notes, this text has been linguistically and editorially revised for publication. The content was reviewed and approved for publication by Marino Marini. This personal testimony is dedicated to the memory of Angelo Marini.
