About Eldercare in Thailand

While traditional Thai culture holds the elderly in high esteem, modernization and increased economic pressures have made it increasingly difficult for many families to provide care for their oldest members. World Endeavors Eldercare volunteers work at senior centers, nursing homes, or assisted-living centers, helping local staff with daily tasks and spending time with the residents. Volunteers may give English lessons, play games, lead activities, or swap stories with residents. They also assist nursing staff with distributing medicine and seeing to the residents’ needs. Volunteers on this project form unforgettable connections to the elderly residents of Thailand, while helping in facilities that are often understaffed and short on resources.

A Typical Day in the Life of a Volunteer in Thailand

World Endeavors volunteers in Thailand can expect their days to be a combination of meaningful volunteer work, cultural experiences, and free time for relaxation and reflection.  The sample schedule below represents a typical day for a volunteer in Thailand.  Keep in mind that when volunteering abroad, a typical day can be anything but typical!

7:30 am – 8:00 am:  Breakfast with your host family.  Breakfast in Thailand consists of porridge or boiled rice, local dumplings or fried flour, rice with curry, or bread with jam and tea or coffee.

8:00 am: Travel to your volunteer placement.

9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Work at volunteer placement.

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Grab lunch at one of the affordable restaurants in the volunteer project area.

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Work at volunteer placement.

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Thai language course.

5:00 pm – 7:30 pm: Enjoy free time by hanging out with new friends, visiting the internet café, riding a bike around the city, taking a Thai cooking class, or exploring Bangkok’s beautiful temples, museums, parks, flower markets, or Yaowarat (Chinatown).

7:30 pm – 8:30 pm: Dinner with your host family.  Dinners in Bangkok often include rice, curry, and a fried vegetable.

8:30 pm – 10:00 pm: Relax at home, practice your Thai with your host family, read a book, prepare for the next day’s volunteering, or plan a weekend excursion to visit some of Thailand’s many palaces, temples, floating markets, beaches, and national parks.

Project and class schedules, meals, and free time activities may vary depending on the details of your placement.

Eligibility

Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. Successful volunteers are hardworking, flexible, and open to truly immersing themselves in Thai culture.