“The Aspen Tree The Forestias” is a residential community based on the concept of Aging-in-Place for individuals aged 50 and above, allowing them to live happily, freely, and safely in their own homes. This project is part of the “City in the Forest, Forest in the City: The Forestias” development located on Bangna-Trad Road, km 7, covering an area of 398 rai, with over 56% of the project dedicated to green spaces. The Aspen Tree is developed on a 23 rai plot, featuring only 290 residential units amidst lush green nature, along with comprehensive health care and quality of life services.

The Aspen Tree is not just a residential project; it is a “Health Care Community for Lifelong Care” and a complete society for independent living. Located within The Forestias, which offers diverse housing options for all generations, it fosters warm relationships among family members. Residents of The Aspen Tree will not feel isolated as they live alongside a multi-generational community, participating in various activities organized within the project while still enjoying private spaces in a relaxing atmosphere, surrounded by large green areas that harmonize with the essential elements of health care for those aged 50 and above.

Ms. Tippaporn Ariyaworarom, founder of Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited (MQDC), shared the inspiration and concept behind The Aspen Tree project: “33 years ago, before establishing MQDC, my father entrusted me with the care of orphans and underprivileged children, leading to the founding of the Phuttharaksa Foundation. Over the years, we created a business to support these children, providing them with food, shelter, and education. However, we could not offer them the love, warmth, hugs, and smiles each child deserves.”

“Twenty years ago, I envisioned a project where children and the elderly could live together, with two adults caring for five children and two seniors, creating a family system and community with a warm culture. This would provide children lacking love with siblings, parents, and grandparents. I began researching how to implement such a project and how to find a financial model that would ensure sustainable income, establishing it as a social enterprise.”

“In 2008, we organized a social enterprise model competition across Thailand, and the winning team named their project ‘Baan Boon Tham.’ As I delved deeper into the concept, I realized that lifelong care for the elderly is not easy, unlike children who can grow independently after reaching a certain age.”

“Ultimately, I concluded that to successfully create the ‘Baan Boon Tham’ project, we should start by establishing a senior living facility as a business. This way, we would need knowledge, systems, and experts to ensure safe and profitable care for the elderly, allowing us to sustainably expand into social enterprise.”

“When I began conceptualizing The Forestias project, focusing on connecting four generations and helping people reconnect with nature, I decided to initiate The Aspen Tree project here. I invited the world-renowned expert Baycrest from Canada to help establish a quality system for elderly care, with a long-term goal of expanding into the middle and lower markets, ultimately linking back to orphans and realizing the ‘Baan Boon Tham’ project.”

In terms of health care, The Aspen Tree has partnered with Baycrest Global Solutions, a leading organization from Canada with over 105 years of experience, to create a new standard for health in retirement communities in Thailand. The project offers full services in three areas:

  • Three main facilities: Residences, Wellness Center, and Health & Brain Center.
  • A residential project under the international Aging-in-Place concept, providing comprehensive health and quality of life services.
  • Managed by Baycrest Global Solutions, a global leader in elderly care innovation and brain health with over 105 years of experience.

Dr. William Rice, CEO and Chair of Baycrest added, “The management of The Aspen Tree project by Baycrest, as a leader in developing health care innovations and quality of life for the elderly, has transferred knowledge and innovations from research and leveraged over a century of experience to support the work of personnel in Thailand, ensuring that the elderly receive care that meets international standards while living freely and safely at The Aspen Tree.”

Baycrest is recognized as a global leader in elderly care and brain health innovation, as well as research to develop new technologies, with over 105 years of experience. Baycrest has received the highest accreditation from Accreditation Canada and is a leading organization in the industry that drives safety standards and elderly care. It has been a key partner in researching preventive science and geriatrics for many years, bringing its innovative health assessment tools, such as Cogniciti, developed by the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation, to address cognitive decline and preventive measures for brain diseases commonly affecting the population aged 50 and above, into The Aspen Tree project.

“As Baycrest hosts the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI), supported by Baycrest and the Baycrest Academy for Research and Education (BARE), and the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging, it serves as a hub connecting scientists across Canada to research dementia. Additionally, Baycrest collaborates with the University of Toronto to provide comprehensive training programs for personnel, aiming to develop the global elderly care industry in the future, with training already conducted in over 40 countries,” Mr. William stated.

 

Dr. Uairat Sirivatanavetchakul, Medical Director of The Aspen Tree stated that the Health & Brain Center was established through collaboration with the first scientific happiness research center in Asia, focusing on in-depth research to uncover the secrets of brain function, particularly to identify factors that contribute to human happiness. This new knowledge aims to be developed into innovations that enhance the quality of life for the population, especially those aged 50 and above. The innovations from the scientific happiness research center are being utilized in The Aspen Tree project for the first time to create sustainable happiness for both body and mind.

Support is provided through the Science of Happiness Hub, which studies the behavior and psychology of people of all ages and researches human perception through brain signals and scientific tools to foster positive emotions and mental well-being, as well as to understand various declines in the elderly and find ways to reduce the risk of diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s, promoting factors that enable individuals at every age to live happily. Specialized medical services require expertise and professional caregivers trained to international standards, with activities designed based on holistic health science principles that align with the lifestyles of elderly individuals.

Service users will receive care from a diverse team of specialists, including physicians, therapists, and Care Angels, providing world-class care standards that encompass all aspects, from assessment and treatment to managing various conditions related to the elderly, effectively addressing health issues. Services include basic health care consultations, life planning, pain management clinics, memory care, balance and bone health, sleep health, nutritionists and personalized meal planning, nail and wound care, and incontinence and hygiene management.

Currently, HBC operates a day center for the elderly (Aspen Day Center), providing health care, promoting physical activities, brain training activities, recreational activities, and social activities led by a team of experts including doctors, nurses, nutritionists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, recreational therapists, and Care Angels, enhancing the quality of life for the elderly and assisting them during times when their children are at work, alleviating concerns for their children while ensuring the elderly are happy in the care of the center.

Ms. Nobkela Trakulpan, Executive Director of The Aspen Tree added, “The Aspen Tree and Baycrest prioritize and pay attention to every detail, aligning with Baycrest’s extensive knowledge and experience of over 105 years, which strengthens the management and care of independent living in all dimensions, aiming for residents to experience the value of meaningful living at The Aspen Tree every day.”

“We have carefully selected every element to ensure residents can live their lives to the fullest. Each unit is designed under the Aging-In-Place & Universal Design concept, accommodating and adapting to all living needs, enabling residents to live conveniently, safely, and with quality. For instance, the design of bathroom spaces and the selection of furniture cater specifically to this age group, with level-free flooring to prevent falls, non-slip surfaces, and shock-absorbing materials, appropriate lighting and air quality, motion sensor systems with automatic night lights, and 24-hour security systems, including staff and CCTV, as well as emergency buttons in the main bedroom and bathroom for immediate assistance,” Ms. Nobkela stated.

The residential project is divided into two main types: Active Living Condominiums with 250 units sized 82–120 sq.m. and Sky Villa Residences with 40 units sized 183–201 sq.m. Both types are designed for long-term living.

In terms of interior design, the common areas are filled with meaning and unique value, incorporating symbols of flowers and butterflies, representing color, freedom, and the revival of dreams, making The Aspen Tree a distinctive home and community for residents that fulfills happiness. Everyone will enjoy good health, safety, and freedom, with comprehensive facilities within the project.

Starting with the Wellness Clubhouse, covering over 6,000 sq.m., supporting activities that enhance quality of life in physical, mental, and social aspects, such as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, fitness and yoga studios, a modern technology golf simulator, reading corners, cafes and bakeries, Aspen Lounge, art and craft activity rooms, spas and beauty salons, karaoke rooms, mini theaters, restaurants, and private dining rooms, as well as outdoor spaces like Canopy Walk, therapeutic gardens, and Glasshouses that harmoniously integrate living with nature.

Another key aspect of the project is the Health & Brain Center (HBC), a specialized health center for the elderly, fully equipped with geriatrics clinics, physical therapy centers, brain and memory clinics, day health care centers, short-term rehabilitation centers, and long-term elderly care services for those requiring close supervision, all managed by Baycrest from Canada, a global expert in elderly care.

 

Additionally, there are supplementary services to enhance quality of life, such as weekly cleaning services, breakfast services at GoodWell Restaurant, and 24-hour emergency services, all reflecting The Aspen Tree's commitment to ensuring residents enjoy a quality retirement life filled with happiness and peace of mind.

Recently, The Aspen Tree received the world-class standard AACI for the second year (American Accreditation Commission International), which has strict evaluation criteria based on international standards in healthcare facilities and is designed according to the WELL Building Standard, confirming the quality of management, elderly care, and comprehensive health service standards at an international level.

For those interested in visiting the residential project or inquiring about health services, please visit www.aspentree.com.