RETIRING TO GOA
 

We are a couple from London thinking of retiring to Goa. I am over 60 and partner over 55. We are concerned about facilities for retirement care should one of us eventually need this ie nursing home care for just the elderly and nursing home care for dementia patients. I mention dementia as both of us had fathers with this disease. If anyone has any info on this subject it would really be appreciated, together with approximate costs. It seems within the next 10 years or so NHS full time care will be out of the question, hence we are looking at India. Also, I imagine the quality of care would be better than the UK in any event. Any help or direction towards help would be greatly appreciated.

Re: RETIRING TO GOA
 

Welcome Foxilady to BE. Retirement in Goa was a dream for many of us, but it was not to be unless we were married to an Indian or of Indian decent You can only obtain a visa for 180 days and have to leave India for 2 months.

If you are not a PIO/OCI please do not even think about purchasing in Goa (read Buyer Beware).

Perhaps you could tell us a bit more about yourselves, and your status.

Re: RETIRING TO GOA
 

Best Marigold Hotel maybe?


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Re: RETIRING TO GOA
 

My partner's dad was born in India, so maybe that would help. We wouldn't be opposed to renting but we wonder what happens when we may get too old to look after ourselves? What is the care like for the elderly who need looking after, perhaps 24x7 in a care home. As I mentioned dementia is a consideration in latter years to come. We loved that movie Marigold Hotel btw.

Re: RETIRING TO GOA
 

In a very few words and sorry about this..Forget it

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Yes it was a documentary.

Re: RETIRING TO GOA
 

In India most very elderly people are looked after at home by relatives. Full time nurses day and night can be employed to help and would be far less expensive than in UK, but one of you would need to be capable of organising this. Or have relatives on hand.

Of course live in helpers are always an option for household work.

There are private care homes springing up in the bigger cities but most are more sheltered housing than full time care.

Charitable care homes for those without home care or are destitute exist. I would have thought they were just for local people.

I don't know about any particular private care homes in Goa maybe others will know.

(You would need to marry your partner in order to stay full time!!!)

I have just seen the above post: Chris is right.

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Documentary?

Like ET and Men in Black?


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Re: RETIRING TO GOA
 

We were describing the plot of 'Total Recall' to my FIL, at the end he asked, "Is it a true story like?"

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wtf?

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I am suggesting that the NHS is probably not as bad and India not as good as portrayed in a light-hearted film.

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You have to experience both and I have. I would say the Healthcare, although private but reasonably priced, is far better in India. I would much rather go and see my doctor here and have major surgery here than in the UK. They are really wonderful. Private hospitalisation insurance costs 120 pounds a year for a couple.

Re: RETIRING TO GOA
 

TU Chris that is most helpful to know, so cheap for private cover. When I go in November I shall make a point of trying to investigate care for the elderly ie care/nursing home situations.
I wouldn't dream of comparing my serious enquiry with a movie! weird!

Re: RETIRING TO GOA
 

Sorry, not on my own patch here ;) but this thread caught my eye as I continually mull over the "long term retirement" questions that we must all have, especially if you're living in a country where you haven't got any relatives.

Just wondering if there's any kind of expat support group to help in Goa? I've just set one up in Penang (Malaysia) as a kind of extra layer of support. I have close friends here who I know I can rely on in an emergency situation, but it's good to have some extra support if needed, to share the load: hospital visits, or just someone to chat with. Some friends in Malta said they have a support group there too. Just an idea.

Re: RETIRING TO GOA
 

For foreigners?

In a good quality hospital without your spouse/family remaining at your side?

And they actually pay out?


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Re: RETIRING TO GOA
 

Foxilady - please don't take any notice of Sally with regard to your question.
Chris - £120 a year Private Health Care for 2, cheaper than taking holiday insurance except for repatriation.

I have great faith in the Goa medical system. Dr. Dukles Hospital and Research Center in Candolim was second to none, such a caring Doctor he has been in touch thrice since we returned home. GMC local hospital made my hair stand on end, BUT the medical care was excellent, pity about the surroundings. Until you have experienced these things you cannot comment.

Of course, until you sort out whether you can get PIO/OCI and you then marry your partner, you will not be able to retire to India.

Re: RETIRING TO GOA
 

Noni agree with all you have said; but the issue raised here is longterm full time care in a nursing home if they become demented.
Basic insurance will not cover this care.
As I said such care usually is given in the person's own home.
Are there any nursing homes in Goa? that would take in foreigners full time, possibly for the rest of their lives?

Also the legal issues re payment and their protection if they become incapable of managing their affairs.

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Can you believe, Bipat I agree with you :eek::eek: I think their idea is a nonstarter. Would not entertain it, would you with family around you?

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Agree with Sally Redux; disagree with chrisjolly:

I have had competent treatment for a fairly minor condition at Vrundavan hospital - it has been frequently criticised on these forums but is still one of the best hospitals in Goa. They've got X-Ray and CAT scan and modern drugs but in other respects the place does not meet even mid-Victorian standards. A quck scan through newspaper back issues will soon show that standards at GMC simply beggar belief. They are really NOT wonderful!

For possibly the most up-market retirement option in Goa check out Bougainvillea

AndyD 8-)₹

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A big problem in Goa is that there are only a few expats there for 12 months of the year, and thanks to the behaviour of the government(s) that number is shrinking.

AndyD 8-)₹

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Agree. Thought of any 'permanent nursing home' is not pleasant wherever it is.

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I too have read about the standards at GMC. Yes, A&E was horrendous, a complete nightmare, but in our situation once on the ward, even though depressing, the medical treatment we were given was spot on, even though I admit I discharged my OH prefering him to have a bonemarrow test in UK. We took the first flight back home.

Vrundraven - had an small operation there as Andy says like mid Victorian Hospital - I was amazed after having the operation, that in the paper the next day it was only 10 years old!!!

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I can only say that my MIL has very advanced Alzheimers and is receiving care in a UK care home which could not be any better. I understand that the OP may have fears about the future NHS situation but they may be panicking over nothing. I only joined the thread as having seem the 'Marigold' film I was intrigued.

Re: RETIRING TO GOA
 

thanx everyone for you input Yes Bipat the thought of a nursing home is not pleasant but the fact remains that 1 in3 will end up with some form of dementia! I am trying to look at this possible eventuality and work out where we would like to end up demented lol.

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I would pick India anytime for any healthcare issues - I work for NHS and it's terrible to get treated like a second class citizen as they are too busy to give a decent diagnosis and long waiting lists.

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TU Majorda, that is very encouraging to hear

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That has not been our experience, quite the reverse.

AndyD 8-)₹

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To be honest my parents retired to a different state in India in 2006 - Dad was given 24 - 48hrs and my parents went to India for treatment in 2006 and have been there ever since. Dad is doing alot better now still has few bad days but his doctors always seem to encourage him and treat him with respect.

So from my own experience I would highly recommend it for healthcare.

Also he has a carer who starts from 8am - 8pm for 180 rupees a day. You have facilities for any blood or urine test - they do a home visit.

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Yes the NHS has serious problems, and there will always be failures, but in general whoever you are regardless of where you live if you need emergency treatment you get it. The brilliant paramedics will come. If you collapse in your house in an Indian small town or village?????

In India you have to pay for what you get and if no money only very basic treatment, and that is across the board, whatever your means.
Late B-in-law diagnosed in the morning (in Mumbai), cost of hospital treatment given, £1000s. Wife said she "didn't have money in her purse" don't worry they said "This afternoon will do"!!!! Needless to say he was nursed at home.

Certainly far more home nursing care is available in India.

In India if you retire from a good job and have work related medical insurance then your available treatments will be superior to NHS. and going to India from UK for a specific operation will be better and cheaper (I will go to Pune if I ever need a joint replacement).

But to have someone on hand to help night or day and not dependant on the cash you have with you, what system can beat the NHS?

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NHS can be better with the right employees and can do attitude. I mean you can have different experience from hospital to hospital but when you have a bad experience with them it just leaves you very uncertain when you get treated the next time.

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I totally disagree.
It is fashionable to complain about the NHS but you very rarely hear complaints from someone who has been treated for a serious illness.

AndyD 8-)₹

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And you feel very uncertain when you hear that a leading hospital in Delhi has burnt down with dozens of deaths due to flouting all fire safety norms; or that the toilet block at Goa Medical College has collapsed and the hospital has operated for months without patient toilets; that Vrundavan hospital has overflowing sewage running outside and tips medical waste in Mapusa.......!

AndyD

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I think infrastructure and health & safety will always be an underlying issue in most developing countries. You just have to take a chance on that - it's either get some sort of treatment or the other option is we can't do much for this patient will have to turn the machines off.

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Andy did you read my post??
I was praising the NHS. and I agree with your above statement.

But having witnessed the luxury and personal treatment relatives have got when having their knees done with their very generous work related insurance .I can appreciate some good in India.

I can also assure you from personal experience that affordable home nursing care is available in India and very difficult to get in UK. (but of course this is a private arrangement in both countries).

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I think what I am gathering good information here. From what I deduce if you have funds India is good for health care. I have checked some costs and to be honest it looks very favourable ie for a years health insurance in particular. I am pleased about that. I for one cannot knock the NHS. I received excellent treatment for a rare cancer, honestly if i had gone private (which i had in the past for some things) I couldn't have wished for better care. Mind you, it was the world renowned Royal Marsden - what a brilliant lot they are. Not only did I get A1 care and treatment, I am also cured. Now that's what I call excellent treatment.

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*that I am gathering

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OK, no attempt at humour as it's obviously wasted.....
(Shame cos you need a good one to survive living in India :eek:)

So seriously, everyone is getting excited about Chris' figure for medical insurance, but unless things have changed in the last few years, this is ONLY available to RESIDENTS of India (legally so). It is not available to foreigners on Tourist visas, although you can bet your life (sic) that more than a few have been sold it.

(if you think it through it would be daft if tourists could buy a years medical insurance after they arrive in a foreign country, with all the implications involved)

As we all know, that "resident" status is very difficult to achieve with any sense of long term security, as I presume our new member seeks, unless.......

there is scope for PIO/OCI to be sought.

Is somewhat less than definitive........ Indian, or foreigner who happened to be in India at the (colonial) time?

If the later is the case, very very difficult, will takes years and very few (but some) succeed. Know of one, but he was born in India, not his father.

If the former, then the required documentary evidence is needed. Without this its a long hard slog.

After sorting this out for your partner, you will then need to marry. India does not recognise the status of a "partner". Once married, there is a variable waiting period for PIO/OCI status for you.

As we are all expected to be gender neutral these days, inclusive, diverse etc, I should point out that if you are same-sex couple (you don't mention) then this all goes out the window as India doesn't recognise this either, even for diplomats (tested several times).

Sorry to digress from the jolly debate on the NHS.
From personal experience, I agree with Andy's views on the Indian medical system.
But overall Bipat is talking most sense :eek: (wash my mouth out) :D

Re: RETIRING TO GOA
 

Partner is male, and if necessary i would marry but it would have to be absolutely necessary as I don't agree with that institution lol. His father was born there and his grandfather lived there for years as Head of Customs and Excise in Delhi so maybe he could get his POI, we will see. Thanks for all the tips though guys.

Re: RETIRING TO GOA
 

Hi Foxilady.

You don`t mention if you`ve been to Goa before and if you have how long for?

Are you aware of the monsoon period?

Can you cope with 32 degrees in the shade for most of the year and high humidity?

Re: RETIRING TO GOA
 

MsJ5 - anything is better than the weather here, although to-day has been fantastic. Could not face the winter at home, better to be ......... in the sun than the cold.