The Spanish do get help with regards to meals!

It costs them 0.85€ per day, and they get meals delivered to them they also get free holidays with food included. I´m not demanding that Spain be like Britain but to be fair to the people that have paid into its system.

That's actually illegal in Spain.

It is against the law not to intervene if you see a somebody suffering or injured. Just like it is illegal not to stop and help a motorist after an accident even if you were not involved.

Give people the benefits that have paid into the corresponding countries system for a number of years, not people that just turn up off speck and expect to get benefits when they have made no contributions, this is where Britain has let itself down, its a soft touch, my point is that there are plenty of Brits who have been here for years and paid into the system that should be treated better.

What's the problem then? Benefits in Spain are usually available to "residents" whether you are Spanish or British shouldnt matter.

You keep saying British expats have paid into the system, but have they? Very very few pay their monthly social security contributions each month in Spain or did so before they retired.

Regarding the cheap meals, you will have to look into it to see how you can claim them and whether you would have had to have a paid a minimum number of years into the social security system or not. Like anything in Spain, knowledge is king!

Here you go, everything you need to know is here:

You are right, there seems to be lots of help given to elderly people in Spain. No reason why British elderly people can't claim it too! As long as they have someone who can apply and understand the system in Spanish

http://www.seg-social.es/Internet_1/...ales/index.htm

I don't think it's true to say that elderly Spanish people don't get any help from the state (up until recently they didn't, but that has changed because of the Ley de Dependencia). I live in a large town and I see quite a few of my elderly neighbours getting visits from uniformed carers from the local Social Services, doing housework for them, etc.

I don't know what the criteria for eligibility for these services are, but I'm sure EU citizens resident in Spain would be entitled to them if they met the same criteria as a Spaniard - of course you would need a good knowledge of Spanish I imagine, as there are probably reams of forms to be filled in.

I do agree with the points made by Jay01 about the advisability of thinking not only of your immediate preferences when selecting a place to live in Spain, but also of your long term needs. I can't drive (although my partner can) but there is no way I would have bought a house in the country as I would have been stuck there if anything happened to him. I was only 50 when we moved here but was determined to be within easy reach of health centres, a hospital, within walking distance of shops, etc.

Well at least the information is in English so that will help

Because of the lack of care services in a rapidly changing Spain there have been an increase in cases of elderly abuse in the spanish news. UK isn't great either, I have a relative whose Husband has gone into early dementia (64), he has to be in a special unit and because they have a comfortable sum of money she has to pay.

I have seen a lot on the CDS go from being fit "young" pensioners to not being able to cope anymore. Some have just turned into being a bit weird but one couple I know are more or less housebound. They rely on other ex-pats for shopping etc. another couple was taken back to the UK by their family, she had a stroke (no aftercare here) and was in a 3rd floor apartment with a tiny lift that was always broken...they struggled on for about 2 years trying to sell and never did. They did finally get meals on wheels type slop.


Something to think about for the early retirees in their 50's

I know of a few such organisations. Maybe you, like them should advertise at local expat information offices and ayuntamientos

Jo xxx

The British expat communities in Spain have a vast network of volunteers. like HELP, to help each other, but you still hear of horror stories on a daily basis. We heard of an English couple today, in their early fifties, who run a small business in the campo, but with a few expats around them.

The wife developed a serious illness and the husband provides constant care for her, meaning that he could no longer run their business, or pay their mortgage.

She would need an air ambulance to return home, but they can't afford the £14,000 it would cost, nor is there much for them to return home to. There is some Spanish home care available, but it's not enough.

You can't plan for every mishap in the future, but living in an expat community helps, and unless you arrive in Spain in your twenties, by the time you get to 50 and need help you will not have sufficient Spanish experience (not just the language) to make use of the assistance that is provided.

If you're isolated and don't know the language, there is nothing anyone can do for you.

Over zealous mods, they are pussycats now, you would of got your name changed too if one miserable old git was still on here.

ooh & who might that be?!!


have to admit I had wondered about the username myself - we shall have to see what tomorrow brings, shan't we!

And you think I'm not taking care of that?

see - that's what I thought