Help for elderly expats
Aug 6th 2010 | 11:54 pm
#32
¿Dónde estoy?
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,330
From: my paradise - Jávea
Aug 7th 2010 | 12:54 am
#34
Not Banned (yet)
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,404
From: East Sussex
Re: Help for elderly expats
It's hard to make plans, when the government keeps changing the goalposts. Even in the UK the retirement age is being raised, and there's speculation of a "death tax" being introduced to pay for care in old age
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/he...-for-care.html
It seems noone really have an answer to this - whatever you plan for your retirement can be undone by events outside your control.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/he...-for-care.html
It seems noone really have an answer to this - whatever you plan for your retirement can be undone by events outside your control.
Aug 7th 2010 | 12:57 am
#35
¿Dónde estoy?
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,330
From: my paradise - Jávea
Aug 7th 2010 | 1:05 am
#36
RETIRED ;-))
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 20,156
From: Benalmadena Pueblo,Spain
Aug 7th 2010 | 4:09 am
#37
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 297
From: El Cotin, Chiclana
Re: Help for elderly expats
Age Concern Espana is a good place to start if people need help. The work that they do is currently being expanded with help from the UK Consulate. They also have an infoline number. The service varies depending on where you live. Age Concern Website All this info is already in the very useful free beer section.
The local services are run by volunteers.
Yvonne
The local services are run by volunteers.
Yvonne
Last edited by YMF; Aug 7th 2010 at 4:16 am.
Aug 8th 2010 | 6:30 pm
#38
Ex Expat
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,140
From: West Midlands, ex Granada province
Re: Help for elderly expats
The subject of this thread illustrates clearly why it is a bad idea to sever all ties with the UK.
How many elderly people in Spain cannot manage, have no help, have nothing in the UK to return to and can't afford to get anything?
At least in the UK their minimum income would be around £130 pw for a single person and £200 pw for a couple and they would be able to get the help they need.
Keep something in the UK, if only a studio flat or the deposit and first couple of month's rent on a rented property. It is SO important that you can return if necessary.
IMHO of course.
How many elderly people in Spain cannot manage, have no help, have nothing in the UK to return to and can't afford to get anything?
At least in the UK their minimum income would be around £130 pw for a single person and £200 pw for a couple and they would be able to get the help they need.
Keep something in the UK, if only a studio flat or the deposit and first couple of month's rent on a rented property. It is SO important that you can return if necessary.
IMHO of course.
Aug 8th 2010 | 7:37 pm
#39
Banned
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,008
Re: Help for elderly expats
The subject of this thread illustrates clearly why it is a bad idea to sever all ties with the UK.
How many elderly people in Spain cannot manage, have no help, have nothing in the UK to return to and can't afford to get anything?
At least in the UK their minimum income would be around £130 pw for a single person and £200 pw for a couple and they would be able to get the help they need.
Keep something in the UK, if only a studio flat or the deposit and first couple of month's rent on a rented property. It is SO important that you can return if necessary.
IMHO of course.
How many elderly people in Spain cannot manage, have no help, have nothing in the UK to return to and can't afford to get anything?
At least in the UK their minimum income would be around £130 pw for a single person and £200 pw for a couple and they would be able to get the help they need.
Keep something in the UK, if only a studio flat or the deposit and first couple of month's rent on a rented property. It is SO important that you can return if necessary.
IMHO of course.
Aug 8th 2010 | 9:09 pm
#40
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 7,653
From: Vejer de la Fra., Cadiz
Re: Help for elderly expats
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 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 agree that it does pay to season the dream with a bit of sense, like don't buy a flat with lots of stairs, don't stick yourself out in the back of beyond, but there are practical things you can do.
When you are too old to drive, then usually you won't need a car so much, so taxis become a lot more useful. After all, when you think of what it costs to tax, run and fuel a car, a couple of taxi rides a week aren't going to be that expensive.
