Careful planning for later life is something which we should all do. Now that old age is upon us it´s best to have a plan on what we’re going to do in the event that we can no longer remain at home and more to the point what can we afford to do..
Many of us decided to emigrate to warmer climes, in search of sun sea and sunshine in our younger years but if we haven’t got private medical insurance, we will find ourselves in a foreign country relying on their social services.
Bearing in mind that the national health service in Spain, like many other countries is stretched you might find yourself waiting six months for an appointment with a clinician, or other hospital services.
If you´re in a healthy financial position you could consider either 24hour homecare or pay for accommodation in a private residential home where many carers and residents speak English.
Rates in private care homes can start at between 2,500 and 3,000 euros per month. However, if you´re unable to pay for care but qualify for state care, you can apply to the local council to be placed in a local residential home amongst Spanish speakers and Spanish carers.
Should you need to ask for a subsidised place in a Residential Home, anyone who has lived here as a legal resident for at least 5 years and has completed all the correct paperwork, will have the same rights as any Spanish citizen to a place.
There will also be waiting lists and you will be unable to choose where you want to be, you will be sent where there is an available place and this could be anywhere within a 100km radius of where you are “EMPADRONADOl” (on the Municipal list).
Accommodation is almost always in a shared room and the state will take 75% of your income to help pay for this.
If you feel that it would be very difficult for you to live in a totally Spanish environment, you could consider returning to your home country before you arrive at this stage in your life However, you must be aware that you will need to re-establish residency there. In the UK for example that can only be done once you have returned to the Country until you have physically done this you cannot apply for access to a state care home.
This means that you will need to find somewhere to live and the cost of living in a residential care home in the UK is currently in the region of £5,000 per month, clearly much more expensive than Spain.
So, if you are still capable of living alone for a short period of time, then this will be the cheapest way of returning to the UK whilst establishing that you are ‘ordinarily a resident there.’
Once this has been done, you can apply for a medical assessment and if you pass this, you may be offered a permanent place in a care home but be warned, if you are moving into a residential or nursing home permanently, you will be expected to pay towards the cost, and the home in which you have been living in will be included in the assessment of your income.
You will not be eligible for payment from the council towards your care in a care home if your savings, assets and capital are over £23,250 and you will be expected to pay the total cost of your placement in the residential or nursing care home until your funds reach the qualifying level for free state care.
Whatever you decide and whenever you decide it, at some stage you may be advised to grant power of attorney to a third party who will help to manage your finances, but be careful and ensure that the person you appoint is someone you have known for some time and you trust as access to money can attract the unscrupulous.
Not all great news for many, but better to be aware and prepared. Remember you can always contact us at Age Concern Marbella & San Pedro if you require advice on any of the above.
Our Helpline is open every week day for your call or email us. Our contact details are below.
