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Here the emphasis is on the economic issue as a priority. But I ask... and the emotional factor? You'd be on the other side of the world, thousands of miles away from your loved ones. No one is going to visit you; at least regularly.
It is often not any different when you immigrate in your younger years. You may actually run into stereotypes and negativity on both sides.
Most people want to be around their kids and friends if they’re in a nursing home. In fact people that retire to Florida often move back to where their family is once they start needing help.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Teacher Terry
Most people want to be around their kids and friends if they’re in a nursing home. In fact people that retire to Florida often move back to where their family is once they start needing help.
for many... there is no family, certainly not when the call for caregiving arrives.
For 40 yrs we have done volunteering for local rural seniors. They all had nearby kids who never lifted a finger, until there was a chance to reap profits from the estate or property sale. Some of the kids were very affluent (they were the least likely to assist their parents, but always first in line for the proceeds).
Currently we're doing 24x7 care for a 98.5 yo parent. 1 hr away is acceptable, but not easy (especially in the winter ice + 80 mph winds, and rural homes / livestock to care for. + lots of travel)
I think OPO is without family, as we consider ourselves. (Tho with family.... none who are apt to be our caregivers). That's fine, as a hospice volunteer, I often witness family dynamics that are very negative to those needing care and peace.
Receiving care from other cultures might just be the correct solution for some.
I prefer the slow-go yrs in a community (rural Senior co-op preferred).
No-go / SCF I have no problem being FAR away from family, and in the hands of gentle caregivers with hearts of compassionate servants. The most similar example I've found in the USA was in a very small midwest town (<500 people) where many residents and staff grew up together as neighbors serving each other. My Grandmother was cared for by the grands, and great grandkids of some of her previous neighbors and students (one-room-schoolhouse). They had all been in church and community service for decades. Facility was on a hill overlooking the familiar community and a lake and a lot of cornfields (farmers created a wildlife preserve / feeding zone in front of CareCenter for residents to enjoy)
I do have my application all filled out for Wyoming Pioneer home in Thermopolis (if I get disabled while living in the USA). Spouse and kids exclaimed there is no way they will ever visit me there. That's quite alright (and understandable) for me. Thailand would be fine as well. I've been extremely well cared for there. Even the simple service jobs in the USA are often occupied be those who hate their jobs and their customers. - After 50+ yrs of dealing with cry-baby employees, I am not looking forward to 'entitled' caregivers. There will be a better (and easier) way. It won't include family. Not MY family. (maybe my 'adopted' family in SE Asia)
BTDT family caregiving for 32 yrs for a disabled parent and subjected my spouse and kids to all that drama.
for many... there is no family, certainly not when the call for caregiving arrives.
For 40 yrs we have done volunteering for local rural seniors. They all had nearby kids who never lifted a finger, until there was a chance to reap profits from the estate or property sale. Some of the kids were very affluent (they were the least likely to assist their parents, but always first in line for the proceeds).
Currently we're doing 24x7 care for a 98.5 yo parent. 1 hr away is acceptable, but not easy (especially in the winter ice + 80 mph winds, and rural homes / livestock to care for. + lots of travel)
I think OPO is without family, as we consider ourselves. (Tho with family.... none who are apt to be our caregivers). That's fine, as a hospice volunteer, I often witness family dynamics that are very negative to those needing care and peace.
Receiving care from other cultures might just be the correct solution for some.
I prefer the slow-go yrs in a community (rural Senior co-op preferred).
No-go / SCF I have no problem being FAR away from family, and in the hands of gentle caregivers with hearts of compassionate servants. The most similar example I've found in the USA was in a very small midwest town (<500 people) where many residents and staff grew up together as neighbors serving each other. My Grandmother was cared for by the grands, and great grandkids of some of her previous neighbors and students (one-room-schoolhouse). They had all been in church and community service for decades. Facility was on a hill overlooking the familiar community and a lake and a lot of cornfields (farmers created a wildlife preserve / feeding zone in front of CareCenter for residents to enjoy)
I do have my application all filled out for Wyoming Pioneer home in Thermopolis (if I get disabled while living in the USA). Spouse and kids exclaimed there is no way they will ever visit me there. That's quite alright (and understandable) for me. Thailand would be fine as well. I've been extremely well cared for there. Even the simple service jobs in the USA are often occupied be those who hate their jobs and their customers. - After 50+ yrs of dealing with cry-baby employees, I am not looking forward to 'entitled' caregivers. There will be a better (and easier) way. It won't include family. Not MY family. (maybe my 'adopted' family in SE Asia)
BTDT family caregiving for 32 yrs for a disabled parent and subjected my spouse and kids to all that drama.
No thanks
If my wife and kids told me that, I would immediately end those relationships. Life is way too short to waste on those that would care so little for me. . .
I enjoyed living in Germany for 3 of the past 6 years. There were 2 big reasons that prevented me from staying there as a US citizen retiree. These 2 reasons were why I returned to the US last October.
First, the monthly cost of private health insurance was high, about $1000 per month. On top of that, I was paying for my USA Medicare part B because I did not want to lose my coverage for that if I decided to return to the USA.
My second big reason for not staying in Germany was the tax system. I am a US retiree with annual taxable income from pension, SS and investments over $100K. In Germany, dividends and interest are taxed at a flat 25 percent and any income over about $50K USD is taxed at 42 percent (ouch). If I stayed any longer than I did I would have been dragged into the tax system. I did not want to pay that level of taxes forever.
If my wife and kids told me that, I would immediately end those relationships. Life is way too short to waste on those that would care so little for me. . .
I totally agree with you and couldn’t believe that was true! In my family we definitely visit and help one another. We don’t quit our jobs and give up our lives for caregiving but we definitely visit and help. I helped my mom with my dad for 14 years when we lived next door.
When my mom needed help as she battled cancer I would fly across the country and use my vacation and sick time to help. My two siblings did the same and between us my mom was able to stay in her apartment until a week before she died.
If my wife and kids told me that, I would immediately end those relationships. Life is way too short to waste on those that would care so little for me. . .
I think that statement recount is being used ironically or humorously. But stealth, wondering just how you can manage 24/7 care for a very elderly parent with all the travel you do? Do you coordinate carers, often remotely?
The issue with planning to retire to Asia is that area is the part of the world developing the fastest. So the economic advantages for westerners are likely to keep diminishing as their economies and standard of living continue to advance.
No one can control that. Of course Asia (I'm referring to SE Asia in the context of retirement) will be more expensive in the future, and the dollar worth less, but it will still be cheaper than America.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Threestep2
Thailand's immigration requirements are very clear. Amongst others language proficiency.
Wrong. Long term visas, residency, or retirement visas are NOT the same as seeking citizenship.
The former allows you to live in the country long term as an expat, the latter is if you want to actually become a citizen. Thailand is very English friendly for ex-pats.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Teacher Terry
Most people want to be around their kids and friends if they’re in a nursing home.
No one can control that. Of course Asia (I'm referring to SE Asia in the context of retirement) will be more expensive in the future, and the dollar worth less, but it will still be cheaper than America.
Wrong. Long term visas, residency, or retirement visas are NOT the same as seeking citizenship.
The former allows you to live in the country long term as an expat, the latter is if you want to actually become a citizen. Thailand is very English friendly for ex-pats.
Not if they can't afford it.
Most people that can’t afford it end up on Medicaid and then their families and friends can visit them. They don’t go overseas. In fact I don’t know one person that has done that. By the time you need that level of care the only meaningful thing left is your connections to other people.
Most people that can’t afford it end up on Medicaid and then their families and friends can visit them. They don’t go overseas. In fact I don’t know one person that has done that. By the time you need that level of care the only meaningful thing left is your connections to other people.
There are a couple people on C-D that seem to deny that sentiment. I could not agree with you more. Whether people acknowledge it or not it is the only thing that matters (but, I would add yourself and your pets into the mix as they get to be people too).
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After 50+ yrs of dealing with cry-baby employees, I am not looking forward to 'entitled' caregivers. There will be a better (and easier) way. It won't include family. Not MY family. (maybe my 'adopted' family in SE Asia)