stregleshl
5/22/2014 00:17 EST
I'm currently living in California and I'm 56. Part of me wants to retire early and move to Mexico. I'm particularly considering Lake Chapala area since it's supposed to be a milder climate year around. I have two hesitations: money and my 90 year old father. I have a military pension but it's not enough to live on. My father gets social security and a VA pension. So, maybe we could make it work.
What I'd like to ask the Expat Exchange members is if it's advisable to move a 90 year old to Mexico. He is currently in an assisted living facility. He has insurance that covers his medical except for some of his medications. He is on about 13 different drugs. Sometimes he goes to the VA and gets care there too which is completely free. Should I be concerned that Mexico may not have all the drugs he needs? He gets around with a walker and can feed and bathe himself so he does pretty good for a 90 year old.
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elsidmx
5/22/2014 06:56 EST
Lake Chapala is a great choice for Seniors. When the time comes you will have a choice of about 5 retirement homes. The costs are much lower than the USA.
The medicines should not be a problem either.
There's lot of things here to stimulate his mind and the great weather will allow him to get outdoors and breath fresh mountain air,
Mexican people are very respectful and helpful to seniors. He will also qualify for discounts on meds.
There's 2 major social hubs here. The Lake Chapala Society and the American Legion post 7 (Largest one outside the USA).
You should take check us out trip here alone to be sure it's right for both of you before bringing in your Dad.
Also check to see if either or both of you qualify for residency with a Mexican consulate in the USA.
Otherwise you'll be limited tourist visas good for up to 6 months per trip.
Hope this helps, Sid Grsovenor
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ypremeaux
5/22/2014 14:16 EST
Hmmm, I have lived in Merida for five years and have found drugs I have taken I cannot get here at all. Some people get a large supply in the US and bring to Mexico. Medical care is less expensive than the US but sounds like he is financially well covered but his insurance will not cover him here. It would be good to take a trip to Lake Chapala and get all your questions answered.
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ypremeaux
5/22/2014 14:16 EST
Hmmm, I have lived in Merida for five years and have found drugs I have taken I cannot get here at all. Some people get a large supply in the US and bring to Mexico. Medical care is less expensive than the US but sounds like he is financially well covered but his insurance will not cover him here. It would be good to take a trip to Lake Chapala and get all your questions answered.
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NOK2mex
5/22/2014 14:28 EST
You can not have prescription drugs shipped in by mail. They will be confiscated at the border by customs. I was told that in Mexico they have hospital and home. All the in between care facilities like rehab do not exist down here. Don't know about nursing homes/facilities.
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randylewiskemp
5/22/2014 17:34 EST
What about shipping herbs and homeopathic remedies from the US? Or do you also have to get those in Mexico?
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Cozumeldeb
5/22/2014 18:17 EST
My guess is no to herbs etc..on your declaration it asks if you are bringing any live plants in etc..but then on the other hand its been my experience that MX is way ahead of the US in natural medicine cures/herbs etc..mainly because they had to relay on old time cures/meds.
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randylewiskemp
5/23/2014 13:37 EST
If I read the Wiki article on Lake Chapala at http://is.gd/ks1TBj, there are towns along the lake like Chapala, Jalisco, Jocotepec, Jalisco, San Juan Cosala, Jalisco, Mezcala de la Asunción, Jalisco, Tizapan El Alto, La Palma, Michoacán and Ocotlán, Jalisco. So my question is this: In or close to what towns are western expats renting or buying property?
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sunshine71
5/23/2014 22:59 EST
The Expat communiies are AJJIC, this is also where the wonderful assisted living homes are, and there are also Expats in Chapala. I do not think there is a signaficant number of expats in the other towns, and hospitals, clinics, groceries could be far away. AJJIC has everything, Sam's, Walmart, clinics, transportation, I took a bus around the lake, to see the villages, it took all day, I would not recommend living so far away from other expats.
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kittvincent
5/24/2014 02:21 EST
There are many expats in Jocotepec, San Juan Cosula and in the smaller villages or housing developments between Chapala and Ajijic. I have two friends who have their mothers in nursing homes in the Ajijic area. They are both very pleased with the care their mothers receive. I will see them on Tuesday night so I can find out more information then. Feel free to contact me by email for specific questions. kittrudeen@yahoo.com Kitt Vincent.
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lindarose
5/24/2014 10:48 EST
I left Ajijic almost 2 yrs ago after having lived there 18 yrs. There are assisted living care homes, but you should contact them to make sure they have space for your dad. Also, meds can be a problem. It has a lovely climate but seems dull to me now that I´ve been living in San Miguel de Allende!
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Parlino27
5/24/2014 11:23 EST
I do house sitting in SMA. If you ever need one please let me know.Thanks Peter
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kittvincent
5/28/2014 11:51 EST
I saw both of my friends last night. It happens that both of their mothers are in the same complexes and are quite happy with the care. This is the website. http://www.aliciaconvalescent.com/index.html. La Floresta is a lovely area in Ajijic. Both of my friends said they love the feeling of family that there mothers have.
By the way, Ajijic does not have a Sam's Club but they are located in Guad. We do have a Super Walmart. Good luck with your research. Kitt Vincent
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stregleshl
5/28/2014 12:02 EST
Thanks for your response and thanks to all who have responded. I was actually considering that we would rent a house and have him live with my wife and I if I found a place big enough to where he had a separate casita. It would be more affordable that way I believe.
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mccartyde
5/31/2014 14:56 EST
I think you need to go and visit several places before you decide. We preger Patzcuaro, a dolonial city. Queretaro looks good also. For medical care do a search on STAR Hospital in Morelia and Tec100.
You can go the assisted living path OR consider hiring a staff to provide care several hours a day. Think $3 hr for budgeting puroses.
I think you can get "vacation" packs on medicenes from VA; I know you can trom TriCare.
Have a contingeny plan for health emergencies, i.e., have a Dr you can call, know what hospital you want to use, how you will get there (911 ambulance may not work ).
TriCare does reimburse for medical care in MX (80 percent I think-Medicare is no good in MX, VA will pay only for service connected issues.
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