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in home health care and costs

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4gypsies
  7/5/2014 13:48 EST

My husband will need lots of in home health care for his Parkinson's. The costs are too expensive in the US and we live in a remote area which makes it more inaccessible. We are thinking of a move to Panama and renting. Does anyone know which area in Panama would be best to find this and how high the costs would be?
Thank you for any information?

pollokeeper
  7/5/2014 14:03 EST

Specialized health care can be a huge problema here in Panama. I have a freind whose wife has some kind of rare health problema that requires special medications. They have decided to move back to the US. I would come here on vacation, talk to some doctors etc and ask your questions to them at that time. I would think that a larger city like David or a town outside PC would be the best bet. Get ready for a night mare life, You are going to spend all your time trying to find decent doctors and find the medications you need etc. Good luck.

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Kovalenko & Vera is a Panamanian law firm that specializes in immigration law, corporate law, real estate law, banking, contract negotiation, taxes and flag registry. With more than 20 years of professional practice, Kovalenko & Vera builds lasting relationships with our clients to ensure your interests are safeguarded.
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jonoyakker
  7/5/2014 17:56 EST

Actually it depends on whether he needs specialized care and meds. Normal maintenance help is much more affordable in Panama. And actually there are some excellent Docs. here as well. I know of very many positive medical experiences here. Much depends on the complexity of the situation.

pollokeeper
  7/5/2014 18:14 EST

This is why coming to Panama for a vacation or to stay here for a few months would come in Handy. A person could talk to a few doctors etc and find out a lot of information on whether it is practical or Smart to move here. Home care isn't that expensive if you know where to find a dependable Home care aid. My girlfriend is a home care aid and Works for 2.50 per hour in PC. She went to school to be a nurse etc.

panamajames
  7/22/2014 14:58 EST

You could train your own young lady nurse for private care. There are also many retired RN's here who might want to pitch in, to help train a young nurse. I know of many elderly people who come here looking for a companion and nurse for their ailments, and are quite happy with the costs. Hospital care for emergency situations can cost over $500 a day here, so preventative care is what you need, and a local nurse or student who can work inexpensively, is what you want to look for. The more populated the area, the better chances you will have of finding such people, and there are many around who would jump at the chance to find steady work.

4gypsies
  7/23/2014 14:11 EST

Thank you for your response. Worth considering.

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Kovalenko & Vera is a Panamanian law firm that specializes in immigration law, corporate law, real estate law, banking, contract negotiation, taxes and flag registry. With more than 20 years of professional practice, Kovalenko & Vera builds lasting relationships with our clients to ensure your interests are safeguarded.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Kovalenko & Vera Attorneys at Law in PanamaKovalenko & Vera Attorneys at Law in Panama

Kovalenko & Vera is a Panamanian law firm that specializes in immigration law, corporate law, real estate law, banking, contract negotiation, taxes and flag registry. With more than 20 years of professional practice, Kovalenko & Vera builds lasting relationships with our clients to ensure your interests are safeguarded.
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lweber100
  8/7/2014 05:21 EST

I am also considering relocating to Panama to get affordable help for my husband's Parkinson's. I have trained my own help here in NJ because agencies are too inflexible and expensive.
In Panama, I hope to hire at least 3 full time shifts of caregivers or a couple of live-in caregivers, whom I will treat like family. I am nearly fluent in reading Spanish and reasonably functional in spoken Spanish. I plan to visit Panama before moving, but have to sell my hurricane Sandy damaged properties first.
The care I need is "custodial" not medical- and not covered under Medicare. I am looking for a climate of 70-85F daytime and as mosquito free as possible. I wish to make friends with local Panamanians and not be isolated in an enclave of Gringos. Can anyone recommend towns or areas where I can focus my research and begin my quest?
To 4gypsies: please contact me privately so we can share information.

4gypsies
  8/7/2014 17:28 EST

I would certainly consider a move to Panama for good, reliable home care for my husband. Never having been to Panama, I am thinking that there would be more services/caregivers available in/near a big city/town. Like you, I would pay a fair wage and be kind to anyone caring for my husband. I would have to go to Panama first, but that is daunting as it seems I would either have to live there awhile or have connections who would refer me to what I need. That would take some time. In the meantime, we will sell our NY place and move to AZ where care is cheaper.
I speak Spanish, but need practice as it has been a very long time since we lived in a Spanish speaking country.
If you have suggestions, I'd love to hear from you. My husband's Parkinson's is advancing and he is pretty much wheelchair bound, with some dementia and hallucinating. He also must wear a hip brace due to his hip continually dis-locating.

Hope you sell your properties soon!

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