Whether you are concerned about the wears and tears of aging on your own body, or, are planning to move with elderly relatives, its important to know what your options are in Spain. Our resident writer there, Sally, has researched what is available.
Find out what resources are available for older care in Spain.
There’s one undeniable fact and that is we get older. For many fortunate people, families live nearby and provide support as we age. However, for people who have retired to Spain, one’s children and siblings may not live close by, so what is available for us when we need help in our daily lives?
Being a resident is a great advantage. If you were resident in Spain before Brexit, that is also helpful. In certain situations, you could access care for the elderly through your town’s social services, which provide assistance for all sorts of conditions and needs. It usually involves an assessment by a professional and it is likely that your application will take some considerable time to be dealt with so you need to apply sooner rather than later.
It is possible that you are eligible for help from the British government if you are receiving a state pension or other benefit. This might be Attendance Allowance or Carers’ Allowance, Disability Living Allowance care component or Personal Independence Payment living component. To find out if you can apply, contact the UK’s international pension centre.
Let’s look at the various options available:
Find homes in Spain via our property portal.
Care at home
Social services may be able to help with care at home. This can include help with housework, personal hygiene and mobility. There is usually some cost attached but it will be lower than using a private organisation.
You may need a medical alarm if you have serious, ongoing health problems. You must ask your doctor at the CAP for a letter explaining why you need such help and then take it to your local Social Services Office. Currently, you need to book an appointment but the Spanish government is planning to scrap this, so shortly you will be able to go at any time the office is open.
There are many private companies providing carers and the cost will vary depending on the type of care required. This can include daily car, transport, housekeeping and providing meals amongst other services. An internet search will help you find companies near you and it’s often worth getting quotes from two or three.
Another option, one favoured by many Spanish people, is to have a live-in carer, usually a person from a South American country. They are there to look after all your needs on a daily basis, maybe also cooking though cleaning is not part of their remit. You provide board and lodging and some pocket money, and they should have at least one day a week free. You will need to speak some Spanish if you choose this method, though some South Americans do speak English. They are not in the majority though. This is a cost-effective way of receiving care at home and it also means that single elderly people will not be lonely.
Have questions about Spanish healthcare? Get in touch with one of our Spanish healthcare experts today.
Retirement homes
Retirement homes fall into two categories, state owned and privately owned. The cost of either varies enormously depending on the region and what is offered, in fact it can cost anywhere between €800 and €5000 a month though the average is €2500 to €3000 a month.
State owned retirement homes are available for residents but are offered on a basis of need, so an assessment is carried out, not only of a person’s health but also of their financial situation. Unfortunately, this can take some time unless the need is absolutely urgent.
In recent years there has been an upsurge in privately managed new retirement homes and villages in Spain, with many providing onsite medical facilities. There are usually a number of social activities available including classes, clubs and interests such as hobbies and even sport. Some places organise trips for residents so travel is made easy. There are different types of homes available, for couples and for single people.
Nursing homes
Spain has many nursing homes, both state-run and privately owned. There are a total of 1148 nursing homes in the country so there will be one near to where you live, though if the person needs specialised care, you might need to look further afield as there is a shortage of care homes for those with complicated medical conditions.
Nursing homes in Spain are government regulated and there are frequent inspections so the standard of care is pretty good in general. In recent times, extra training has been offered to improve and maintain standards of nursing care.
Organisations that can help
There are several useful organisations for those seeking care for the elderly, perhaps the most useful for the English speaker is Age in Spain the first national charity in Spain to be dedicated to the welfare of English-speaking older people.
British Care Services: a privately owned company offering live in care, dementia care, palliative and respite care amongst others.
Age Concern Espana: based mainly in Andalusia.
The Royal British Legion: offers health and social support.
Support in Spain: is a service run by the British government and local consulates.
You will also find local support services run by English speaking volunteers which can give excellent advice on assistance in your specific area.
More reading:
