Sun, 22 November 2009
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Expats who have been used to efficient state provision for the elderly in their own countries could face a nasty shock in Spain.The only thing worse than growing old, some cynic once remarked, is not growing old.
That may or may not be true, but one certainty is that growing old when you have made no provisions for your old age can be a very unpleasant business – especially for the expatriate.With the exception of a lucky few, old age brings attendant infirmities, and many foreigners are accustomed to think that these will alleviated by the facilities of the Spanish state.
Not necessarily so, as we found when we spoke to people involved in care for the aged in Spain.
Age Concern Costa Blanca Sur is probably the largest UK-style charity to help the aged on the Costa Blanca, in south-eastern Spain.
Angela Keay, their president, says her organisation does its best to help those in need, but it is simply not always possible in some cases.
"So many people come out here assuming that Spain has the same facilities as the UK," Keay explained.
"But it hasn’t. Their resources can barely cope with their own people, let alone a huge influx of foreigners.
"Let’s face it, a lot of us are going to face illnesses in our old age, and belonging to the Spanish public health service isn’t enough."
For one thing, many clinics demand that foreign patients bring a translator with them; that can cost EUR 20 an hour, which soon mounts up, especially if you have to wait to see the doctor.
And free home care nursing is seldom available, which can add greatly to monthly expenditure; in the case of British expats, if all you have is a UK senior citizens pension, it isn’t long before you are feeling the pinch.
“The big trouble is that so many people simply assume that UK benefits are payable in Spain.,” said Keay.
“But that isn’t the case. All people have to do is check with the pensions authorities in the UK and they’ll tell you exactly what your entitlements are, but so many neglect even that basic precaution.”
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