Retirement or nursing home?

[adityanm]

I have lived in USA for the last 45 years.
I am not rich but have a stable retirement income from SS & IRA to support myself comfortably but I assume I could live more comfortably in India with same income.

However my health is worsening day by day.
I have been recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease which is supposed to be incurable and very debilitating but not
terminal.
My wife's health is not much better either so that she had to give up daily cooking and we mostly eat out preferably Desi food which is easy to get here.
I have a daughter who decided not to get married and has a career of her own but her health is also deteriorating.
I have no family in India on whom I could become a burden in our old age.
Still, I am thinking of going back to India if I can find a good nursing home and retire there with my computer as a companion.
My wife is not willing to live too far from our daughter but I am not sure if she will finally decide to live with me or our daughter.

Now, I am seeking your advice on how to find a good nursing home with independent living facility preferably in northern hill station and good hospitals nearby.

[VA_INDIAN]

Sir. I feel for your health, I have learnt about Parkison disease last year or so. You may have a better life in India with respect to Help and support and community. But you have to think if your wife is not with you and your DD is away and also if your health issues need good health care and you think in India esp for Parkison that may not be easy then you have to evaluate accordingly.

As far as old age homes or nursing homes are concerned I am sure in India the concept is gaining momentum esp for NRI for whom money might not be as big an issue. Best would be to contact a NGO from US and also take their opinion who probably are dealing with old age people wellfare...

Good luck

I have lived in USA for the last 45 years.
I am not rich but have a stable retirement income from SS & IRA to support myself comfortably but I assume I could live more comfortably in India with same income.

However my health is worsening day by day.
I have been recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease which is supposed to be incurable and very debilitating but not
terminal.
My wife's health is not much better either so that she had to give up daily cooking and we mostly eat out preferably Desi food which is easy to get here.
I have a daughter who decided not to get married and has a career of her own but her health is also deteriorating.
I have no family in India on whom I could become a burden in our old age.
Still, I am thinking of going back to India if I can find a good nursing home and retire there with my computer as a companion.
My wife is not willing to live too far from our daughter but I am not sure if she will finally decide to live with me or our daughter.

Now, I am seeking your advice on how to find a good nursing home with independent living facility preferably in northern hill station and good hospitals nearby.

[BeeAndButterfly]

Hello sir,

Do you also have the option of returning for a short period, say 1 year and they decide if you wish to make the move permanent?

[gwldaddu]

I feel sad for you. But then at the same time I would like to say that how you live is dictated by your enthusiasm and attitude towards life and not completely by health. I am sure you have a positive attitude and will do well in old age.

India definitely will be a good choice from cultural and low cost healthcare perspective. However, will you be able to live far from your Dear Wife?

[rajpoorna]

Dear Sir,

This is my view and few information about facility:
1) Location: Better to stay in Tier1 or Tier 2 city, then you will have more options regarding hospital and other care. But you got to understand it is getting expensive in terms of medical care and treatment in India. No insurance available if you are 60 and above in some company they restrict to 55years. This issue will not arise in US since you are covered by medicare and medicaid.
2) Since you both prefer Indian food daily, facility at India might give you both more comfort than staying in Nursing home in US.
3) You also have to think about legal issues before moving. 4) If possible visit couple places and spend few days and make decision.
May God give all the strength, health and happiness to your family. Good Luck!!!

Retirement townships:

Dignity Lifestyle

Dignity Lifestyle is a 25 acre project by Dignity Foundation for active and productive living for the senior.
Dignity Lifestyle Township Neral- Matheran main Road,
Village Mangaon
P.O Neral District ? Raigad Maharashtra
Tel: 91-02148 - 236635 / 236639
Tele Fax No: 91-02148-236600
Email: [email][email protected][/email].
Website: http://www.dignitylifestyle.org/index.htm / http://www.dignityfoundation.com/

Classic Kudumbam

Nestled in the lush greenery of Sholinganallur, just 20 minutes from Adyar, is this idyllic, neighbourhood, where you could retire to an abode of absolute bliss.

The community has even got an emergency medical facility besides various other thoughtful features that are needed for an easy and comfortable life!


Classic Kudumbam
Classic Farms Road,
Off: Old Mahabalipuram
Sholinganallur, Chennai - 600119
Tel: +91 44 24502244 / 1127 / 2128
Tele Fax: +91 44 24502244
Mobile: +91 98400 15677 (Rajesh Shankar - Director Sales)
E-Mail: [email][email protected][/email]
Website: http://www.kudumbam.com/

Ashiana Utsav

Our mission facilitates at independent, secure and active those retirement life with comfort care and dignity.

Unit No. 4 & 5, 3 rd Floor
Plot No. D-2, Southern Park
Saket District Centre, Saket
New Delhi-110 017
Tel: (011) 42654265
Fax: (011) 42654200

Ashiana Bageecha Shopping Complex
Bhagat Singh Colony
Bhiwadi, Rajasthan
Tel: (01493) 230519, 230338
Fax: (01493) 23012
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Website: http://www.ashianautsav.com/utsav-web/index-0.htm

Athashri

Hassle-free, proactive living for senior citizens in the form of ?Athashri?


Pune, India
Tel: 020- 25440986/ 25462128
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Website: http://www.pscl.in/index_1.html

LIC HFL Care Homes

LICHFL Care Homes Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of LIC Housing Finance Ltd., inaugurated its first Assisted Living Community Centre in March 2006. In its first phase the Bangalore Project houses 98 independent cottages spread across 10 acres of verdant garden.

With the overwhelming response for its pilot project at Bangalore, Senior Citizens? Homes for community living holds a tremendous future. Therefore, LICHFL Care Homes plans new projects at Kochi, Bhubaneshwar, Kolkata, Haridwar, Delhi, etc. in the coming months.

2nd Floor, Bombay Life Building,
45/47, Veer Nariman Road,
Fort, Mumbai - 400 001
Tel: (91) (22) 2204 9799, 2204 9919, 2204 9682
Email: [email][email protected][/email]

Riverdale Consortium

Riverdale Retirement Resorts
India?s first and finest senior living community at Cochin, Kerala is ready and available for occupancy.

Kandanad 682305
Cochin, Kerala, India
Tel: 91-484- 2792510
E-mail: [email][email protected][/email]
Website: http://www.riverdaleresorts.com/index.htm

Golden Nest Senior Commune
Golden Nest is a joint venture by Vascon Engineers Pvt. Ltd. and Manisha Constructions.
Golden Nest
SR NO 15, Kalyani Nagar
Pune 411014, INDIA
Contact: Facility Manager
Mobile: 09850652187
Tel: +91 (020) 40044876
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Website: www.goldennestindia.com

Vishranthi Dhama

Nestled cozily in a green and serene 5 acre space on the picturesque Kanakapura Highway (NH 209), just 29 kms away from Bangalore city centre, Vishranthi Dhama is a haven of peace and tranquility, replete with all material comforts which you would look for in the city.

Vishranthi Dhama Resorts Pvt Ltd.
NH 209, Nettigere, Kanakapura Main Road, ( 29th Km)
Bangalore ? 560 062.
Tel: 91-80-28433089 / 28433090 / 26635048 / 26547275/
98452 90672
Email : [email][email protected][/email], [email][email protected][/email]
Website: www.vishrathidhama.com

Other NGO?s and associations working for the cause of the elders:

Nightingales Medical Trust (NMT)

Nightingales Medical Trust (NMT) is a non government organisation (NGO) dedicated to eldercare.

Nightingales Home Health Services 337, 2nd Cross, 1st Block,
R T Nagar, Bangalore - 560032
Ph: 080 - 23548444, 23548555
Email: [email][email protected][/email]
Website: http://www.nightingaleseldercare.com/html/aboutus.htm

HelpAge India

HelpAge India is secular, not-for-profit organization registered under the Societies? Registration Act of 1860.HelpAge India has 33 regional and branch offices located all over the country.
C-14 Qutab Institutional Area
New Delhi ? 110016
Ph: 011 41688955-56
E-mail: [email][email protected][/email]
Website: http://www.helpageindia.org/aboutus.php

Alzheimer?s and Related Disorders Society of India
Guruvayur Road, P.B.No. 53 Kunnamkulam - 680 503,
Kerala,India
Email : [email][email protected][/email]
Website: http://www.mykerala.net/alzheimer/index.html

Society for Serving Seniors (SSS):

30, Gruhalakshmi Colony,
Secunderabad 500015
Andhra Paredsh
Phone 27846631
Email: [email][email protected][/email]; [email][email protected][/email]
Website: http://societyforservingseniors.satyamcsr.org/

[adityanm]

. But you got to understand it is getting expensive in terms of medical care and treatment in India. No insurance available if you are 60 and above in some company they restrict to 55years. This issue will not arise in US since you are covered by medicare and medicaid

I appreciate your detailed response but do you have any real information on medical costs in India?
Medicaid is only for very poor people and not every provider accepts medicare which by the way is not free.
I assume the saving of medicare premium should be able to compensate for medical care without insurance.
As a self paying customer you will be a preferred patient by medical providers and can negotiate on your own.

[Sid]

I lost my grandmother due to Parkinson's, and it was very painful to see her condition deteriorate over the years. She was very well taken care of because she had a huge loving family. But as the condition worsened, her behavioral changes (suspicion, anger, irritation, foul language) were a little too hard to bear for people caring for her. Such circumstances take a very heavy toll on people caring for the patient, and it might be better to rely on professional care, rather than just relying on a single caregiver (spouse). Such professional help is much better in US, where caregivers understand such changes in personality due to the disease. You have to also think about management of your finances by a trust, when you yourselves are incapable. Such support is better in US as compared to India, where chances of getting duped are high.

Also, slightly off-topic from your original questions, but I feel that you have to be really careful about rising crimes against wealthy senior citizens in India.

[rajpoorna]

I appreciate your detailed response but do you have any real information on medical costs in India?

In India medical treatment costs a fraction of what it costs in USA or Europe. As you know there is no cure for Parkinson's disease. Medication are used to relieve symptoms. Surgical procedure can help but not fully. I don't have figures for ablative surgery, stimulation surgery or deep brain stimulation for PD. Approximate figures in $$$: Bypass Surgery $10,000, Liver Transplant $70,000, Knee Joint Replacement $5000, Lasik Surgery $800, Cataract Surgery $1300, Dental Implants $800, Each doctor visit costs Rs 250, Blood work Rs 2000 -4000, for medications monthly (eg:- Levodopa and carbidopamay) cost you around Rs 3000 -5000 depending upon severity.

[samv]

Just to give my data point: My FIL had a brain surgery for removal of a brain tumor in India performed by a reputed nuerosurgeon at Apollo hospital (which I found to be a quite good facility) followed by outptient chemo/radiation and I would estimate that his cost (doctors/hospital/onco. medication(indian versions)/radiation/imaging/lab etc) did not exceed USD 20K. I am guessing that cost for similiar level of care in US could have easily run into USD 100K if not more (I am purely guessing 20K hosp + 15K surgery staff + 20K radiation and imaging + 50K onco medication (american versions)+ 5K oncologist+ 5K lab & other).

Based on that I would say that India is at least 5X or more cheap in medical costs for comparable care. Of course in India some times comparable may not exist (or may not exist where you live.)

[srinpo]

To the OP adityanm,
I like to enquire about your well being & health, and any updates you have. Wish you well.