Faced with unsatisfactory and/or expensive care alternatives some caregivers are sending their parents the way of tech support... to India.
To US caregivers India offers quality medical care, inexpensive prescription drugs, cheap English speaking labor and a culture that still values the elderly. So as long as you are comfortable with living abroad, or at least with sending your elders abroad, you can get loads of care at an affordable price in India. Is India the Shangri La of elder care? If this becomes a serious trend, we shall see.
I have to wonder if this catches on what will be the consequences? I can think of several, mostly related to running out of funds. For example, In the US, where yearly care in a nursing home is easily over $40, 000 per year, those who deplete their assets have the costs of their care paid for by Medicaid, a joint federal and state program for the very poor. Nursing homes are not required by some states, including IL to take Medicaid, so to get a loved one in a nursing home one often needs some resources prior to spending down to Medicaid. I would certainly hope that caregivers keep those details in mind when planning to outsource Grandma.
This is actually an interesting reversal of an common practice: Using foreign caregivers to keep the elderly in their own homes. In the Chicago area it is very common to have Polish caregivers for the elderly. The rates are relatively affordable for a live in caregiver: $75- 90 per day plus a placement fee equivalent to one or two months salary to the agency that provides the worker. Of course there can be pesky visa and Nanny Tax issues with a live-in worker.
As for our Grandma, we will keep her here. I tend to think that her love of all foods deep fried, boiled or bland would be satisfied in India. Plus, we love having her here.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
It is an interesting solution, though not practical for most people.
I agree, Peggy. I am guessing that similar opportunities probably exist in other countries.
Many US seniors move to warmer states in their retirements. I don't think that it is too much of a stretch to think of them going to countries that are more friendly to their needs.
The guy in the article WENT WITH his parents to India, a place he's been before, so I guess it is working great for him. Some do go to Florida to retire, I think it's an actual LAW in New Jersey and some to Mexico (lower cost-o-living). My mother is just about to retire in D.C., but she has to sell her house first. Isn't that a crime!? I'd have her here, but I don't think she'd come this far.
If I were to outsource Grandma, I would absolutely go with her! I have always been interested in India.
Bummer that your Mom has to give up her home in retirement. If I were her I would head to Scotland in a hot minute.
Post a Comment