Moving an elderly parent to Spain

My  late mother  had  Dementia,  due to family issues  it was agreed  to move her to another  Care home, But  conquests  for my mother  were Catastrophic  end up returning  to previous  home,

That was our experience  and been  informed  that moving  a Patient  with Dementia  is unwise, learned at a later date

 Take care

You might be able to apply for a Family Reunification Visa for her.

You would need to be legally resident in Spain and not just living here on the strength of an Irish passport.

https://balcellsgroup.com/residence-visa-for-family-reunification-in-spain/#:~:text=The%20family%20reunification%20or%20family,a%20residence%20and%20work%20permit.

I have no experience of your circumstances but first of all you would need to check with the Spanish Consulate in the area your mother in law lives in the UK as to the type of visa she will require to join you in Spain. You may find the contents of this link helpful:

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/londres/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Visado-de-reagrupacion-familiar-en-regimen-general.aspx

Your mother in law will be able to claim state retirement pension in Spain but any other social security benefits, for example, attendance allowance or DLA etc., are not exportable as your mother in law would not satisfy the conditions of the Withdrawl Agreement between the UK and the EU. She would however be entitled to Spainish healthcare and all you need to do is apply for an S1. The contents of these links may be helpful:

https://www.gov.uk/claim-benefits-abroad/disability-benefits

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthcare-in-spain-including-the-balearic-and-canary-islands

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthcare-in-spain-including-the-balearic-and-canary-islands#:~:text=You%20may%20be%20entitled%20to%20state%20healthcare%20paid%20for%20by,for%20more%20information%20about%20eligibility.

As for nursing homes and dealing with dementia you might find these links helpful:

https://www.ageinspain.org/dementia

https://euroweeklynews.com/2022/06/30/home-care-in-spain-for-expats/

https://administracion.gob.es/pag_Home/en/Tu-espacio-europeo/derechos-obligaciones/ciudadanos/asistencia-sanitaria/centros-atencion-sociosanitaria.html

Hello. I find the question strange. You have known this lady all your lives yet ask for advice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. I will tell you to the point leave her in the world she relates to. Its not about you one bit but this person. Leave her be. She is now out to pasture as I am. Trust my words. R. 

Sort a home carer, sort a UK help assisted DWP funding whatever. Don't even try to relocate. Do you not have brothers or sisters? in the UK? Let nature take her natural course with the lady in question. Monies do not come into the factor with a loved one unless there is an ulterior motive. Regarding costs you are better off in the UK she will be supported full stop in a world she relates to.  Most if not all people are covered Health wise plus helped money wise to pay bills  whether one has paid into the system or not, unlike Spain. Sincerely. R.

This person  is walking  in a nightmare  for both  parties  involved,  Taking a patient  out of familiar  surroundings  is not advised,  Talk with medical  professionals  first in UK, In a language  you understand 

Wise words

Although she does not, fortunately, have dementia, my 97 yo mother lives in a very good small Residencia. The fees are some 2800€ per month plus any required medications etc. Her house has been sold to pay for this, as is expected.

Can I say, I asked for advice, not an attack. She is my husband's mum and I do NOT know her well. We have worked with the UK system for the past 8 years to the best of our ability. As she owns her own home we make sure her carer's (4 times per day) are paid for, as she qualifies for very little help, and we have no interest in her pension, money etc as implied. We enquired about cost of care here in Spain, so that we would be able to top up her pension until her house can be sold for her care.There is only one sibling living nearby (who is moving abroad). I am perfectly well aware that the ultimate aim would be to keep a person with dementia in familiar surroundings, as I cared for both my grandmother and father, who both had dementia, until they passed. However, thanks to new UK rules and regulations, if we were to try to keep her in her own home, my husband would have to move to the UK without me, as he would need an income/pension of over £28,000 to bring a non-uk national with him. His mum has fallen a number of times, the most recent resulting in a broken ankle, necessitating 3 months hospital n rehab care and was sent home recently, having been deemed by the power that be, as being 'fit'. We are in a catch 22 situation where we want her to be safe and well and happy, yet being unable to be there all the time ourselves and to be accused of not researching all the options, being interested in her money and simply whisking her away to a foreign country, without allowing her to live out her remaining years in 'familiar' pastues, is hurtful, upsetting and unnecessary. We love her and want her to be safe and cared for. So, in future, please do not comment negatively on people when you don't have all the facts!!!!!!! All I wanted was advice from some kind people who might have found themselves in a similar situation not an unnecessary and unhelpful opinion from someone who has nothing positive to say.

Sincerely C.