Care nursing Homes

Hi,

As far as I'm aware there is no care system for the elderly in Spain as the authorities expect the families to care for relatives. There are care homes but they are all Privately owned and are expensive. There are many home care service providers, which are also expensive,  but they will tailor care to your needs. 

Steve 

Hi Steve 

Thank you for this information as it does concern me if  both my parents health declines and I am stuck in the Uk.

I will make provisions for this just in case.

Tim

Hi, about the care you said I can but am not a nurse and am not a doctor but I have an experience to look after an elderly people like cleaning, bathing and shopping for them. I lived in villamartin and I drive as well. Thanks

There are care homes here which cater mainly to less well off Spanish nationals, they also take expats of every nationality. Yes, they are privately run, but have agreements with local authorities and Valencia I understand.

My mother entered one when she left hospital after breaking her hip, I was informed on Friday evening that she was leaving, regardless, on Tuesday and where was she going? She was wheelchair bound and impossible for her to come to my house. She was too ill to be able to cope with anything herself. It was a nightmare and in the end at the last minute we managed to find a place in one of these Residencias through the good offices of a Spanish friend. It was not hideously expensive, basically 1800 per month, which, granted is not cheap, but that’s less than 500 per week for 24 hour  staffing, physiotherapy, laundry, medical etc . It ran obviously on volume, it had about 100 residents, with varying stages of mobility and mental capacity, although it was not catering for seriously mentally challenged.

She was there for about 4 months until a place in a smaller private home became available. Her house has been sold to meet the bills. The home is very good, private rooms c/w own shower room etc.  More expensive than the larger place, but still considerably cheaper than uk equivalent. She now pays about 2600 per month. NB these are both classed as Residencias and not Nursing Homes in the sense that we understand. There is a doctor attached to the place, on call if necessary and a nurse there 5 days per week. The auxiliaries can of course always call an ambulance in an emergency at the weekends. The previous home, presumably because of its size, had a doctor with his own office who seemed to be available at least some hours daily and a full time nurse, including weekends.

I am impressed with the facilities and even the larger place seemed to be well run, very clean and although all places could do with extra staff, that is a universal problem. Prior to the Covid saga, there was no visiting restriction in either place.

Hi Stephanie,

That is really good information and I hope all goes well.

My Parents are all good but seeing their friend with dementia made me think of the care system in Spain.

They have been so looked after by Doctors over the years in Spain but I could not see care for more serious issues.

Thank you so much for this important information.

regards Tim.

Hi Tim

I would advise you to start researching online what may be available so that at least you have some basic information. We had a dreadful time, especially over a weekend, as I only knew of two homes in the area, both of which were full to capacity with waiting lists.

There are also nursing/ care agencies, 3C is one which comes to mind, which can provide at home care.

Both of the Residencias where my mother was/is, have independent living facilities, under the aegis of the Residencia, effectively self contained apartments for rent, which allow for a much greater degree of independence. There is also a similar place on the outskirts of Benidorm, Casa Patricia, which is similarly organised, living accommodation with access to facilities. I understand it may be quite expensive, but looks very nice!

From my own experience I really urge you to do as much research as you can,. I am lucky in that I speak reasonable Spanish, but although many places have English speaking staff, this isn’t universal. We were at our wits end until our Spanish friend pulled some strings, starting from no knowledge late on a Friday wasn’t ideal!

Best of luck

stephani

Stephanie,

Really appreciate this information.

Aftercare really looks a issue in Spain and this concerns me.

Thank you very much for your help.

Regards Tim.

Hi,

Stephanie mentioned Ciudad Patricia retirement village which is just outside Benidorm. It is an excellent and well run retirement village with all the facilities required. But very expensive.......

https://www.ciudadpatriciabenidorm.com/

Steve 

Steve,

Appreciate this information thank you.

Tim