Parents thinking of moving back from Spain

zygurat789

McKneff wrote: »

Dad will pay tax the same as the rest of us. No more, no less.


I wonder how many pensioners who live here would be quite happy paying tax if they were getting over 3K a month between them.


Probably all of them....

But probably only those who are paying £2,936 between them not £4,112 like the OP's Dad.

mgdavid

zygurat789 wrote: »

But probably only those who are paying £2,936 between them not £4,112 like the OP's Dad.

<mystified>
where did those numbers come from?

mojod

zygurat789 wrote: »

Nothing beats the British NHS. In Spain the relatives are expected to do all the non-medical care of patients.

Really not true in my experience of the excellent Spanish health service. My son had a lengthy stay in a Malaga hospital (he was only a baby at the time, but same applies regardless) and although relatives could stay as long as they liked, sleeping overnight if they wanted, it wasn't "expected" at all. Certainly not by medical staff who were more than happy to reassure and encourage you that it was OK to go home for a while. Culturally, yes, maybe. The Spanish are very much more family orientated with larger families so it's more practical to arrange "shifts" of care, but really it's a case of wanting to stay with a relative and the patient wanting a loved one with them.

"Non medical care" - yes, "my water jug is nearly empty can you top it up for me?", does that need qualified staff if a family member is there? "the sun's getting in my eyes, can you just close that blind a bit please?" etc etc.

The comfort, standard of care, happiness of patient, peace of mind of relative etc must all surely be better, never mind the resources saved by leaving medically trained staff to do medical things.

No pressure at all though and of course, nurses will take over those duties if no-one is/can be around (they've got more time to do it!).

As you might have guessed ... was seriously impressed when he was there and glad it wasn't in the UK (oh, and they insist that the relative eats their rather nice hospital food too! lol)

zygurat789

mgdavid wrote: »

<mystified>
where did those numbers come from?

In reply to the previous post.
They are the annual tax liability of a couple whose income is £3k per month but split 50:50 and the annual tax liability of the OP's parents whose income is £3k but split £2,500 & £500..

zygurat789

mojod wrote: »

Really not true in my experience of the excellent Spanish health service. My son had a lengthy stay in a Malaga hospital (he was only a baby at the time, but same applies regardless) and although relatives could stay as long as they liked, sleeping overnight if they wanted, it wasn't "expected" at all. Certainly not by medical staff who were more than happy to reassure and encourage you that it was OK to go home for a while. Culturally, yes, maybe. The Spanish are very much more family orientated with larger families so it's more practical to arrange "shifts" of care, but really it's a case of wanting to stay with a relative and the patient wanting a loved one with them.

"Non medical care" - yes, "my water jug is nearly empty can you top it up for me?", does that need qualified staff if a family member is there? "the sun's getting in my eyes, can you just close that blind a bit please?" etc etc.

The comfort, standard of care, happiness of patient, peace of mind of relative etc must all surely be better, never mind the resources saved by leaving medically trained staff to do medical things.

No pressure at all though and of course, nurses will take over those duties if no-one is/can be around (they've got more time to do it!).

As you might have guessed ... was seriously impressed when he was there and glad it wasn't in the UK (oh, and they insist that the relative eats their rather nice hospital food too! lol)

Your post confirms what I said.
If you are old, on your own with no extended family to help it's not a good place.
If ever I go to Spain again I must remember to eat only in hospitals, their food is obviously so much better than their restaurants.

mojod

Maybe you have personal experience of this with older people in hospital there. I don't really, just friends that have/had in Spanish hospital, so all a bit anecdotal - Mine was admittedly based on younger people, therefore I bow to your knowledge!

However I have never, ever heard of anyone without regular visitors struggling there.

Spanish food? You've been eating in the wrong places lol

margaretclare

mojod wrote: »

Maybe you have personal experience of this with older people in hospital there. I don't really, just friends that have/had in Spanish hospital, so all a bit anecdotal - Mine was admittedly based on younger people, therefore I bow to your knowledge!

However I have never, ever heard of anyone without regular visitors struggling there.

Spanish food? You've been eating in the wrong places lol

We spent a few days in Alicante recently and ate lovely food everywhere.

Fortunately we were not obliged to avail ourselves of their hospitals, food or otherwise!

mojod

margaretclare wrote: »

We spent a few days in Alicante recently and ate lovely food everywhere.

Hehehe, my golden rules ...
Never eat anywhere where the menu is in English
Never eat anywhere that isn't at least 90% full of locals
Never eat anywhere with tablecloths unless going really posh
Never assume that menu del dia with 4 courses is too cheap
Never eat where you can see the sea

Bit extreme maybe, but it sure works! :rotfl: