Mexican Real Estate: Assisted Living & Nursing Homes
20 June 2008
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18 Comments
By: Khaki Scott
The Baby Boomer nickname is changing to Active Adults, mostly because nearly 8,000 Boomers turn 60 years of age every day of the year and almost 70% of them will have to continue working past retirement age. One of their lifestyle options is moving south of the border and it looks as if their numbers, in Mexico alone, are expected to swell to an estimated 10 to 15 million between now and 2025. As their numbers increase, we are seeing a corresponding increase in the cost of living in all of the areas of Mexico that are well known for having long-term, well developed expat communities. In fact, while daily living expenses remain relatively low, home prices are now reaching the outrageous sums that expats thought they were leaving behind in the States. This will not deter them from moving to Mexico, of course, because they really do go there to enjoy the tranquil, simpler - and yes, less expensive - lifestyle. However, the specter of needing additional income is very likely to mandate that significant numbers of these Active Adults either find - or make - work for themselves in Mexico.
A hint to one of the best future segments of business in Mexico can be found in almost every sentence of the paragraph above. The American immigrants to Mexico are mostly at retirement age, at least in the beginning of this migratory phenomenon. They will be moving, some of them, far from home and facing the prospect of leaving behind aging parents who need either assisted living or nursing home care. Within a few short years, the Active Adult generation will also need assisted living and/or nursing home care. Wonder of wonders: Mexico has relatively few of these types of facilities. The market is wide open and initial investment is within reach of almost everyone.
Major Issues
The cost of assisted living and nursing home care, in Mexico, can be as little as 20% of the cost of the same care in the U.S. As of now, even this modest cost must be paid out of pocket, since Medicare / Medicaid cannot (yet) be used in Mexico. This should soon change, first because fifteen million organized absentee ballots is a strong inducement to lawmakers back home and, second, the Medicare / Medicaid savings to the American taxpayers will be enormous.
If Medicare / Medicaid remains as is, what is likely to happen, in the short term, is that potential assisted living and nursing home patients will move to Mexico during their "pay down" phase. This is the time they would be required to be "private pay" patients in the U.S. Then, when they go into the 100% funded by Medicare / Medicaid stage of their care, they will come back to the U.S. and tap the national budget on the wallet. The American taxpayer will not be amused and the politicians who refused to vote to allow Medicare / Medicaid to be used outside the country will be in deep trouble. To avoid that situation, it is expected that it will not be long before politicians see the logic of voting to allow Medicare / Medicaid to be used wherever qualified individuals choose to live.
Business Opportunities for Whom?
What does this mean to Active Adults who plan on starting their own business in Mexico? The concept of "Find a Need and Fill It" is alive and well on this issue. Shared living homes can be started by anyone. Assisted living facilities can be started by almost anyone and require a minimum of expertise. The homes must be safe, staff members must be good to residents and the food must be nutritious. Planned activities and competent health monitoring are absolute necessities. The home-sharing concept, as well as the assisted living concpt are both relatively easy to start and to maintain. Opening a nursing home in the States is a big-bucks operation, usually carried out by heavy-hitting investors. Opening a nursing home in Mexico is something that is within the financial reach of U.S. nurses and allied health professionals. This is an opportunity to start and grow a business in an arena that never would have been open to this level of health care provider in the States. Who knows? The quality of care might just be many times better if the nursing homes are owned and operated by health care professionals who have actually worked at every level of this kind of provision of care.
Choosing a Location
The one thing that American assisted living residents and nursing home patients, living in Mexico, complain about is a feeling of loneliness when surrounded by Spanish-speakers. They feel cut-off from the rest of the world, which is not surprising. The wise investor will look for a location that is near excellent health care, and in an area, such as the State of Yucatan, where the atmosphere is more European, has a less transient touristy feel, a bilingual staff is readily available, and expats are integrated into the local community, rather than living in "Little USA" enclaves. On the other hand, if the potential investor intends to cater to those who have excellent health care coverage in the States, such as veterans, they might want to open their facility near the Texas border, which has easy access to many V.A. outpatient clinics and full service hospitals.
Related Links
A Must Read article: Moving Mom to Mexico
For more information on Assisted Living and Nursing Home Facilities in Mexico: Long-term care south of the border (read the comments too)
| Maintain an active life in one of the premier adult retirement communities in mexico. |
Where can I fimd more information nursing homes in Tijuana, Mexico and about “moving mom to Mexico. Apreciate a prompt response. Thank you.
Irma
First I need to know the location, phone numbers or e-mail address of two nursing homes in Tijuana Mexico. I know of a handicap female who is staying in a rehabilitaion home in El Rosario Baja California. This woman is being taken care by male patients, She is the only female there. Please help asap God Bless You
Hi, I invite you to visit the site http://www.cielitolindoassistedliving.com , just started two weeks ago; and finally I found a beautiful place in San Miguel de Allende where to move a relative with Alzheimer’s. They have a beautuful facility also a great nurse’s and doctor’s attentions. highly recommendable
I cannot get the Moving Mom to Mexico article to open. Anyone have any luck. Anyone know about nursing homes or assisted living in Puerto V. ??? Thinking of moving and would need to take Mom.
This is good information.
Also, ABC World News Tonight recently reported that many retirees going to Mexico for assisted living care.
The article “Retirees Flock South of the Border for Savings; Mexico Offers Full-Time Assisted Living Developments at Half the Price”, by Jeffrey Kofman, reports on nursing home care in Mexico.
Costs in Mexican nursing homes for comparable US care facilities are frequently one third.
Happily Retired in Mexico,
Joe Chapala
Joe, The expats at Chapala have had many years of organization and, until recently, were a little bit ahead of expats on the East Coast with respect to the issues of assisted living and nursing homes. However, our numbers are currently sufficient for us to begin facing the need for such services for ourselves, our spouses, and even for some of our elderly parents. The Merida Men’s Club and individual expats recently began addressing that issue and we are well pleased with their progress thus far. Read Yucatan Living’s article written by a reader who is living through this now. In addition, potential expats can now rest assured that, after living out 30 or 40 years in retirement in Mexico, one need not fear being ripped away, in advanced age, from friends and loved ones to come back to what might now feel very much like a “foreign” country.
I am looking for anyone who could help me locate a nursing home for my ill grandmother. She lives in Jalisco Mexico, and I have no idea how, or where to start looking for a place. Any help will be gratly appreciated.
Hi Felina,
I house retirees in need of assistance (meal preparation, maid and laundry service) in darling two bedroom/ two bath condos. A top-notch spa + beauty salon, restaurants, shops are downstairs (just past the large pool and palapa) in the marina promenade. Marina Vallarta is luxury living and all is provided (including legal retirement status papers, utilities, maintenance, 24hr security for $2,800 per month. I do have a three month minimum.
Let me know if I can help you and your mama: kendradel@gmail.com.
Warmly,
Kendra
Felina,
You might also want to check out http://www.cielitolindoassistedliving.com if your mom requires 24 hr attention. It’s in San Miguel de Allende- lovely!
Kendra
How Wonderful!! Just stumbled onto this web-site as I am looking for employment here in Tijuana and surrounding areas.My name is Janice. I am an American Citizen and Native San Diegan of 49 young years.I speak English and Poquito Espanol I have lived here in Tijuana for three years and have been in the nursing field for six years. My problem is that darn border crossing every day! So,I am looking for a Private Nursing Position/Home Health Aide/Live-in Home Care Aide.I have a California Drivers Lic. and a clean driving record. I am a National Registered Medical Assistant and Basic 1 EMT. I am certified in CPR & AED though the American Heart Association. I have Security and Back Ground Check Clearance through the San Diego Police Departments Live Scan Service.I have worked for Sharp Hospital for two years working just about every department there is including Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Rehab facilities. I have four years of specialized experience in working with the elderly, as well as Alzheimer Patients and the Mentally Challenged or Disabled. which includes assisted living care and 24 hour live-in care. If your looking for Home Care for yourself or a Loved One go no further and give me a call at home(664-378-1101)or E-mail me at (janiceespinoza49@yahoo.com)I can provide resume and references upon request.
Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you . Janice
News from Baja California: Serena Senior Care operates an assisted living facility in Rosarito Beach, known as Harmony House. Small, state of the art, well managed and well-trained staff.
Serena also markets a membership that provides health care, property management, roadside assistance, etc., for retirees. The largest Affiliate Directory for providers, and includes discounts for all services as well as restaurants, all serviced with a 24/7/365 bilingual call center. Affiliated with major hospitals in Mexico.
Covers Rosarito, Tijuana, Ensenada and Guadalupe Valley; expanding to Cabo and San Miguel de Allende in 2011-12.
http://www.serenafullassistance.com
Full disclosure, I am affiliated with Serena. KenBell@serenafullassistance.com
Hello to all:
Well, wow! Let me introduce myself. I am a nurse from the U.S. now living in Oaxaca, mexico. I have been trying to start a nursing home care business but no much luck. I speak,read and write fluent Spanish. I have clinic experience, hospital experience,nursing home, long term care and assisted living experience. The majority of my background is in hospital experience at the Veterans Administration Hospitals. This included O.R.,E.R. acute medicine. general medicine,ambulatory care and long term care in neurological diseases. I moved to mexico because of my Mother who is elderly and will be needing my help in years to come. There is a relatively large ex-pat community here lots of whom are past retirement age who will be needing care soon. If anyone knows of any facilities not far from Oaxaca who may wish to hire an experienced nurse who is completely bi-lingual they can contact me at the above e-mail. Also if anyone knows of anyone in need of home care in the Oaxaca area, they can also contact me. Thanks!
I am looking for a Veteran Retirement Community in Mexico. Please help. Thank you.
Rhonda Polak
hi, i would like comment about our convalescent home, it name is Amy´s Convalescent Homes, it is the best option for assisted living, It´s located in the wonderful place of Los Cabos Mexico.
if you want to know more information please visit our website:
http://web.me.com/hugohermosillo/amy´sconvalescenthomes/Home.html
assisted living is nice if you got some people and a home that cares very much to its occupants ,;”
My mom lives in Mexico City and I am looking for a top notch facility there or in Monterrey, where her sister lives. Can someone please guide me?
Thanks,
Cecilia
I need to find an assisted living home for my dad, he lives in cuernavaca, He is 96 years old and nearly blind, he walks very slowly
but his mind is still very sharp.I hope someone can help me.
Thank you
Laura
How do you get and elderly parent who need 24hr care to Mexico? I would not be able to take her. Do they have a service you can get to take them to a nursing home in Mexico?
Thank you
K
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