retiring here

[gWaPito]

My gut feeling is that the NHS is not structured to take care of elderly folks needing complex care strategies. That's not to say it's not good at it, just that it's getting overwhelmed by increases in demand and reported decreases in resources.

So what I'm getting around to saying is that I think care for the elderly will be first to be dropped to specialist providers. Just how that'll get funded remains to be seen, but surely the ever increased costs of elderly care cannot be serviced from current budgets.

On the other hand, this care of elderly seem to be a recognised opportunity in the Philippines with the increase in so-called retirement villages etc with included medical care facilities.

Food for thought

You are still going to be better off here with health and elderly care compared to the Philippines whether our system changes drastically or not.

Like tiger31 said, family ties are what keep most of us here.
I'm about to become a grandfather for the first time which I'm really excited about.

I have two baby boys as well as a grown up son and daughter both of whom are getting married Sept 2014.

My daughter said the other day not to worry about being alone when you get old she said I can go live with them hahaha.


I wasn't saying this 7 years ago when I set up business in Panacan Davao. I was going to move lock stock and barrel and buy a plush home in Woodridge and live happily ever after.

It didn't turn out that way.
That was my first big financial hit.

Like Brian, I'm grateful I didn't sell my house here. ..okay its on an interest only but at least I'm able to pay it off by the time im 65.

The day I stop work is the day I give up on life.

[Michael Parnham]

You are still going to be better off here with health and elderly care compared to the Philippines whether our system changes drastically or not.

Like tiger31 said, family ties are what keep most of us here.
I'm about to become a grandfather for the first time which I'm really excited about and I have two babies and a grown up son who to is getting married soon they too are trying for babies. I'm a family man through and through, it's the way I've been made.
My eldest said the other day not to worry about being alone when you get old she said I can go live with them hahaha.
I wasn't saying this 7 years ago when I set up business in Panacan Davao. I was going to move lock stock and barrel and buy a plush home in Woodridge and live happily ever after. It didn't turn out that way.
That was my first big financial hit.

Like Brian, I'm grateful I didn't sell my house here. ..okay its on an interest only but at least I'm able to pay it off by the time im 65.
The day I stop work is the day I give up on life.

The day I retired was the start of my life, no work, no worries, no mortgage, beautiful home, Philippines twice a year, Cornwall every year, new car every year (no finance), could do anything I wanted in life and no problems in life until, I met my Beautiful Maritess, I then gave everything away, ended up with nothing zilch, worked all my life without a single day off work ever, lost everything I'd worked for. But I don't regret it, because I found what I've always wanted and now I'm happy!

[gWaPito]

The day I retired was the start of my life, no work, no worries, no mortgage, beautiful home, Philippines twice a year, Cornwall every year, new car every year (no finance), could do anything I wanted in life and no problems in life until, I met my Beautiful Maritess, I then gave everything away, ended up with nothing zilch, worked all my life without a single day off work ever, lost everything I'd worked for. But I don't regret it, because I found what I've always wanted and now I'm happy!

I'm well happy for you Michael. I tried to give you a reputation. .apparently I must spread them around.

I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but, I do find it liberating and refreshing talk like this. .similar to leaving the confessional box. .you could do cartwheels

[Terpe]

You are still going to be better off here with health and elderly care compared to the Philippines whether our system changes drastically or not.

I really believe that's a debatable issue.
It certainly hinges around personal circumstances and family trust.

It's very easy to think that our families will take care of us when that time comes, but all I ask is that you think seriously and with honesty about that prospect.
We're not talking about the normal active and reasonably healthy 65 year old.
We're talking about relying on family to undertake the everyday personal care of those who cannot take care to themselves.
At it's simplest level that entails help with personal hygiene, continence management, assistance with meal preparation, assistance with eating, personal assistance and simple daily medication/treatments.

Don't be lulled into a relaxed sense of security. It's no easy task at all. Not everyone can cope with that. Here in UK the vast majority of folks do not want to cope with that, that's why we have a culture of sticking the vunerable elderly into care homes.
Easy to say, but very rarely happens. Often it become a full time job with little or no respite.

I'm not at all convinced I'd be living a life worth living here in UK under such circumstances. As it stands right now I'd be so much happier with my extended Philippine family around me and taking care of me and bringing laughter and shining moments my way.

Just one negative aspect to retirement prospects for me here in UK

[gWaPito]

I really believe that's a debatable issue.
It certainly hinges around personal circumstances and family trust.

It's very easy to think that our families will take care of us when that time comes, but all I ask is that you think seriously and with honesty about that prospect.
We're not talking about the normal active and reasonably healthy 65 year old.
We're talking about relying on family to undertake the everyday personal care of those who cannot take care to themselves.
At it's simplest level that entails help with personal hygiene, continence management, assistance with meal preparation, assistance with eating, personal assistance and simple daily medication/treatments.

Don't be lulled into a relaxed sense of security. It's no easy task at all. Not everyone can cope with that. Here in UK the vast majority of folks do not want to cope with that, that's why we have a culture of sticking the vunerable elderly into care homes.
Easy to say, but very rarely happens. Often it become a full time job with little or no respite.

I'm not at all convinced I'd be living a life worth living here in UK under such circumstances. As it stands right now I'd be so much happier with my extended Philippine family around me and taking care of me and bringing laughter and shining moments my way.

Just one negative aspect to retirement prospects for me here in UK

Peter, I don't expect my darling daughter thought for one moment the implications of taking on an old fart like me in the hopefully 3 decades to come, I'm using my mum as a benchmark.

My ex ex father in law was unceremoniously dumped into a care home and that was where he died.

Don't you think what you Steve and Stewart are doing appeals to me? I can tell you it does. I'd give my high teeth for what you guys have got. .im jealous!

I've married 2 filipina Peter. .both have left me an emotional wreck and in financial straights.

I would love to set up home there with family who's going to stand by me. .for sure I'd lay my life down for them.

My daughter says I've been so unlucky coz it was Filipinas who looked after her granddad in the care home. .really really wonderful people. .
My faith at the moment is shot with the opposite sex department.

[gWaPito]

Not all elderly end up in care homes. Would be interesting is there were any stats on this.
My grandparents were not in care homes neither was my dad. .Most led active lives until death.

All the more important we take responsibility for our own health early on, giving us a bigger chance thus saving the heartache for family and friends.

[marksroomspain]

I really believe that's a debatable issue.
It certainly hinges around personal circumstances and family trust.

It's very easy to think that our families will take care of us when that time comes, but all I ask is that you think seriously and with honesty about that prospect.
We're not talking about the normal active and reasonably healthy 65 year old.
We're talking about relying on family to undertake the everyday personal care of those who cannot take care to themselves.
At it's simplest level that entails help with personal hygiene, continence management, assistance with meal preparation, assistance with eating, personal assistance and simple daily medication/treatments.

Don't be lulled into a relaxed sense of security. It's no easy task at all. Not everyone can cope with that. Here in UK the vast majority of folks do not want to cope with that, that's why we have a culture of sticking the vunerable elderly into care homes.
Easy to say, but very rarely happens. Often it become a full time job with little or no respite.

I'm not at all convinced I'd be living a life worth living here in UK under such circumstances. As it stands right now I'd be so much happier with my extended Philippine family around me and taking care of me and bringing laughter and shining moments my way.

Just one negative aspect to retirement prospects for me here in UK

Thats what my wife loves about me is that I have looked after my parents all my life and still have my father living at home with us at the ripe old age of 78.

He is failing in health also his memory is not too good but I would never abandon him no matter how hard it gets and my wife has made me swear never to put him into care, as they both get on like a house on fire and she deems it remarkable that some of us westerners still have values like the filipinos.

[gWaPito]

You're a lucky man to have such an understanding loving wife Mark.

Many of us western guys in UK with Filipino values

Although my mum would call it old fashioned values.

Nowt wrong with being old fashioned

[marksroomspain]

Cheers gwaps we still have our little disagreements (tampo lol) but we are in early stages but my family adores her and she has a bloody mindset like no other...

Anyway I really do hope you find the happiness that you certainty deserve take care buddy...

[gWaPito]

Cheers gwaps we still have our little disagreements (tampo lol) but we are in early stages but my family adores her and she has a bloody mindset like no other...

Anyway I really do hope you find the happiness that you certainty deserve take care buddy...

Thanks Mark

You all take care too

[tiger31]

aint it ironic when you bring a child into the world and your wiping there backside changing nappies then you get old and then need your daughter to wipe your .... and clean you as you get old and unable to do it yourself DREAD THE THOUGHT what goes around comes around

[Terpe]

It's true that there a many pensioners who have a reasonable standard of living.
They are the ones who are in receipt of their state pension PLUS one or more other sources of retirement income.

The majority of pensioners are not enjoying a relaxed standard of living.
Too many pensioners, especially those living alone, cannot afford to eat well and greatly suffer during winter-time trying to put by enough money to keep warm.

Reading what Steve mentions it seems that the £22500 is the figure that most people aspire to for a reasonable retirement life. That what they imagine they could live well on.

Being 65 and retired isn't easy to visualise in terms of needed financials.
It's still a young age, many 65 year olds continue to work.
Being retired doesn't mean costing less to live than it did before retirement. It's comparative. Folks have more time available to them. Unless they stay at home in their armchair watching TV the living costs don't change much. Mostly their income has dived down. But they still need to live a life, still need entertainment, still need the same foods and general housekeeping. Still want holidays and outings, probably more than when they were working.

My advice to everyone is to take some actions now to secure a happy and financially stress free retirement.
Not being alone in your sunset years is key IMHO