Today’s Photo: Catedral de La Inmaculada Concepción in Cuenca
To all South of Zero readers. Our blog has been mainly about those retiring in Ecuador and I’m assuming that most of you are of retirement age. Since Mary and I have been living in Cuenca life has been WAY better than we ever imagined. We’ve been pushing the boundaries every day and expanding our sphere of knowledge. We walk a little farther, explore that street we’ve never been on… seek out the unknown, go where no Xpadorian has gone before. And always be willing to check out a new place to eat that friends recommend (thanks Bo and Linda). Ecuador is a land of enchantment. This country has sooooo much to offer that if Cuenca isn’t right for you, you will be able to find some place here that is close to perfection.
What I want to talk about today is for those of you out there that have a family member that is either handicapped, like my brother Dave, or an elderly parent that needs fulltime caregiving, or have thought about what you would do if, God forbid, anything were to happen to yourself or your loving mate. I struggled for 27 years to solve the problem of what I was going do with my brother Dave.
Dave (pronounced day-bee by the staff at Años Dorados) the man of the hour
In 1985, at the age of 25, he suffered a traumatic brain injury while motorcycling in the dessert. When my mother passed away ten years later the responsibility for his care became mine. We struggled to find a place that he himself could afford on his disability income. Interesting enough his income was too high to qualify for some programs and others were not suitable for his kind of disability. The lack of short term memory leaves him very vulnerable to those who would take advantage of him. Eventually he came to live with me and my wife Mary. As you can imagine it was very stressful for the three of us.
The truth is Dave was the impetus for our move to Ecuador. My wife stumbled upon the article titled “Live like a King off your Social Security.” It went on to describe Ecuador’s affordability and suddenly the light bulb went off that Dave could afford to have his own full time housekeeper and cook. We immediately set the plan in motion not knowing that it would take nearly two and a half years to sell our house. In the meantime a team of doctors were discussing plans to build an assisted living facility in Cuenca.
Mary with one of the residents outside of Dave’s room
Caregivers from Años Dorados
Any of you who have researched assisted living in the States know that IT’S NOT CHEAP!!!!!!! Three to four thousand dollars or more per month is typically what you’re looking at. What are the chances that your relative makes this much and that YOU will be able to cover the difference? The monthly cost alone can easily exceed the car payment of a BMW. Sobering… Well, there is a solution in Cuenca, Ecuador. It’s called Años Dorados (Golden Years). My brother lives there now and from our personal experience it’s a God’s send. Doctors regularly attend in house, medical personnel are available 24 hours a day, his medications and meals are monitored daily and tender loving care is the norm. They clean his room, wash his clothes, he even gets a haircut once a month. The best thing for our family is the fact that Dave can afford to take care of his needs without monetary contribution from anyone else.
Attentive staff member at Años Dorados
Tender loving care at Años Dorados
Another caregiver welcomes a returning resident
You can always find El General sitting with the pretty girls
Steve and “amigo”
p.s. Today is Louise’s 93rd birthday
The Colonel
Eva, the beauty queen at Años Dorados
Mary and Sonia, the woman in charge
So, if future retirement in Ecuador is on your radar and you like the thought of being able to have the time of your life in a land where the people are so nice and the cost of living is so reasonable, you can rest assure that your loved one will be well taken care of at Años Dorados.
So glad that Dave has a safe place to live and that you can both have peace of mind over his care. That in itself is priceless.
You are so right. It is a relief not to worry about his daily needs and it gives Mary and myself the opportunity to explore Cuenca together. Steve
i am a gerontology RN who knows first hand the astronomical cost for care of a disabled or elderly love one in the U.S. i am so glad that you have found a special place for Dave and it gives you peace of mind.
Thanks Rob. Like Patty said peace of mind is priceless. Steve
Yes, what Patty said!
This is great information, and sure that other expats are faced with similiar situations.
Sharing!
Leigh, please pass on the info about assisted living in Ecuador. It really is peace of mind knowing that there are options should you ever need it. Steve and Mary
Steve and Mary,
This is such an inspiring and heart-warming post! The lifestyle candid photography and your testimony of brother Dave’s loving care he’s receiving at Anos Dorados is another well-deserved kudo for the special medical care special needs and aged residents of Cuenca can hope for. I loved seeing Dave’s photo after hearing his story, and the joy you captured of the residents of Anos Dorados left me smiling. Thanks for such a well-documented, informative, and beautifully photographed story.
Linda
I think we are starting to develop a mutual admiration society. I’m loving your blog too. Mary
Mary and Steve,
Thank you so much for sharing your story; it brought tears to my eyes. You are such an inspiration to all of us. God bless you! ~ Connie
Thank you Connie. We wanted to let others know that there is an option for caregivers in Cuenca. Mary
What a beautiful and informative post! It’s beautiful on so many levels – it reflects your love for your family, your love for those beautiful residents and staff at the home, and the time it took to share this information with us! thank you for the tour of this lovely home and for introducing us to so many beautiful people!! thank you! z
garsk z, thanks.
Do you know if there’s a waiting list there? Thanks
Can you give us an idea of the price structure as compared with US Assisted Living pricing? Thanks.
Their rates start at $800 per month, Dave pays more for a private room and bath. When we looked into assisted living in the States the cheapest (for an inclusive package similiar to Años Dorados) we could find was about three grand a month. Mary
This looks and sounds like a wonderful place, but it looks like the average age is 85. Do you know if there are any places that provide services for younger disabled people in Cuenca? My daughter with Down syndrome who I would like to bring with me to Ecuador is only 19 and I cannot see her spending her days surrounded by octogenarians. She’s very active and athletic and does well with her peers. Are you aware of any programs for the developmentally disabled, or the cost of individual caregivers?
Sorry Rachel, I’m unaware of any programs. However, Ecuador is full of very caring individuals. Mary