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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Are there any countries out there that provide an equivalent level/amount of care for the elderly as one would expect at one of these expensive facilities but for a much more reasonable cost?  Or is this a US thing?[/quote]

My neighbor is of Indian descent and her father still lives in India.  Apparently, the gov. provides 24 hr care for him (he's 90+).  He can't come to the US anymore b/c they can no longer buy temporary health ins. for him.  And he gets better care in India.  [/quote]

He was likely a govt worker to get that.  But it doesn't matter really because in India you can spend the equivalent of ~$500 USD/month and have excellent round the clock nursing care--typically 2 nurses that work opposing shifts.  That would cost $20K+/month in US, likely closer to $30K and no guarantee that the nurses don't just not show up---nursing care is hard to get consistency for only $25/hour.  [/quote]

I am Indian and you are painting a really rosy picture here. The poverty in India is shocking to me when I go back. The reason why things are so cheap is because the average Indian lives on a few dollars a day and the entire country has rampant slavery and extreme labor abuses. Most likely said nurse heads home to a slum at night.

Most Indians are taken care of by extended family not just out of necessity, but out of tradition. [/quote]

I'm well aware of the poverty in India.  Married into an Indian family. I agree most are taken care of by the family, but [b]the fact is you can still get good in home care for a decent price.    Just like most UMC have a "driver" because it's only $250USD/month, and still relatively cheap for UMC+ Indians.[/b]  When you hire the in home help, you are providing them a safe, reliable job and paying them more than no job.  We hired actual nurses, not just a warm body to be there.  These were  nurses who had completed their degree and training.  They were happy to work in this environment rather than a hospital and they became family (we treated them well).  Brought them to USA when ILs came where they lived in our homes---we provided everything and paid them well, and when ILs passed, we worked to get them the documentation for them to remain in the USA and continue their lives here.  Win-win for everyone.  They were extremely well treated and  are forever grateful for being able to come to the USA.  Their being our family nurses put their lives on a whole new trajectory. [/quote]

Yes, because of rampant poverty, a massive population, income disparity, and lack of legal protections, UMC families (a tiny portion of the population) in India can afford to afford to have drivers, live in staff etc- something reserved for only the extremely wealthy in developed countries. Not sure it’s something to boast about.

And when you talk about bringing your employees to the US and “paying them well”  I certainly hope it was on par with the going local rates….not just relative to what they would have earned in India.[/quote]

First, we provided them a place to live, meals and all needs fully provided for.  Helped them get certified as nurses in the USA (paid for the classes/etc), also paid them a decent salary.  Not as high as nurses in USA, but when they are living with you and you are providing food, clothing, cell phones, everything, you don't need to be paying them $25+/hr.  We also paid all expenses (lawyers) to get them their green cards once we no longer needed their services---and they lived with us during that time until they got their nursing jobs.  After 5-6 months of them having their "real" nursing jobs, we helped them find an apartment in a safe area and got them furniture and settled into the apartment together. So yes, we paid them well, we paid $50K+ to get them their green cards, we provided them housing and all expenses (clothing, cell phones, etc) until they got "real jobs" and could afford to move out on their own.  They were family and still are.  They lived with us for 2 years after we no longer needed their services and they were able to move out.  
Above and beyond.  We could have just let them return to India once we no longer needed their services---but we didn't.  I would say they were well treated and well paid.  Without us, they would not be living in the USA (it's been 20 years and they are thriving, have their own families and kids and are so appreciative that they were able to come to USA).   [/quote]

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