Experience finding Geriatric Home

[ExpatLDC]

My mother has been in Buenos Aires since 1995. She is a US citizen, now a permanent resident (has DNI, etc.). She has been living in a rental in the city. Her mobility and health have gone downhill since the fall and she now has 24/7 care thorough an agency that I am fortunately able to pay via direct bank transfer. They have been amazing but it is $$$. For a whole multitude or reasons I do not want to get into, her returning to the US is not a viable option. But continuing to pay for her 24/7 care (about $3000 US/month) plus rent and all other expenses is impossible. I have found some facilities where she could be but I am finding that they are saying "someone would need to be local" in order to bring her needed medications, bring her to MD appointments, etc. She has no retirement, is not collecting anything right now from the Argentine government. It looks like she is eligible to apply for PUAM (Universal Pension for Older Adults) https://www.anses.gob.ar/jubilacion...n/pension-universal-para-el-adulto-mayor-puam. Does anyone have any experience navigating this? The ideal situation would be finding a placement for her in a "residencia" that is no more than $3000 US/month "all in" and I could pay them directly from here. Is there some sort of agency or service where I could hire someone on an "as needed basis" to bring her things and take her to appointments? This entire situation has been beyond stressful for me- I have a kid just starting college and another one headed to college next year. My mother is essentially penniless and I am not in a position to support her. And I am far away so managing this entirely over the internet has been difficult to say the least. Any words of advice? @nikad I see you have commented on similar issues in the past. Would appreciate any thoughts, people who have experience navigating anything similar. I am overwhelmed and feeling helpless.

If her staying in Argentina is not possible, the only other solution would be trying to fly her back to US and navigating trying to get her on Medicaid and into a home where it would be covered which is a difficult process and would require legal counsel, etc. If anyone here has gone through that whole process with an elderly parent in the US I would welcome advice.

 

[nikad]

Hi! This is indeed a very difficult situation. In my experience it usually makes sense taking care of an older adult at home, if they own their place and somebody can actually oversee the situation. I do not know how old your mother is, or what kind of support network she had before he health deteriorated. Yes, she is entitled to Puam ( about 150 usd monthly ). I am not sure what kind of medical services she is having access to atm ( Pami? Public hospital? ) Or where she lives ( city? ). Paying for a nursing home is viable, but depending on the services they provide ( directly linked to how much you pay ), they will take care of more or less things.

Usually the most basic require a relative to provide diapers, medication and to take them for doctor appointments, etc. Especially if they do not have private insurance. This really is not something you can manage from a distance. Honestly finding honest and responsible caregivers is extremely challenging, You have been very lucky so far. If you want to fill me out with more details feel free to message me. If she is to stay in Argentina, you need to find a place that works for you. Again, don't know if she owns her place, health details, age, etc.

With a weak dollar exchange rate everything is getting more expensive in dollars, so you need to keep that in mind as well ( make sure that you will be able to afford payments ).

 

[Dim Witty]

I'd be happy to research and find prices of live-in geriatric facilities for your mom. Finding someone honest, caring and reasonably priced to occasionally provide the help not offered by the facility will not be difficult. I have contact with people who do that. I'll let you know what I come up with. Hang in there, I'm sure things can be worked out.

 

[ExpatLDC]

I'd be happy to research and find prices of live-in geriatric facilities for your mom. Finding someone honest, caring and reasonably priced to occasionally provide the help not offered by the facility will not be difficult. I have contact with people who do that. I'll let you know what I come up with. Hang in there, I'm sure things can be worked out.

Thanks. I have found some places through this site: https://portalgeriatrico.com.ar and have messaged and called some of them but they have all warned me to be very leery of people offering to be available to help her because there is a lot of corruption (their words)- they also said anyone doing that wold have to sign a legal contract saying they are responsible. It is a lot to ask of someone I know. But she has no other local support as she has burned a lot of bridges with people she knows there.

 

[Dim Witty]

Thanks. I have found some places through this site: https://portalgeriatrico.com.ar and have messaged and called some of them but they have all warned me to be very leery of people offering to be available to help her because there is a lot of corruption (their words)- they also said anyone doing that wold have to sign a legal contract saying they are responsible. It is a lot to ask of someone I know. But she has no other local support as she has burned a lot of bridges with people she knows there.

I'm unaware of the legal ramifications (contracts!?) of paying someone to do errands for and escort her to places. It seems that you're on course for finding a facility under 3k/mo. for your mom. If you need assistance in finding an honest, occasional helper, I'm happy to help. Best of luck.

 

[Dim Witty]

I'm unaware of the legal ramifications (contracts!?) of paying someone to do errands for and escort her to places. It seems that you're on course for finding a facility under 3k/mo. for your mom. If you need assistance in finding an honest, occasional helper, I'm happy to help. Best of luck.

I just received a call from a representative at Senior Apartments (beautiful, new place) on Av Corrientes, near the corner of Callao. There are many different prices according to your mom's mobility, etc. If you want more info, call Lourde 115-103-2904

 

[Lanick]

I would never suggest to leave your mom at a care home unless you’ll show up at the facility frequently. Honestly the best option would be flying her back to us and get her in the system.

 

[Silvie]

If she doesn't have somebody very close to her making arrangements locally I see it almost impossible to arrange it remotely. Getting PUAM might help a bit but not much. Plus if you want to make sure she is really taken care of, somebody has to show his/her face often at those facilities, to make sure your mother is treated and taken care of properly; otherwise it won't work. My experience with my older relatives in this country is that very often people tried to take advantage of them when they realized that they were very vulnerable, instead of helping them.

 

[nikad]

My own experience: My grandmother got hipbone fracture at age 93. Went past surgery ok. Was lucid and recovered. She wanted to live in her place. I respected that but she could not live alone as it was really not safe. Her apartment was not big enough for us to move into and she really wanted to stay. I told her fine, looked for two live in caregivers, got them both registered. She had company 24/7 and they would take care of her. I bought all groceries and meds, etc for all. Installed 3 wifi cams in her apartment with her consent and moved into the same building, just 5 floors away. I would visit every other day and talk to her over the phone at least twice a day every day. It was difficult to find reliable and honest caregivers. She really did not want to leave her place where she lived for the last 50 years.

She passed last year of natural causes. I was her only family. I had tried numerous times to take her to live with us, but she wanted to be in her home. I don't know what it is like in the US, but here in Arg you really have to be on top of things. She had private insurance and they would give her labs, ekg at home, x rays, doppler, etc. They also arranged monthly visits for check ups with a clinical doctor. Maybe my precautions sound excessive, but I had already seen enough abuse to the elderly and vulnerable in hospitals and institutions to the hands of caregivers and medical staff.