Mr Bruce McIntyre, Patron and Consultant for Age Care Association, gave a talk based on his experience of his time at the British Consulate in Malaga. There are more than 300,000 British expatriates living mainly along the coastal areas of which about 75,000 are pensioners. Until now the majority of people have come out in their 60`s and many of them who came out in the past lived adequately on a British state pension. However a great many of these are now in their late 70`s and 80`s and have difficulty in managing financially, often they have no close relatives to help them. There is a growing problem facing the authorities on what to do for these pensioners and the best way to help them. People coming to live in Spain now tend to research the standard of life here and are not totally reliant on state pension.
Help organisations have to try and make sure people who need help are sent back to UK where possible, or alternatively that they have access to the Spanish state system. Many expatriates are not covered by Spanish health care, or help from Social Services simply because they have never registered with the health service in Spain or on the Padron.
Bruce mentioned that the elderly require assistance with language especially in medical centres and hospitals and also to access the social help. Often there are property problems when they try to sell, and elderly pensioners are particularly at risk from timeshare and pension scams where they are asked for money up front in order to sort out their problem.
Another increasing problem here on the Costas involves carers who can no longer care i.e. where the partner also needs help. This help can only be provided through the Spanish system where one has to be registered on the Padron, otherwise you can only access care privately which will cost a great deal of money. Age Care Association is able to advise how to access the facilities and help available for carers, etc., where one should apply, where to go and the documentation needed.
It is very important to note that unless residents have registered with their E121 in the Spanish Health System it is only possible to receive emergency treatment in extreme cases. In Spain the authorities are now cracking down on people using the EHIC to access health care. It is also important to register with your local British Consulate or Embassy, who are now liaising on a regular basis with welfare and caring associations, especially here on the Costa del Sol. It is very important to register on the Padron at your Ayuntamiento.
