In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 3rd decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

La Tercera Edad (The Third Age)
By Karen Blue

Author of Midlife Mavericks: Women Reinventing Their Lives in Mexico

A special thanks to Karen for allowing us to reprint this informative article from Living at Lake Chapala. For more information on medical care, doctors, clinics and hospitals in the Lakeside area and nearby, visit our Care Facilities in Mexico Page. And, a big thank you to Kevin Knox for helping me gather this information!

North of the border, those of us over 65 are called "senior citizens" or, "the elderly." Mexicans have a much nicer way of saying it; here we are said to be in "the third age." This culture respects the older members of the community, gives them special attention, events, discounts and sees to it that most live out their lives at home, surrounded by family members.

Most foreigners who settle at Lake Chapala are not so lucky; our family members live far away. We know some of us will need special assistance in some of the third age years.

From a recent Kiplinger's Retirement Planning 2011 report, I obtained the following shocking statistics:

Cozy, comfortable, beautiful - What's not to like about this big, private room in Alicia's Convalescent Complex in La Canacita

* The US national average rate for a private room in a nursing home was $83,585 per year, in 2010. That's almost $7,000 US per month.

* Entrance fees in 2010 for a continuing-care retirement community in the US ranged from $81,000 to $605,000 plus monthly fees of between $1,340 and $2,841 per month. 

The monthly cost for assisted living and nursing home care at Lakeside ranges between $1,000 to $2,000 US, depending upon the size, location, and amenities of the room and the type and amount of care needed by the guest.

You do the math. That's a huge difference. There's another important factor: Mexicans have great compassion and respect for the aged. It's an ingrained part of the culture; that means the care in homes here is very personal and loving.

Touring the Lakeside Options

Recently, I toured several assisted living and nursing facilities at Lakeside with four other women. Joyce Raburn put the tour together, provided us with a map and some written notes about the various facilities, and sent us on our way. While we didn't see all of Lakeside's care

facilities, we were very pleased with the several that we visited. 

None of the women in our group are ready for assisted living, but we all have friends who are reaching that stage of their lives. Plus, some of us have friends and relatives north of the border who are beginning to look for viable options.  

None of the facilities and homes we looked at currently has couples in residence; all guests were either single men or women. Also, none of the facilities we saw is caring for Mexican ancianos (old folks). When I asked why, I was told that the Mexican families often look after their own elderly; the extended families generally live in close proximity to one another which means that someone is available to help provide care and the elders don't go into care facilities. 

That may well change in the future. David Truly, who holds a PhD in Geography and Tourism Demography, has lived in Ajijic since 2006. He projects that retired Mexicans from Guadalajara and other areas of the country will begin adopting the North American model for elder care.

David Truly has been studying the Expat community for 6 years to determine trends that will affect the future of Lakeside.

He predicts they soon will also be looking for a place with good care, good friends and the amenities they want in their tercera edad, without being a burden to their children. "In fact," David said, "A number of groups are considering opening senior communities in the area. One, La Pueblita, is probably the closest to breaking ground. Readers can keep up with that groups progress at www.lapueblita.com.

David notes another recent change in the migration patterns of retirees. In addition to the many expats who choose to retire in Mexico, more and more are choosing to die here as well. He has consulted with investors, contractors, doctors, and hospitals about the burgeoning community of retirees. David predicts that within six months, building will be underway at Lakeside to provide assisted living and nursing care for 40-60 additional people.

Residents, both foreign and Mexican, may decide to live in assisted living where they no longer have to cook, clean, or do laundry. They will want to live with other folks their age who are still active with puzzles, card games, reading, and needlework. The new facilities, David predicts, will offer more in the way of activities and entertainment and will probably follow either US or European models.

Each of the residences we visited was clean and the staff friendly. They were all homey and decorated in a Mexican style as opposed to the more antiseptic-looking facilities I had visited in the north. Let's take a look, then, at several of Lakeside's most popular assisted living and nursing facilities.

Abbeyfield: Price ranges from $730 to $1100 US per month.

Abbeyfield is a not-for-profit organization which operates across five continents and is dedicated to making the lives of older people easier and more fulfilling. Abbeyfield, which originated in the United Kingdom, helps people live independently by providing a range of services for seniors over 65 who are self-sufficient.

At Lake Chapala, Abbeyfield is right on the lake within easy walking distance of downtown Ajijic. Four of the home's eight residents have large bedrooms, each with a private bathroom, in the main house. There the residents also share a living room, dining room, central kitchen. The residents enjoy Lakeside's year round mild climate as they gather on the large patio. 

The other residents live in detached casitas (little houses). Each has a living room, bedroom, bathroom, dining area, kitchenette, and patio and is situated in the midst of beautifully landscaped gardens.

In the front yard is a lap pool. Señora Carmen is the house manager and lives downstairs so residents have the assurance of 24-hour emergency assistance.

Both a breakfast buffet and a hot, nutritious dinner are provided for the residents who are expected to make their own lunches from food provided by the staff.

Residents at Abbeyfield may not bring their own pets, but they enjoy the house Golden Lab, Guerro.

(Left:) The beautiful Abbeyfield home has a lovely view of Lake Chapala from its lakeshore location. (Right:) Residents enjoy meeting for breakfast and dinner in the Abbeyfield dining room which is softened by stained glass windows.

Residents can choose to watch television via TeleCable or Shaw satellite and can have wireless internet installed in their rooms.The renovation on Abbeyfield was completed four years ago and the casitas were added about two years ago. There is one extra casita for visiting guests who are asked to pay $400 pesos per night. 

We talked briefly to two of the residents while we were there. Both Joan and Bonny are in their 80s and love living at Abbeyfield. They were seated on the veranda enjoying a cup of coffee and the beautiful lake view. 

"It is the staff and volunteers' goal," Carmen told us as we were leaving, "to provide a warm and homey atmosphere for all of the residents."

To contact Abbeyfield, email Brian Howard at howard@surenet.net or visit online at www.abbeyfield-ajijic.org. The local telephone number is (376) 766-2794.

Alicia's Convalescent Complex in La Canacinta: Prices range from $1,200 to $1,500 US per month.  

Although we did not visit this facility on our tour, I visited about seven years ago and had the pleasure then of meeting Alicia Sandoval. She is a nurse with a geriatrics certification for 33 years experience and is the owner of this facility in La Canacinta, located on Lake Chapala about halfway between Ajijic and San Juan Cosala.  

This complex is run by her husband, Pepe, her son Guillermo, and his wife, Norma. They have room for 10 residents and the level of care they provide varies.

Pets are not invited. As is true at all the following facilities, the monthly price includes everything but diapers, medications and doctors. 

To contact Alicia, email her at aliciaconvalescent@prodigy.net.mx  or go to her website at http://aliciaconvalescent.com . The local telephone number is (376) 766-072.

Alicia's Homes in La Floresta: Prices range from $1,300 to $1,500 USD per month.

Alicia, after establishing her elder care home in La Canacinta purchased three homes in La Floresta six years ago, remodeled them extensively and turned them into assisted living and nursing home facilities.

We visited all three. Her son Alejandro guided us on the tour. In addition to providing management help for the facilities, he is, at other times, cook, driver, handyman, and gardener.  

We were welcomed to the first home by Panfilo, a beautiful Amazon parrot. This home provides assisted living for those in their third age who are neither physically nor mentally disabled. There is help available for the residents' showers or medicines and they are provided with all meals, cleaning, laundry, and local transportation. 

Now here is a tough decision. Which of these lovely homes would you choose? (Left:) This is the front of Alicia's La Canacita Convalescent Complex. (Right:) This house in La Floresta is another of Alicia's assisted living homes.

There are 10 rooms, each with a private bath and phone. In addition, Vonage phone service and wireless Internet service are available.

The second home, located next door is for "middle" care. Some residents here have suffered a stroke, but can still communicate, or physically disabled and using a wheelchair. Both of these homes are beautifully landscaped with multiple outside seating areas, gorgeous murals and comfortable furniture. Not every room has a private bath.  

The third home, located a couple of blocks north on the same street houses people who need 24-hour nursing care. These are primarily Alzheimer's patients or patients with dementia. This home has a swimming pool which can be used by residents of any of the three homes, although Alejandro says it is rarely used. Alicia has Dr. Aceves on call, and residents are invited to use their own doctors as well.

In total, the three homes can accommodate 24 residents. 

I asked Alejandro if the staff members speak English. He told me that they do not, but they do understand enough English to properly care for the residents. 

The food prepared is customized for various dietary needs. It is international cuisine as there are residents in the home from several different countries. I noticed a liquor cabinet and Alejandro explained that their guests are welcome to have a glass of wine with their meal or a night cap as they wish.  

As we walked outside, I spied two little Westies romping in a fenced area. He explained, "One of our residents is dog sitting for a friend while she is on vacation." He told me that residents who have rooms with private patios and grassy areas are invited to bring small dogs or cats. 

I recently discovered that a new friend, Annie Green, needed Alicia's services a couple of years ago. She is an extremely active person, and enjoys horseback riding, hiking, and kayaking. She sent me this email describing her experience at Alicia's:

I spent about six weeks at Alicia's convalescing from a staph infection in my knee. I was totally incapacitated and needed 24/7 attention. I got it at Alicia's. I had no intention of entering such a facility but my friends insisted that I go. I was not in a good frame of mind when I arrived.  

Look carefully at this upstairs bedroom at Alicia's home for assisted living - that is not a mirror - that's another part of this spacious room with enormous closets.

Having previously been completely healthy and leading a lifestyle one could only dream of, I was suddenly surrounded by complete strangers caring for my every need. While initially difficult to accept the kindness of strangers, I quickly discovered they were simply doing their job. My body was theirs and I just let them take care of it, some of which was pretty darned personal! I did not feel embarrassed even while they bathed and dressed me or helped me brush my teeth.

They even fed me the first day or two. I had a bell by the bed and whenever I needed attention, no matter what time of the day or night, I rang it and they appeared.  

My friends gave Alicia no notice as to my urgent need, other than a phone call stating our situation. She had no rooms available except for one which was being used for storage. Within a couple of hours, she had converted the room for me and made it quite comfortable and totally functional, with a private bathroom, TV, internet, and telephone. 

My physical therapist came daily, my doctor weekly, and the staff went to the pharmacy for my meds and woke me up to take them in a timely manner. As I began to recover, they eased up on my personal care, allowing me to shower and dress myself but always monitoring me… when I started sneaking to the shower myself they chastised me for being a naughty girl and then winked and gave me a thumbs up.

The living area in Alicia's "middle care" home features one of the many murals in the series of homes. The comfortable resident is from Italy.

Oh, and the most important thrill of all. She allowed my friends to bring my dogs to visit me. They often left the dogs with me for a few hours and came back and took them home. Also, I had many people in my room, in and out all day long and there was no problem with the numbers of visitors being restricted — or even the hours of the visits, within reason of course.  

Alicia and her staff are five star and I would not hesitate to recommend her facility…especially if you like being smothered by attention…or not… because they are going to give it to you anyway.  

To contact Alicia's email her at aliciaconvalescent@prodigy.net.mx  or go to her website at http://aliciaconvalescent.com . The local telephone numbers at the homes are (376) 766-3152, (376) 766-3087, and (376) 766-4152.

La Casa Nostra: Prices range from $1,600 to $1,700 US per month. 

When I first visited La Casa Nostra about seven years ago, it was run by Beverly Ward and located near the lake in Riberas. About two and a half years ago, the facility moved to upper Riberas into another lovely home that has been converted to a nursing care facility.

Beverly is now a resident and the new owner is Delia Villanueva. Here there is room for 12 residents to receive one of three levels of care. 

Residents are invited to bring their pets. 

Delia gave us a tour of the lovely facility.

(Left:) This well kept house - La Casa Nostra (it means our home) - is snuggled into the Upper Riberas neighborhood. (Right:) Delia Villanueva, the owner of La Casa Nostra, shows off her beautiful kitchen.

There is an upstairs and an elevator as well as closed circuit television so the staff can monitor the residents from the kitchen. Two nurses and 12 working staff provide the care here. The prices include one doctor's visit a week. 

To contact La Casa Nostra, email lacasanostra@hotmail.com . The local phone number is (376) 765-3824.  

El Paraiso: Approximate monthly price is $1,200 US  

This is a smaller home in upper La Floresta which has been converted to care for up to six residents at any levels of care. Guests may not keep their pets on site, but pets are allowed to visit.

A friend who frequently visits the residents of the area senior homes told me that if she needed to stay in one, she would choose El Paraiso — not because it is the newest, or the most beautiful, but because of the personal care and loving staff. The day we visited, the cook was baking chocolate chip cookies. They smelled delicious.

To contact El Paraiso, email rosario4559@hotmail.com  or call (376) 766-2365. 

(Left:) El Paraiso (the paradise) is another upper La Floresta home which has been converted into an assisted living center. (Right:) Residents can gather in the living room to chat or watch television.

There are other assisted living and nursing homes which we did not have time to visit. Joyce Raburn put together their prices and contact information for us.

La Casa Azul (the Blue House): Price ranges from $1,300 to $1,600 US per month. 

This is another lower La Floresta residence which has seven rooms and seven residents. It is owned by Dr. Roberto Martinez Ramos, a gerontologist. La Casa Azul invites residents who are mildly disabled or have various levels of forgetfulness. Residents may bring their pets. 

To contact La Casa Azul, email abjclay@yahoo.com  or phone locally at (376) 766-1256 or (376) 766-1695.

La Valentina Seniors Residence and Convalescent Home: Approximate monthly price is $2,000 US per month. 

La Valentina has six units and is owned by Martha Benavides who is a biotherapist. It is located on the highway near La Cristina. The home is equipped to handle various levels of care. A full-time nurse is on site and the facility provides all-natural organic meals, spa treatments, and other activities. No pets are allowed although there is a therapy dog on site. 

To contact La Valentina, email lavalentinares@ymail.com  or check out their website at www.lavalentinarc.com . The local phone number is (376) 766-5179.

Lakeside Care: Average monthly price is $1,400 US

This facility is also located on the highway, east of Jocotopec in Jaltepec. There is room for eight residents at this facility owned by a nurse, Sara Vega. She is equipped to handle all levels of care, including hospice. Residents may bring their small pets. 

To contact Lakeside Care, email lakesidecare@yahoo.com  or visit their website at www.lakesidecare.com . Sara's cell phone is 331-538-6172. 

(Left:) We didn't see the interior of Casa Azul on this trip, but we snapped a photo of the outside for you to see. (Right:) The decor at La Valentina convalescent home is more modern than in any of the other senior housing facilities.

Shangri-La: Approximate monthly price is $2,000 US

This smaller facility located in San Antonio Tlayacapan has just four rooms, each with a private bath. It is owned by Joannie and Fernley Smith who can handle all levels of care except round-the-clock nursing. Residents could possibly bring their pets, depending on how many are already in residence and how the new pet fits in. 

To contact Shangri-La, email ShangriLaMexico@yahoo.com. Local phone is (376) 766-1359 or US VOiP phone (602) 9903-6296.

As Baby Boomers reach retirement age, expectations are that many more assisted living, nursing and hospice solutions will be needed, and provided at Lakeside over the next decade. 

Over the years, I've had many conversations with single friends about the possibility of co-owning a property which could house five or six of us and have common areas, and a place for a nurse, if and when that became necessary. Growing old with friends rather than alone sounds like a good option to many of us.   

While we've not moved past the dreaming stage on that idea, and we hope that none of us or any of our readers will be in need of these services, it's comforting to know that there are good options today and more are being planned for the future.

Again, we would like to thank Karen Blue for her time in answering our questions and for allowing us to reprint her article.

About the Authors

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli are recognized retirement experts and internationally published authors on topics of finance, medical tourism and world travel. With the wealth of information they share on their award winning website RetireEarlyLifestyle.com, they have been helping people achieve their own retirement dreams since 1991. They wrote the popular books, The Adventurer’s Guide to Early Retirement and Your Retirement Dream IS Possible available on their website bookstore or on Amazon.com.

Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

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