Older Expat's, Will Moving To Philippines Lower Life Expectancy?

[Old55]

Would moving to Philippines lower an older Expat's life expectancy?  

Generally speaking there are few quality hospitals or clinics in Philippines. In most cases there are little or no EMT or Aid first responders or ambulances to provide quick safe transportation. Cash for treatment could be a problem in any case.

There's always the ongoing risk for older guys getting busy with young Filipina partners "dying with their boots on".  :1 (235):

What do you guys living in Philippines think?

 

 

Topic suggested by Scott h post;

" The sad fact is chances are that by retiring to the Philippines you are probably lowering your life expectancy. Unless you live very, very close to a hospital and have a heart attack, you'll probably die in traffic :hystery: ."

[scott h]

In most cases there are little or no EMT or Aid first responders or ambulances to provide quick safe transportation

 

We live off a street that leads to a local public hospital so we see ambulances heading there all the time. Unlike what we are used to, a lot of the time drivers do not make way for them, or if they do it is with great reluctance :unsure: . I can not count the number of times I have seen private cars or trikes screaming down the street with horn blaring and emergency lights flashing. Obviously the thought it was faster to take a private vehicle then wait for an ambulance.

 

Speaking of ambulances, I know there is an emergency number, but once we had a lady have a seizure in our street. It was actually faster for me to walk to the barangay hall and tell the night people there to get an ambulance than to call one.

 

Generally speaking there are few quality hospitals or clinics in Philippines.

 

Sadly if you do not live in one of the metropolitan areas I believe this to be the case. If you have a chronic health problem which requires regular attention, have good health insurance, live near one of the better hospitals, you should be fine. If not, well as the saying goes, "you pays your moneys and takes your chances :whistling: "

 

Cash for treatment could be a problem in any case.

 

Now I can not speak for all health insurance policies or hospitals that honor them. But I have very, very good health insurance, and we utilize a very, very good hospital. But we still have to pay for treatment up front, submit the paperwork and wait for reimbursement.

The reason I bring this out, is that if you do have a health condition and have insurance make sure you have a sizable nest egg or there might be difficulties.

[WordsandMusic]

I think you have to look at your overall health and evaluate your personal prospects. If you have heart conditions and uncontrolled blood pressure, any number of other life threatening health issues, then it's a game of roulette.  If you play the game of roulette, then it should be with your eyes wide open to the fact you may die and be buried in the Philippines, some are OK with this prospect. Maybe they are miserable at home or just want to go out with a bang, but there is no mistaking ex-pates make this decision everyday. Better to burn out, than to fade away! As long as arrangements are made to care for those whose lives they touch and interject with are taken care of, I guess thats OK. I don't think it's fair to come here, get a young GF or wife, maybe have a kid or two knowing your in poor health and not going to be around to finish what you started. You should leave the GF, wife and or kids something to live on after you have gone. It seems to me cruel, not to allow them to maintain the same life you gave them if you can. Some might say well, while I was alive I gave them a better life, but you have to ask yourself is it better to give them something they can't keep, or were they better off not knowing of the other life style in the first place.

 

Someone once said the difference between happy and joy is money. Can you buy happiness? Yes you can!

 

Money can make us happy by making life easier, relieving the burden of struggling everyday just to live, that's what we give to most filipinas when we interact with their lives.

Joy on the other hand is that interaction of people interwoven into each other by living. The hopes and dreams, hurts and pains, all the loss and victories of all humans encompassed into a single circle of events that tie us together. We come to the Philippines and begin to interact with a culture that knows joy, maybe one of the most joyous cultures in the world. A big attraction to westerners, because our emphasis is on happy. Think about it, immediate gratification is what drives us. Filipinos are driven by joy, the family nucleus. a quick look at their governing laws will show how important the family is to the culture. So we come into their lives sick and frail to have our one last hurrahs! Maybe not fully understanding the concept of joy as they know it. We set into motion an ever lasting spiral either up or down for those we love, use or know, that perpetuates long after we're gone. Do you come to the Philippines sick and frail, sure. Are you careful how you interact with her people, Absolutely! Roulette is played by ones self in this case. We should be careful we don't take others with us when we go!

[i am bob]

I keep hearing that, once you leave the big cities, the hospital care goes down. Well, for those of you who lived in the middle of nowhere in your home country? How far from a good hospital were you? And how good was the hospital in the large centers? Back in Canada, I went through the Emerg 3 times and was treated for pneumonia... I was in congestive heart failure! Upstairs in this same hospital is one of the world's top Cardio Research units!

If you know you have a life threatening medical condition, you should live near a hospital. If you don't have a known medical condition, do you really place this a higher priority than if you lived in your home country? I don't!

:D

[stevewool]

The older you get They say the bigger the chance of something going wrong, yes you do try to plan for it, but i am not planning my whole life around it,

If i wake up and i have a great day then i go to bed and repeat this i will be happy,

I dont intend to worry about worrying that i may or not make in later on in life, but i am hoping to live a longer life by moving to the Philippines early rather then later

[chris49]

Would moving to Philippines lower an older Expat's life expectancy?  

Generally speaking there are few quality hospitals or clinics in Philippines. In most cases there are little or no EMT or Aid first responders or ambulances to provide quick safe transportation. Cash for treatment could be a problem in any case.

There's always the ongoing risk for older guys getting busy with young Filipina partners "dying with their boots on".  :1 (235):

What do you guys living in Philippines think?

 

 

Topic suggested by Scott h post;

" The sad fact is chances are that by retiring to the Philippines you are probably lowering your life expectancy. Unless you live very, very close to a hospital and have a heart attack, you'll probably die in traffic :hystery: ."

 

Excellent choice of topic. I think clearly a topic for a Master's Degree, or PH. D level thesis.

 

Hard to answer. But don't mind making a few comments.

 

1. In the Philippines there is a big discrepancy between the facilities, but that doesn't mean the Doctor's themselves are deficient. I go to very small local public hospital and the Doctor's know me. And the head man is a top graduate from UST, Manila. I like the guy and can txt him if really needed, drop by his house and pay 300-400 for the visit. And it helps that Im a nurse with some knowledge to fall back on.

 

2. Going to the Philippines with pre existing medical conditions is a risk. Even flying can present a risk. And the Dr doesn't know you or your case. If he's in Metro Manila he will weigh all that up and start overcharging you. Caveat emptor, that's the way it is.

 

3. Some guys above have insurance. You can't get insurance at age 65 for pre-existing conditions. If you had it at home you probably shouldn't leave. And yes the Philippines does have high levels of care, but you are going to pay big time.

 

4. I wouldn't expect first line medical response to save your life here.  Ditto at home. your chances of survival are also not great, but definitely better, New Zealand has one of the best paramedic/EMT system's in the world, but in rural USA you might get 2 old guys driving an ambulance, one in the back and that's it. Or in the city you get the higher level.

 

5. If your life expectancy is less, and I do believe it might be, that is your own fault. The Philippines is a Third World country. While in fact there is a higher level of care here, if you can't afford it, it is your own fault.

 

I broke my arm 2 days ago and reported to Magsingal Hospital. i know most of the nurses and the Doc on duty knew me. They transferred me to a private hospital in Vigan where they had x ray and ortho Doc. We paid 1100 pesos for everything inc x ray and pain inj and Dr's fee. 200 for the ambulance transfe,r and 500 for meds at another  Pharmacy.

[Thomas]

Someone once said the difference between happy and joy is money. Can you buy happiness? Yes you can!

How come a big part of the very rich are unhappy then?   :)    Specialy many of the kids to rich parents.

 

But money can assist AVOIDING UNhappiness  (=Have enough to the necesary and a bit more.)

Edited April 17, 2015 by Thomas

[Kuya John]

Someone once said the difference between happy and joy is money. Can you buy happiness? Yes you can!

Money might buy you happiness for a short while, then what?

All the money in the World can't buy you your health back, if your terminally ill!

Money can buy you all the goodies your heart desires, but that's no guarantee you will be happy.

Happiness is a state of mind, called contented.

Life expectancy, who can say.

Right now my wifes brother is lying in a hospital bed, we are just waiting for the call.

 

Being happy and contented will lengthen your life....http://www.positivityblog.com/index.php/2013/08/20/happiness-quotes/

Edited April 17, 2015 by Kuya John

[lonewolf]

can living in the Philippines shorten or lengthen your life, who knows for sure its a throw of the dice. but what time I' ve spent there one I was happy ate healthier, was less stressed, quite comfortable, lost weight  and loved by my Filipino family. sounds like a recipe for a long life. all you can do is plan for living with necessary precautions against the fates of life. and enjy our unique life with our loving fun asawa s. who reall y knows when the bell will tow or in what form. enjoy each day take care of you family.

[Tukaram (Tim)]

I am having a lot less seizures now.  and I used to drive for a living... having seizures....  so maybe I am an exception and will live longer by retiring here.  But really I do think the quality and availability of good health care is lacking.  Even outside the cities, in the US, you can call CareFlight for a helicopter ride to the hospital - try that here.

 

But I don't really care about how long I live but how well I live.  I will take quality over quantity any day!  :tiphat: