Julie D. Says:
Are there retirement homes in Ecuador?
IL Contributor Fiona Mitchell Says:
Hi Julie,
Although Ecuador has a large population of citizens and expats in the “tercer edad” (third age—meaning 65 and over), the idea of assisted living facilities as they exist in North America has been slow to catch on.
You can find some charity organizations that provide assistance to the elderly, such as A Broader View Volunteers. But there are only a few established centers in the largest cities.
There are several reasons for this difference.
First of all, in the Ecuadorian culture, it is the family that takes care of the elderly. It’s considered both a privilege and an obligation. To admit that you cannot—or even worse, will not—take care of your parents or grandparents, does not reflect well on you as an Ecuadorian.
Secondly, live-in care can be arranged for as little as $400 a month, so for many that is a more economical approach. Generally, there aren’t agencies you can approach about this—it’s more of an informal thing. Just ask around to see what might be available.
The minimum wage is $388 per month, so you can hire locals either as live-in help (and negotiate room and board as part of the payment), or just have someone come in for the hours that you need.
One word of caution: before hiring full time help for healthcare or other reasons, make sure you discuss your responsibilities as an employer with a qualified attorney. You may be required to contribute to your help’s IESS fund, or even provide a severance package.
For more information about your options in Ecuador, be sure to check out our comprehensive guidebook, Escape to Ecuador.
Got a Question?
Send your thoughts to mailbag@internationalliving.com. We’ll post and respond to as many of your emails as we can right here in the e-letter.