Why? I can find trained staff here who would get paid 30CHF per hour, and come twice a day. Meals can be delivered by our local restaurant for about 16CHF per person. Much much cheaper than an OAP home- again, not in Zurich, not in Geneva, but here- no problem. I could also get staff to come from over the border for much cheaper. I could also exchange care for accommodation for a family, with their own flat, kitchen and bathroom. Even cheaper.
Just checked the NOMAD official site for home care- people on low income pay 10CHF per hour- and then goes up by stages depending on income- people with an income of 80.000+ pay 35 CHF per hour- so 2 hours a day for getting up and help with washing, and help with getting into bed, etc- between 20CHF and 70CHF per day + perhaps a few hours housework at local rates of 20 to 25CHF + a doctor's visit once a month at about 100CHF - I'd say that is VERY reasonable, perso.
There are also lots of volunteer groups who offer to visit to chat, or play cards, or help with the garden, bake, or read to you or with you, etc- all free.
Those of you who only have experience of living in Zurich, Zug, Lausanne/Geneva have a totally distorted idea of what costs are in the rest of CH.
Zurich is NOT Switzerland anymore than London is NOT England or NY is not the USA.
Well it depends on how much nursing care is needed.And by trained Staff you maybe mean a Trained nurse ( I can ussure you they get paid alot more than 30 CHF in the hour. And someone to cook and clean.Not to mention medicine etc etc.So lets jack that up to minimum 100 CHF an hour ( all included ). And if you need 24 hour care then you can double that amount.If it was so easy as you think then more people would stay at home. A meal for 16 CHF. Joker.
One month in a home costs around 3700 CHF.( without nursing care)
And nursing costs dont vary much in Switzerland.And whats this with " over the border" stuff. You mean pay a hunger wage. Ha!
Odile, sorry for being a bit numb, but is health insurance paid by the UK only for those who move to Switzerland after retirement, or also for those who have worked in Switzerland and then remained there after retiring?
It is only for those retirees from UK who do not have a salary or pension from Switzerland and only UK pensions. When we first came here, OH was 63 having retired at 62. He was drawing his occupational pension but not yet entitled to State pension- so we had to take Swiss Health Insurance (+accident). When he got to 65, we were able to cancel Swiss insurance and arrange everything viy LaMal in Solothurn- and although I was not yet entitled to either professional or State pension- this applied to me too as his dependent. I am now elegible for both state and prof, pension. Although I am Swiss born and bred, I only worked for 6 months in CH, so am not entitled to a Swiss pension (I wish!!! as I lived all my adult life in the UK).
If you have a Swiss income or draw a Swiss pension, then it does not apply. I intended to do residential courses here (French or English + walking, nature, wildlife and flowers, cross-country skiing, etc)- but have not gone ahead for that reason.
And if you get sick and need special care? Then where is you budget. Up shit creek.
I've mentioned plan B option for severe illness. If I have to go into hospital or need medical care, it will be covered by health insurance anyhow.
The health insurance has its limits and when the limit is reached then you pay out of your own pocket ( if you have it ).
What limits- please explain. As far as I know no limit- franchise of 300 and pay 10%.
As said, in Switzerland you have an alternative choice, should you really be struck by something nasty and without issue, thank goodness. Exit membership is (from top of head) about 30CHF per year- very affordable best and cheapest insurance I've ever paid in
If you go into a elderly persons home or a geriatric home and you need extensive nursing then the insurance will not pay beyond a certain limit. Then it comes out of your own pocket. And if you cant pay then you apply for state help.
Yes, but....i hope people don't turn to EXIT as a solution to a financial issue.
Ah yes- in an OAP home- I know as my parents both were in one- their hard saved money disappeared in a jiffy. Mind you, if you are a Swiss citizen- the State picks up the bill as soon as you've gone down to CHF30.000 (approx) which you are allowed to leave for your children.
But I thought we were talking about being cared for at home- that was the whole point- as I was explaining that depending on circumstances and 'thinking outside the box' it can be very much cheaper. The cost of a room in an OAP home is about the cost of a 4* Hôtel, never mind the care.
Exit is CHF 45 pa, or CHF 900 for a lifelong (made me smile, but lebenslang is what they called it) subscription. That's in the Deutschschweiz.
Yes it is better to be cared for at home ( although alot of oldies are isolated at home ) but of course it has its limits according to the ability of the person to look after themselves to a minimum degree.
Home care has its limits-and its usually the financial limits of ones ability to pay.
As I said for a Federer or a Tina Turner then no problem.
well I think the dying process is a learning process and somehow I dont see eye to eye with Exit
Sorry limits was the wrong word. Certain services the insurance does not pay for.( including the 10 %) And if the costs of these services and the 10% takes all your money then you need assistance from State.But of course if you are at this point then you dont give a f**k anyhow
Your choice of course with Exit- for me, it is a huge relief to know it is there and the choice will be mine. Each to their own.
Out of interest, why do you not see 'eye to eye' with it, if you don't mind sharing?
About 'over the border stuff' - if you live very close to the border, as I do, it is perfectly legal to employ someone from France to come and work for you- and a proper wage, legally, is much cheaper, as costs are much cheaper in France. What is the problem with that?
No of course- and Exit would never agree to help in that case anyhow. The guidelines and checks are very stringent and clear.
Well probably because I don't see suicide as a solution.
Generally I'd totally agree with you. But if you are struck with a terrible motor-neurone disease, or lose the fight to cancer after years of fighting with all your might- and especially if you are very old- then for some of us, it is not called suicide, but dying with dignity before it is totally robbed of you and the fight is lost.
If you know the only future is dying by suffocation, as you are no longer able to swallow or breathe- a great release.
A choice, not for everyone- but it might be for me, one day. So a great insurance to be a member, just in case. I am a fighter, and still relatively young, in my 60s- but one never knows what is around the corner.
Perhaps you are too young to understand. Or perhaps you have not witnessed the agonising end of loved ones.
Perhaps a discussion for another thread if you wish. And back to the OP.