Robert Fowler – Page 3 – Retirement Media: Active Adult Living

Medical Travel For Seniors

Medical tourism, that is traveling to another country for affordable medical treatment is on the rise, particularly for us seniors. I know two of my friends who have traveled out of the country for medical procedures and there are probably several more, maybe who don’t talk about it.

My friend, David, who is in his early 70’s, traveled to Costa Rica to get many of his teeth capped. He told me it was actually an American Doctor from California who did the work and it cost him much less than he would have paid at home. He was happy and recommended it. He ended up liking Costa Rica as well and went back to visit several times, for additional dental work and for pleasure.

I read where dental implants are one of the most common medical travel procedures.

Some people take a long vacation when they travel abroad for medical treatments. One friend when to Serbia for either a face lift or maybe it was just upper eye lid surgery and stayed for one month. Towards the end he could enjoy the trip as well.

Some people travel to Mexico, including Cancun, for procedures and I see Medical Travel companies that advertise they will take you there, arrange for post-op lodging and then get your back home.

Some countries specialize in different medical fields. I guess Costa Rica may be dental since I have heard several people say that. South Korea is supposed to be the place for plastic surgery, maybe Serbia also. Brazil is also known for their plastic surgeons. Turkey has eye care.

Reportedly the cost savings for medical travel treatments is from 15% to 75% after deducting your travel expenses.

The benefits of medical travel include saving money, getting some traveling in and reducing the waiting time as it can be quicker.

There is even a Medical Tourism Association which a non profit association for medical travel. Their site has quite a bit of information.

I am sure there are plenty of downfalls from medical travel as well. The CDC had health warning for travelers to Mexico about the Zita Virus, Hepatitis A and unsanitary conditions.

To me, it sounds like the medical travel for dental work may be the best. I would really have to be convinced to do anything else. But apparently many people are convinced medical travel is worth it.

Best Locations For Over 55 Communities

Most of the good size 55+ Active Adult Communities are located on the outer edges of the larger metro areas. Some say that is because land prices are cheaper for the developers like Del Webb, to acquire the hundreds of acres at a reasonable price. That may be part of the reason for the location, but it is more than that.

As the article Best Small Towns Are In Big City Metros points out:
“It turns out that some of the best small towns in the country to retire in may be found near the outskirts of some of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas. More and more city dwellers nearing retirement age are contemplating a shorter distance to their end-of-work destination and are not crossing the state line. Rather, retirees are moving to the outskirts of the major city they worked in for decades, to smaller communities that offer a lower cost of living and a much slower pace.” In fact, one of the most searched terms is 55 and over communities near me.

Shelly Bloom with Virtual Properties Realty, our Village at Deaton Creek resident agent, points out on her web site: This location provides easy access to Atlanta, Gainesville, Athens, Lake Lanier and the mountains, giving homeowners admission to entertainment, shopping, fine dining and a myriad of outdoor activities.

So the outer Metro locations are the best of both worlds. It also has these benefits:

5 Reasons Outer Metros Are the Best Locations for Active Adult Communities

You can live among the outskirts of a metro area and remain close to friends, family and loved ones without dealing with the traffic, high taxes, crime or neighbors too busy to be friends with a retired person. Plus if you have lived your life in that metro area, then you are familiar with the area.
Provides convenient access to state-of-the-art hospitals and medical centers. Specialists and general practitioners are even opening up second locations next to 55+ Communities to provide easy access for their patients. This is particularity true here at Village at Deaton Creek with the new Northeast Georgia Medical Center right next door, the new Longstreet Clinic building across the street and many more existing and under construction medical buildings along our Friendship Parkway. See Being Close to A Hospital is Mandatory
Rather than living in the hustle of a city, retirees like to slow down a little to smell the roses and enjoy a more relaxing lifestyle.
As listed above, if you wanted to continue working full or part time, you are close enough to commute to a job.
The beauty of the areas is amazing, something you will not get in the suburbs. You can actually see the sky, enjoy the many local parks, see the mountains, watch the sunrise or sunset.

So there are many reasons the outer Metro areas are the perfect location for 55+ Active Adult Communities.