How Older Immigrants Benefit from Learning Spanish and Why It’s Not Too Late to Learn
According to the research, old dogs can learn new tricks. The mechanisms of learning may change as we age, but this is neither good nor bad. A review of …
How to Donate Blood at an IMSS Hospital in Mexico
Mexico’s blood bank has insufficient supplies. Mostly, this is due to a lack of altruistic donors. What does this mean for you? It means that if you need medical …
Is There Assisted Living In Mexico?
In the United States, most of us are familiar with the concept of the retirement home. We know the language: independent living, assisted living, skilled …
What to Do When Someone Dies in Mexico
When someone dies naturally at home in Mexico, the first thing to do is nothing. Sit and be still with the body. Take three slow, deep breaths and allow …
Aging in Place in Mexico: A Guide to Home-Based Care
For US citizens living in Mexico, the idea of staying at home through the final chapter of life can feel not only comforting, but possible. Compared to the United …
Is There Hospice In Mexico?
Among the most frequently asked questions that US citizens have about end-of-life care in Mexico is whether or not there is hospice in Mexico. Yes, …
What Can You Do With a Dead Body in Mexico?
As we plan for end of life, the question of body disposition arises. What to do with your body after you die is a personal one. Choosing ahead of time may …
Do You Know Your Blood Type? Why It Matters In Mexico
If you’ve lived in Mexico for any period of time, you may have seen the posts in local Facebook or WhatsApp groups from people who are looking for …
Choosing a Medical Proxy in Mexico
Choosing the right medical proxy is essential, especially for expats in Mexico, where unfamiliar systems, language barriers, and cultural differences …
Does 911 Work in Mexico?
Technically, yes. 911 is the number to call in case of an emergency in Mexico. The reality, however, is that 911 in Mexico doesn’t work exactly as it does in the US. …
Día de Muertos and the Power of Shared Grief Rituals
Grieving is an inherent part of change, and things are always changing. Grieving is therefore, an ever-present part of life. The intensity of our grief varies, rising …
Health Insurance in Mexico: A Guide for Gringos
Moving to Mexico as an expat is exciting, but you’ll also have plenty of worries. US citizens in particular worry about the cost of healthcare. It makes sense, …
Is Being a Good Neighbor a Matter of Life and Death?
The other day, I came across a research study that looked at what is most predictive of survival after a natural disaster. This particular study examined …
Remembering Brian Fey
When I first started the Dying In Mexico project, I posted in nearly all the expats-in-Mexico-type Facebook groups, asking around for someone, …
Live Well in Mexico by Planning for Death
Death is not waiting for us; it is already here and has been walking alongside us our whole lives. Since the moment we were born, our death has been …
Do You Need a Will in Both the US and Mexico?
A will (or last will and testament) lets you decide who inherits your property, who will care for children or pets, how debts get handled, and who manages …
Why Contemplating Death Makes Sense
Some people find it morbid, negative, bad luck or just plain too scary to earnestly contemplate death. John Powers quotes from Dr. Richard Kalish in his book …
A Different Kind of End-Of-Life Checklist
There are common elements to end-of-life planning checklists, whether you’re preparing for end of life in Mexico or anywhere else. Universal to-do items …
The Loneliness of Expat Life
As expats, many of us made the decision to leave potential support networks behind when we chose to move to Mexico. We moved away from immediate …
Spanish Words and Phrases for End of Life
When we first learn to speak Spanish the lessons are typically centered on how to introduce ourselves to strangers, order food at a restaurant, or ask where …