Hey everyone,

Bit of a big post here, and it's going to be morbid but I need someone to tell me some information. Let me give you a small background first.
About 12 years ago I used to live in Switzerland, right outside of Zurich in a town called Wadenswil. Don't know if anyone is familiar with the area. My father is born and raised Swiss, as are his parents and so forth all generations prior. Fast forward, we've been in America (NY to be exact), since. My dad passed away 3 years ago, but his parents are still alive. Now in the present my grandfather (his dad) just got diagnosed with Bone Cancer. The issue here is that my grandparents are still out in Switzerland. This is now going to leave my grandmother alone out there (unwilling to come to America for several reasons).

Now the actual question, sorry to put you guys through that. Does Switzerland have any programs to help assist in the living of the elderly? My family can't just leave my grandmother alone, but living there is not an option. We're worried about her, and of course want to see her in the best condition possible. How does the government respond to their elderly, and is there a type of hospice or assisted living programs? I just need somewhere to start to think. I love the two of them very much and am greatly concerned obviously.

Thanks in advance to anyone who replies.

Home care for the elderly is handled by Spitex AFAIK:

http://www.spitexch.ch/

(only in German / French)

There is a locator ("Spitex vor Ort") that allows you to locate the local organization.

There is care for the elderly here. If your Grandmother has lived in the community for a long time people will know her and pay their respects after your grandfathers death. If they were members of any clubs (verein) these people will also visit.

There will also be a "jahrgang" (same birth year) group who will know her. If an elderly person needs help when they've been ill there is an at home service called Spitex who will look after her medical needs. If she is too frail to live alone there are options such as an old peoples home or aged persons apartments.

I know quite a few elderly people in my community, they are fiercely proud of there independence and make full use of the extra help available.

You don't mention the state of your grandmothers health or the environment she lives in, this could make a big difference in the answers you receive.

I cant put your mind at rest but I hope this helps a little.

Thanks for the replies so far. When it comes to my Grandmothers health, she's a pretty proud woman and I would not say she is frail, however she has hip problems and sometimes issues walking. Otherwise that her health seems to be very good. She gets plenty of exercise on her own in the sense that she's walking almost every day to and from the grocery store. Is Spitek a government based healthcare or is it private/requiring you to pay them?

I think it's based on income what a person pays. Why don't you have a look at the gemeinde (commune) website and see what they have available. There are also voluntary womens groups (Frauenverein) who look after the aged.

And obviously there are quite good retirement homes as well.

JurtEJ, I am so sorry for some reason I understood that your grandfather had already died.
Please accept my apologies for the miss-understanding.

No problem, thanks for all the suggestions so far. Of retirement homes in Switzerland, can anyone recommend a decent one?

I'll look more into Spitek as well, thankfully I can read German, lol.

heard only great stuff about spitex. they don't only help the elderly but any person that cannot take care of themselves for some reason. you pay a flat fee per month, based on your income. a friend with baby and toddler was sick and spitex sent somebody to buy food and cook dinner for 3 weeks while her mom took care of the kids.
in general i think you could trust your gran to do what she think is best, the infrastructure etc here caters for the elderly and they take care of their peers...
good luck and sorry about the bad news...

The definitive Swiss portal for all information pertaining to well being of the aged:
http://www.pro-senectute.ch/d/index.cfm