How to Die in Mexico

Addressing Pain at the End of Life in Mexico, Wilka Roig, GTO: Ep15

Is suffering at the end of life inevitable, or is there another way to meet death? For many US immigrants to Mexico, the thought of dying brings fear: fear of pain, loss of control, dependency, or fear of facing death alone. What if the dying process is not just something to endure, but something we can consciously engage with? In this episode, transpersonal psychologist and death doula Wilka Roig invites us into a deeper conversation about pain, fear, and the profound human experience of dying. Drawing from her years supporting the dying in San Miguel de Allende, Wilka shares what she has learned by sitting bedside with people at the end of life, and why dying may be far more nuanced, meaningful, and even intelligently designed than many of us have been conditioned to believe. In This Episode: * Wilka’s background as a transpersonal psychologist * The origins of Wilka’s role as a death doula in San Miguel de Allende * What it means to ‘enter the space of dying’ * What US citizens fear most about dying in Mexico * The question of whether dying is inherently painful * How does a person come to terms with the dying process * Defining ‘disordered dying,’ and cultivating the opposite * The ‘impeccable natural design’ of death, even in the presence of disease * Trying to define physical and existential pain * How meeting change as an initiation can help prepare us for death * What Wilka has learned about pain by sitting bedside with people who are dying * The influence of privilege and culture on our perception of pain * The power of navigating new phases (in life and when dying) with curiosity versus expectation * What is the benefit of being ‘present’ for death? * What might be lost or gained if Mexico approves medically-assisted dying? * How our burial practices might influence (and be influenced by) a more conscious dying process * Advice for consciously and intentionally engaging in the dying process, as a means of softening fear Resources Mentioned: * Course: A Year to Live Study Group: https://wilkaroig.com/a-year-to-live-study-group/ [https://wilkaroig.com/a-year-to-live-study-group/] * Book: Stephen Levine, A Year to Live: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/100565/a-year-to-live-by-stephen-levine/ [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/100565/a-year-to-live-by-stephen-levine/] * Courses and Workshops: Creative DreamWork: https://wilkaroig.com/work-with-wilka/dreamwork/ [https://wilkaroig.com/work-with-wilka/dreamwork/] * See all of Wilka’s offerings on her website: https://WilkaRoig.com [https://WilkaRoig.com] * Find more contemplative, educational, and planning resources for a peaceful death in Mexico at https://DyingInMexico.com [https://DyingInMexico.com]

Legally Protecting Your End-Of-Life Wishes In Mexico: Spencer McMullen, JAL: Ep14

The legal documents you drafted in the US (advance directives and your last will) won’t protect your end-of-life wishes in Mexico. So, now what? Spencer McMullen is a bilingual attorney based in Guadalajara and Lake Chapala, whose extensive experience in end of life matters has earned him the nickname, the ‘attorney of death.’ Spencer shares his expertise on how to protect your end of life wishes, from appointing decision-makers, to clarifying your medical wishes, and what happens after you die. He shines light on the special circumstances US citizens living in Mexico should consider, including tax implications and who makes the best beneficiary when your property is in Mexico, but your next-of-kin is in the US. In This Episode: * Spencer’s immigration story and how he began practicing law in Mexico * The difference between the law in the United States and Mexico * Why you need Mexican legal documents to protect you in Mexico * The benefit of estate planning, versus just writing a Mexican will * When you need a will in Mexico, and when you might not * The expense of transferring property after a death - even with a will * Why some people make better beneficiaries than others, and how to choose who to put as your number one * Cross-border beneficiaries and the challenge of transferring assets between US and Mexican citizens * Using a Mexican will for ‘representation,’ and not simply to designate who gets what * The unique role of an albacea, or executor, in Mexico * The role of a notario in Mexico, and why you might want to meet with a lawyer first * What happens if you die in Mexico without a will * How a Mexican advance medical directive can protect your end-of-life care wishes * Proving next-of-kin relationships in Mexico, and why it matters * How power of attorney functions in Mexico, and when you might need it Read Spencer’s article on How to Die in Mexico: https://www.chapalalaw.com/how-to-die-in-mexico/ [https://www.chapalalaw.com/how-to-die-in-mexico/] Contact Spencer McMullen at https://ChapalaLaw.com [https://ChapalaLaw.com] Learn more at https://dyinginmexico.com/blog/podcast-mexican-will-and-legal-documents-ep14 [https://dyinginmexico.com/blog/podcast-mexican-will-and-legal-documents-ep14]

Relocating to Mexico with an Aging Loved One: Cat & Coco, YUC: Ep13

Studies show up to 75% of unpaid family caregivers are women in their 40s and 50s who also work outside the home. Could moving to Mexico offer these women a life of greater ease? The outcome has been positive for Catherine Borgman-Arboleda (Cat) and Cordelia Newlin (Coco). The two found support in their own shared experience when they first moved to the Yucatan, each caring for kids and aging parents at the same time. They now offer support to other women caregivers who are contemplating a move to Mexico in search of affordable, higher quality care for their loved ones. Their business, CatAndCoco.com [http://CatAndCoco.com] offers consultations and a moderated community space where women who are caring for aging parents - and perhaps raising children at the same time - help each other navigate this role in Mexico. In This Episode: * Catherine and Cordelia share their caregiving stories and what led them to life in Mexico * The origins of CatAndCoco.com [http://CatAndCoco.com] as a resource for women caregivers considering a move to Mexico * The true cost of living (and caregiving) in Mexico versus in the United States - and why you should never move to Mexico just because ‘it’s cheaper’ * When moving your parents to Mexico is the right thing to do, and when it may not be * The experience of finding safe housing and caregiving assistance for seniors in Mexico * Managing home healthcare workers and language barriers * How to navigate the unique challenges of moving to Mexico as a caregiver * The necessity of ongoing professional and community support for caregivers in Mexico * The reality of healthcare in Mexico and why advance directives (and the conversations around them) are vital * Defining quality of life, and why it’s not the same as ‘safety’ * Working through family conflict, especially when not everyone agrees with moving mom and dad to Mexico * Why pre-planning makes a move to Mexico go more smoothly, and what to plan for * The culture of care in Mexico and what it’s like to live in a country where the elderly, and death, are not hidden away Contact Catherine (Cat) and Cordelia (Coco) at CatAndCoco.com [http://CatAndCoco.com]

Geriatric Care and End of Life Wellness in Mexico: Dr. Willebaldo Esquivel Reyes, BCS: Ep12

What does it mean to age well, especially when living as an immigrant to Mexico? In this episode, we hear from Dr. Willebaldo Esquivel Reyes, a geriatrician whose approach to medicine focuses on caring for the whole person, not just treating illness. We explore what healthy aging actually looks like, why ageism sometimes keeps people from seeking geriatric care, and how Mexico’s culture of connection and community supports wellbeing as we grow older. If you’re planning to age in Mexico — or already are — this conversation offers a thoughtful look at what it means to live, and eventually die, with dignity and support. What You'll Learn in This Episode: * How caring for the whole person inspired Willebaldo to become a geriatrician * Why healthy aging is about more than just ‘maintaining function’ * How ageism can prevent us from seeing a geriatrician, and when it’s actually time to make an appointment * Specialized versus generalize doctors, and why it’s good to have a generalist on your team * Are there doctors in Mexico who take advantage of expats with unnecessary treatments? * How retiring to Mexico (and figuring out how to live here) can be cognitively protective as we age * The health benefits of the warm, caring culture of Mexico * Palliative care in Mexico and when to choose comfort versus curative treatments * The accessibility of pain medications at end of life in Mexico * The significant role of social networks (versus institutional care) at end of life in Mexico * Immigration law and the universal right to access healthcare in Mexico * The importance of a ‘palliative companion’ at end of life * Advance Directives in Mexico and what happens if you don’t have one * The one thing that has the most impact on longevity and happiness See more: htps://dyinginmexico.com/blog/podcast-geriatric-medicine-in-mexico-ep12 Visit Dr. Willebaldo Esquivel: https://bajageriacare.com/ [https://bajageriacare.com/] Find Dr. Willebaldo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bajageriacare/ [https://www.instagram.com/bajageriacare/]

Aging, End of Life and Mental Health in Mexico: Dr. Jason Platt, MEX: Ep11

Aging anywhere can be challenging. Living in a new, perhaps unfamiliar country and culture can exacerbate those challenges, but can also make them easier. In this episode, bilingual therapist Dr. Jason Platt talks about the challenges and benefits of living - and aging - as a US immigrant to Mexico. At any age, we can continue to learn, grow and do the healing necessary to meet our death with less conflict, and with greater peace and ease. What you'll learn... * Dr. Jason Platt’s immigration story and how he ended up working as a marriage and family therapist in Mexico City * How living in Mexico can bring more ease - and more stress - to aging and end of life in Mexico * How our identities change as we age and the potential to step into a new one when we move to a place that’s new * How change can stress our relationships * Loneliness at end of life and the helpful (and unhelpful) ways we might cope * Optimal versus pathological aging, and what supports optimal aging * How addressing family dynamics (at any age) can help prepare us for a more gentle death * Why it helps to get clear about your hopes for end of life, and to talk to your family about it * The communication styles that are most helpful (and not) when talking about critical end-of-life issues * What can help us find the courage to have the ‘hard’ conversations about end of life * When and how it can help to meet with a therapist, and what may be lost if we turn to Ai instead * End of life as a relational event, versus something that happens to only the individual * The benefit of doing a life review, and looking ahead with an open, growth mindset * How we can find greater peace by questioning the narrative of our lives * Making meaning as we age, and how living in Mexico invites new perspectives * Why you might benefit from having a therapist on your palliative care team * How Mexico defines a ‘therapist’ and what to look for when searching for therapeutic help in Mexico Read the full article and learn more here: https://dyinginmexico.com/blog/podcast-aging-mental-health-mexico-ep11 [https://dyinginmexico.com/blog/podcast-aging-mental-health-mexico-ep11] Find more resources for end of life planning in Mexico here: https://dyinginmexico.com [https://dyinginmexico.com] Contact Dr. Jason Platt here: https://www.drjasonplatt.com/ [https://www.drjasonplatt.com/]