I am on my way to Mexico City to speak at a Senior Living Summit being held at the Hotel Marquis Reforma September 3-4, 2025 about the growing need to create evolved, affordable, holistic enclaves of well-being for older adults to age in place, age in community, and more, a subject on my mind since 2003.
Quick history:
In 2003, when serving as nighttime administrator and day time admissions and marketing officer at an exemplary (still is) memory care campus in Rancho Mirage, California, (thank you owner and mentor Floyd), the writing was on the wall.
Unless you are blessed with excellent health your entire life and have experienced no accidents, in the U.S. the cost of adequate long-term care at home or in a residence, could easily require up to $1 million per person with 2025 fees and pricing. With long-term care insurance at several hundred dollars a month, only 80% of costs would be covered.
This awakening was the impetus to look internationally for more affordable options with quality care and medical infrastructure. Mexico and Ecuador, by virtue of proximity, were places I conducted due diligence and developed hands-on experience with locals and expats, as well as other nations farther away.
Thankfully, as a trusted older adult advocate and consultant I have met like-minded souls on my path including Mexico’s Javier Govi, the « nearretiring » proselytizer and real estate entrepreneur behind CIAMAR’s 9th edition Wellness and Senior Living Summit for 50+ to 80.
About 100 to 150 persons are expected to attend the gathering gently modelled after NIC (National Investment Center conferences in the U.S. with 1500 to 3,000 participants).
The concept to develop and expand senior living options is growing in Latin America as the silver tsunami is not just an American/Canadian/European phenomenon, it is worldwide.
Attendees will be real estate developers, venture capitalists, architects, brokers, folks from the tourism industry, and senior living operators who will meet, greet, and assess future potential for collaboration.
I will be on the Bucket List panel with two others to talk about expats who migrate to Mexico and other countries in Latin America and what their expectations are.
Here is a link to the summit home page: https://ciamar.odoo.com/en
Here is a link to the speaker page: https://ciamar.odoo.com/en/ponentes
If you are unable to access it, here is how my bio reads:
Wendy Jane Carrel
Founder, Wellness Shepherd
A trusted older adult advocate and consultant who has hands-on experience with healthcare systems, retirement options, senior living residences, and wellness programs in Mexico, Ecuador, and other countries. She provides informed and thoughtful transition guidance and curated options for families and elders moving to Latin America.
Looking forward to this adventure!
I hope to report about the experience and my findings after the summit.
© Wendy Jane Carrel 2025 http://www.WellnessShepherd.com
Wellness Shepherd 
Brava! I look forward to reading your next post, though I’m sad you won’t be here for the next doula gathering.
Loretta Downs, MA, CSA Founder, Chrysalis End-of-Life Inspirations http://endoflifeinspirations.com http://endoflifeinspirations.com/ Advocate for the Gentle Exit and the Dignified Departure Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChrysalisEndOfLifeInspirations/ 773-343-8208 It’s your life story. Give it a good ending.
Thank you Loretta for the well wishes. Torrential rain in CDMX and flooded streets but all worth it! Your doula gathering will be meaninful for all, I shall be there in spirit.
How was the conference?Sent from my iPhone