Tabacón hot springs near the Arenal Volcano are one of the best places for relax

Yesterday I received the September/October edition AARP magazine. In case you don’t know this publication is put out by the American Association of Retired People. It is the world’s largest circulation magazine and is filled with a lot of good articles and information. This month’s edition features Bruce Springsteen turning 60 and a long article about his career. There are also interesting articles about the best places to live in the U.S., surviving Bernie Madoff and a whole lot more.

What really caught my eye was a full-page ad sponsored by the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism or ICT as it is more commonly known here. It shows a beautiful woman bathing in the Tabacón hot springs near the Arenal Volcano. The title says, “A whole new world, just a few minutes from yours.” The ad is very enticing and should attract many Baby Boomers and seniors to Costa Rica with the goal of increasing tourism.

I find it interesting that the ICT chose to place an ad in a publication that targets older Americans. Obviously they have realized that this is a good market and want to take advantage of it. I am sure that a good number of the people who see the ad and choose to visit Costa Rica, will end up retiring here. Most people think of spending their golden years in the U.S., but ads like this will steer more and more people towards Costa Rica.

There is also an article titled “The Simple Life” and features the cities of Tucson, Arizona; Greenville, South Carolina; Montpelier, Vermont ;Logan, Utah and Ames, Iowa. All of these cities seem very attractive and laid back. However, I am quite sure that Costa Rica offers amenities like affordable healthcare, year-round sunshine, tropical flavor and a whole lot more which none of these U.S. cities can match.

Costa Rica continues to improve its infrastructure and move forward in the face of a world crisis by completing two major highways. A week ago, while leading my monthly relocation/retirement tour, I traveled over the new costal highway or Costanera between Dominical and Quepos. Two months ago I made the same trip but the only part that was paved was a small stretch just outside of Quepos. You should see it now! The highway is almost completely paved and except for a bridge or two should be finished by the end of the year.

In the past a trip from the Domincal area to Quepos took a couple of hours on the old unpaved road. Last week we left from Uvita which is one-half hour south of Dominical and traveled to Esterillos Oeste just south of Jacó beach. The trip lasted only an hour and forty minutes. It used to take at least three or more hours to cover the same distance.

On my retirement tour we also visited the mountain town of Atenas in the Central Valley and got a bird’s eye view of the other new highway which goes from San José to the coast. At the rate things are going this new road should be completed shortly, marking another great leap in the country’s constantly improving infrastructure and improving the quality of life here.

Hospiotal Cima SAn Jose

Prostate cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in a man’s prostate gland. The prostate sits just below the bladder. It makes part of the fluid for semen. In young men, the prostate is about the size of a walnut.

Prostate cancer is common in men older than 65 but can affect men in their 40s and 50sThe younger you are the more aggressive and dangerous the prostate cancer. In older men it usually grows slowly and can take years to grow large enough to cause any problems. Most cases are treatable, because they are found with screening tests before the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Although most men may die with prostate cancer, most men do not die from it. Experts don’t know what causes prostate cancer, but they believe that your age, family history (genetics), and race affect your chances of getting it. What you eat, such as foods high in fats, may also play a part.

Some men also suffer from an enlarge prostate as they get older. Middle and older age men who retire in Costa Rica can be assured that Costa Rica’s urologists have the knowledge to handle all of your prostate concerns.

The PSA test is the exam which is used to detect abnormalities in the prostate gland. This test is widely available in Costa Rica. All men over forty should take it yearly especially those who have a history of prostate cancer in their family. This disease is CURABLE if caught in time. Believe it or not I know American men who live here and have never taken the exam. They are basically playing with fire. My friend C who lives in Heredia is 65-years old and a chain smoker and fairly heavy drinker. He once told me he never goes to the doctor or has taken the PSA test.

I have a another friend who lives in Escazú who constantly monitored his high PSA levels for a couple of years. He had a biopsy which was positive and was operated on successfully at Cima hospital. He is very pleased with the results and the quality of care he received. Today he is 100% healthy.

I had other friends that were not so lucky. They both ended up dying of the disease. One fought a brave battle for ten years but eventually succumbed to the disease. Another friend never went to see a doctor until it was way too late. Since the disease is asymptomatic in it’s early stages, the yearly exam is the key and can make the difference between life and death. Both of these people would probably be alive today if they had taken a yearly PSA test.

I am a prostate cancer survivor and still take the PSA every year just to make sure there is no reoccurrence of the disease. I have an excellent Urologist who works at Cima hospital. His name is Arieh Grunhaus and his English is perfect. If you have any concerns please fell free to contact him at 011-506-22081716.