Travelling on foot, crutches, and wheels, the elderly of Luwalhati ng Maynila (Glory of Manila), a home for the aged, proceed to their multi-purpose hall, ready to face their visitors for the day. As they head to the hall, their visitors unpack their treats and finalize their programs.
A visitor not related to any of the elderly in the home, Angelo Dawa looks forward to another day of sharing of stories with the old-timers. Dawa is the president of APO, an Atenean student organization that caters to the psychosocial needs of the elderly. Groups like APO visit Luwalhati because the elderly’s families—those who left them at the home or wandering in the streets—do not.
Traces of abandonment do not show in the elderly’s eyes nor surface in their stories, at least not when APO members come to visit.
“Sobrang saya nila kasi nararamdaman nila na hindi sila nakakalimutan [at may] nakakaalala pa rin sa kanila (They are so happy when we visit because it makes them feel that they are not forgotten),” Dawa says.
But beyond the hall where these gatherings take place resides a much bleaker reality—one that tells of the inadequate living conditions of those who spend the final years of their lives under institutionalized elderly care.
Old concerns
Most homes for the aged are run by private foundations or are attached to religious institutions. Luwalhati, however, is among the few managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The 150-bed capacity home, according to a 2013 study by landscape architect Ferdinand Gutierrez, Jr., houses a total of 274 elderly individuals.
According to Dawa, the elderly share beds when they are not supposed to. Personnel also lay mattresses and blankets on the floor to accommodate more residents. Renovation in the near future is also out of the question, as there are no alternative places to house the residents during the process.
Limited space is not the only problem. There are only 21 personnel, five of whom are social workers and 16 are volunteers. An undermanned staff leads to problems in order and sanitation in the home.
These problems fall under the concern of security in old age, among those listed by political analyst Clarita Carlos, PhD in a 1999 study. Other issues faced by the elderly include health, due policies and legislative initiatives, economic participation, and elderly abuse.
The 1987 Constitution states that the family and the State have the duty to care for the elderly. The latter abides by this through social security programs, which include 20% value-added tax exemptions, utility discounts, and mandatory health insurance.
“Sure, there are laws on senior discounts [and other similar benefits], but we still have a long way to go in making our infrastructures elderly friendly,” says Carlos in an email interview with The GUIDON.
For Bantay Matanda Founder and President Adele Joaquin, the issues of elderly care in the Philippines go far beyond the elderly themselves. Joaquin points out that those who push the wheelchairs—the caregivers—need caring for as well.
All given, none received
Bantay Matanda is a non-profit organization campaigning for welfare of the elderly through projects that increase awareness of their needs and concerns. The organization also provides workshops on caregiving.
Joaquin founded the organization, learning from her experience of taking care of her late mother, who struggled with vascular dementia. As her mother’s caregiver, she experienced the ups and downs of the job, which made her decide to fight for the welfare of caregivers as well.
“Maybe [people] are forgetting the welfare of the caregiver,” says Joaquin. “It happened to me. I had to give up my career.”
Joaquin believes that the stress and burnout experienced by caregivers may result in the abuse of the elderly. “When the caregiver’s patience falls short, that’s when they hurt the patient,” she says.
Thus, Joaquin says that caregivers need time to take breaks and to talk to family, friends, and fellow caregivers about their problems.
Unfortunately, this time is not usually given to caregivers, as Joaquin observed in her visits to homes for the aged in Metro Manila. She says that because of the lack of space and facilities, the prescribed one to one ratio for caregivers and elders is not followed, thus keeping the caregivers’ hands tied.
The glory days
Filipinos have been recognized all over the world for their care for the elderly in and out of their households. The elderly here have always been recognized as the family’s main source of wisdom. Because of this value, the elderly prefer to grow old inside their houses with their children and grandchildren.
But Joaquin observes that the value of respect for the elderly is slowly becoming a mere memory of the glory days of elderly care.
“Iba na (Times have changed),” Joaquin says. “The younger generation now is more aggressive in their ways, unlike our generation who are very submissive to our elders. There was so much more respect and honor.”
Joaquin mentions that the fading of family values causes depression among the elderly. She recalls a story of an elderly resident who only hears three phrases from her children each year: “Happy birthday, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year.”
“Other than that, wala na,” she laments.
The same problem is encountered by APO. Dawa mentions a “lack of appeal” to the youth as a factor to why many Ateneans opt to join other sector-based organizations instead. He explains that they do not see the point in looking after old persons when they can look after kids who “need more guidance [for the future].”
Dawa and Joaquin both see the revitalization of the care and respect for the elderly as essential. Joaquin calls for a “re-education” through spirituality, pointing to the Catholic Church as a source regarded with high credibility by Filipinos when it comes to “family formation.”
Dawa also emphasizes the need for an education that highlights the value of loving and respecting the elderly. He believes that this can keep family values intact, preventing abandonment in homes for the aged and elderly abuse. Dawa adds that he would prefer to have none of the elderly to visit and interact with–under one condition.
“As much as I want to interact with lolos and lolas, it’s more okay for me that I don’t get to interact with them if I’m sure that there’s a family taking care of them,” Dawa shares.
For the elderly
Although Dawa admits that it will be an uphill battle for the old-timers, he believes that it is still a battle worth fighting. For him, it is a battle fought for the sake of thanksgiving.
“Sa tingin ko hindi naman natin maaabot itong point na ito in our lives kung hindi dahil sa mga previous na namuno (I think we wouldn’t have been able to reach this point if it wasn’t for them),” Dawa points out. “Sobrang laki ng contribution nila sa atin (Their contribution to us is huge).”
A few strands of hair greyed by her work for Bantay Matanda, Joaquin spells out that improving the lives of the elderly is also preparation for the younger generations.
“Sa pagtanda tayo lahat papunta (We will all grow old),” says Joaquin. “All of us will get there. Let’s prepare for that.”
Author’s note: This article was published in The GUIDON October issue 2015 written with Janelle Paris
Kwentong Kwenta 