A state of grace for the elderly, #28StoriesofGiving

MANILA, Philippines - To grow old with dignity is every man’s longing.

When the body becomes weak, the mind given to senility, the best one could hope for is the presence of loved ones.

For many of us, a state of utter deprivation and isolation from the very people we loved our entire lives is our worst nightmare.

This is why in the Philippines, a country known for close family ties and respect for the elderly, families live together so grandparents can be cared for until their last breath.

But somewhere behind the Philippines’ largest shopping mall, hidden from the bustle of modern city life, lies a place where some of the country’s elderly go to wait for absolution. No, they are not sinners; these senior citizens were once lost in the streets of Metro Manila seeking missing loved ones or perhaps in search of a dignity they are wishing to regain; some of them, imprisoned by their very minds or frail bodies.

More popularly known in the past as the Golden Acres (transferred to Tanay, Rizal), the facility is now called the Golden Reception and Action Center for the Elderly and Other Special Cases, or GRACES.

Every day, a number of senior citizens rescued from the streets by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or by various local government units are brought to GRACES. In some instances, families themselves turn in their elderly when they could no longer bear the responsibility of taking care of them.

Even if the place only has room for 150, GRACES has no choice but to accommodate its present 175 occupants.

Lolo Johnny Reyes, 82, is one of those it recently admitted after he was found sleeping in the vicinity of Quiapo Church last May.

“I came to Manila to look for my son. I was told he was in Meycauayan but I could not find him there so I stayed with my cousin in Quiapo but only for a short time so I don’t overstay the welcome,” Reyes narrates.

He once worked as a furniture maker in Canada for a large office and home furniture company before returning to his hometown in Aloguinsan, Cebu, where he continued his craft until retirement.

Lolo says he hasn’t seen his son for 25 years since the latter left Cebu. He also left a daughter in Canada whom he hasn’t seen in 32 years. His relatives in the province are not aware of his whereabouts.

Handling Reyes’ case is Abi Nur Haqq Alonto, 26, one of five social workers tasked with providing care to the elderly at GRACES. Aside from Lolo Johnny, Alonto also handles 43 other senior citizen cases. He explains that since GRACES is only a diagnostic/assessment and processing center, those admitted cannot stay long in the facility. Part of his job is to trace their relatives so that they may be reunited and reintegrated to society.

“Our biggest challenge right now is locating the relatives of senior citizens turned over to us. More often than not, we don’t get results from our inquiries. We even get disheartening responses, such as when a relative refuses to take them back,” Alonto says.

Their desolation does not end there.

Inside GRACES’s decrepit facilities, the elderly and the paraplegic sleep in cottages with leaking roofs during cold nights and sweltering days. More often, the lack of decent beds forces them to sleep in makeshift cots, woven mats or even pieces of cardboard.

One can count with his fingers the number of working electric fans, fluorescent light bulbs and wheelchairs.

In a facility where the scent of sterility and old age can dampen one’s spirits, social workers brave each day armed only with love and commitment.

“It can be painful when some of them approach us to say that they want to go home. Sometimes, because of our limitations or their failing state of mind, we could not let them go,” Alonto laments.

With government funding depleted just for maintenance and operating expenses, the facility is in dire need of additional financial support from private donors in order to improve the quality of life of older persons in the facility.

When any of the elderly stay-ins get sick and need medical attention, GRACES does not have enough resources to pay for their hospitalization.

Supervising social worker Maria Cielo Agotilla said, “Aside from additional funding, GRACES can benefit from additional hospital beds, fans, PWD equipment (like stretchers, wheelchairs, canes, walkers and crutches), tools for productive activities for the elderly (like sewing machines and gardening tools), as well as basic needs like food and toiletries, we are also looking for kind-hearted individuals who can sponsor the repair and rehabilitation of our dilapidated cottages, or even the donation of an ambulance to transport older persons to hospitals.”

More than material needs, however, the best gift donors can give to the elderly is time. Right now, only a few volunteers and some seminarians visit the facility on a regular basis.

“We encourage competent individuals with a background on elderly care to volunteer their time and services with us. Hopefully, we could also get volunteer doctors to visit twice or thrice a week to check up on our patients,” a hopeful Agotilla expresses.

GRACES needs help. For those who would like to lend a hand, call (02) 929-1187 or (0949) 361-0731 or email inquiries to [email protected]. or [email protected].

(Editor’s note: The Philippine STAR’s #28StoriesOfGiving is a campaign that turns the spotlight on 28 inspiring stories of people and organizations who devote their lives to helping themselves or others. Everyone is encouraged to post or “tweet” a message of support with the hashtag, #28StoriesOfGiving. For every post, P5.00 will be added to The STAR’s existing ‘give back’ anniversary fund. For comments and suggestions to #28storiesofgiving, email [email protected]. follow @philippinestar on Twitter or visit The Philippine Star’s page on Facebook.)