Tanay, Rizal — We all dream of a comfortable life when we reach our twilight years. Sadly though, partly due to poverty, there are some older persons who go through this last phase of their lives alone, abandoned by their children and relatives.

Good news is,  there are facilities that welcome these abandoned seniors, ready to provide the love and care they need.

Such is the case of Lolo Nicolas Camposano, 89, from Borongan, Eastern Samar.

The Haven for the Elderly, a residential care facility of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in this hilly town has been the home of lolo Nicolas for three years now.

In 2005, Lolo Nicolas decided to go to Manila to look for his youngest daughter.

Due to fatigue and hunger, he fainted. Fortunately, a good samaritan helped and referred him to Golden Acres in Quezon City, and subsequently he was transferred to Haven for the Elderly in 2010.

Lolo Nicolas’ wife passed away a few years ago due to illness.  The death of his wife made him long for his children who now have their own families. Two of Lolo Nicolas’ children are in Tacloban City and the other two are in Manila.

The hope of seeing his four children seemed lightless especially after Typhoon Yolanda hit Eastern Visayas.

He, however, learned to cope with his depression by being busy with the activities at the center.  Also, the medical team of the center conducts a regular psychiatric assessment.

The Haven for the Elderly already contacted the long lost relatives of Lolo Nicolas in Borongan, Samar through the DSWD Field Office VIII, but the family refused to accommodate and take care of him due to poverty.

Usually, the center provides reintegration service when an older person can remember the names and addresses of the family and relatives.

If the family or relatives are just leaving nearby, Haven for the Elderly will interview them to assess their capability in taking care of the older person. After being assessed, both parties will have an agreement and the family signs a waiver.

If the family or relatives are living in farther areas, the Haven for the Elderly will coordinate with the Local Social Welfare Development Office (LSWDO) or DSWD Regional Office for assessment.

Finding love later in life

Currently, majority of the older persons in Haven for the Elderly are separated or widowed, but lola Emma de los Reyes, 63, single, found love for the first time through Lolo Dominador Estrada, 82.

Both admitted that the blossoming relationship started as friendship.

”Hindi naman kami nabighani sa una naming pagkikita, wala nga kaming kilig na nararamdaman (It was not love at first sight),” Lola Emma and Lolo Dominador stated.

Until Lolo Dominador realized he needed someone to love again. He courted Lola Emma for eight months.

”Hindi naman ako naghahanap ng mapapangasawa, gusto ko lang mayroon akong masasabihan ng aking iniisip at mga plano. Nakaka-miss lang kasi ang mayroon kang taong gustong alagaan (I’m not looking for someone to be my wife, just someone to share a bit of my thoughts and plans. I miss having a person to care for),” stated lolo Dominador.

Lola Emma never had a relationship with men since she grew up in a convent with nuns after her parents died at an early age.

“Hindi ko naman pinili na mag-isa ako sa buhay pero kung ikaw itinapon ka sa ganitong tadhana wala ka ng magagawa kung hindi tanggapin ito. Wala talaga akong hilig sa mga lalaki, ang gusto ko lang noon ay makaahon (It wasn’t my choice to be on my own, but when you’re thrown into it you just have to accept it. I never had any interest in men before, my only goal in life is how to survive),” Lola Emma mused.

At first they hid their relationship since the center does not encourage this kind of interaction. But because Center Head Ricky Bunao views the relationship as more platonic than romantic, he decided to allow it.

“Whatever their reason, I believe that every human has the need to love and be loved even in your later years. The center allows them for an hour to talk, but not beyond that. We strictly practice some rules, no holding hands or any gesture of affection,” Bunao explained.

Grateful

Lolo Rico Talusig, 74, feels good from the time he was transferred to Haven for the Elderly from the Golden Acres in Quezon City despite his age.

Lolo Rico is healthier now because of the fresh air and healthy natural environment surrounding the center.

Furthermore, the climate-controlled rooms make them feel comfortable through hot or cold weather.

Lolo Rico is living a productive life doing gardening and taking care of chickens, and other sustainable activities.

“Nararamdaman ko na ang mga ginagawa namin dito sa center, at mga pagkain na masustansiya ay nagpapalakas sa akin. Karamihan ay gulay at ineenganyo kami na magbanat banat ng buto para hindi kami magkasakit  (I feel that the activities we do here in the center, and the nutritious food makes me healthy and strong. Most of our food consists of vegetables, and we are being encouraged to exercise daily so we don’t get sick),” Lolo Rico explained.

In Progress

The center has improved its facilities and quality of service within a span of four years. Formerly known as Golden Acres located in Quezon City, it was transferred here and renamed Haven for the Elderly in 2010. In 2013, the center was accredited by the DSWD Standards Bureau.

Aside from the cottages with 300 bed-capacity, Haven for the Elderly offers amenities which include therapy and fitness room, music room, and recreational room.

It is an environment-friendly place surrounded with trees and flowers, hence, fostering a serene ambiance conducive for its residents.

To date, there are 213 residents at the center.

In the past few years, Haven for the Elderly still has able to deliver high quality services despite the lack of staff.

Hence, the center is looking forward to improving more of its services for older persons in the coming years by seeking more partnerships with other government agencies, non-government agencies, volunteers, and donors.

Recently, DSWD, World Experience Philippines (WEP), and the municipal government signed two Memoranda of Agreement to expand the provision of social services to seniors staying here.

Under the agreement, the LGU will allocate a yearly budget of P300,000 for the laboratory and burial expenses of the elders. It will also provide medical and dental services, and will improve the center’s facilities.

Moreover, WEP agreed to provide volunteers who will share their skills, experience and resources to augment the center’s staff, hence providing more quality services to the residents.

In the coming years, the center plans to construct a multipurpose hall, swimming pool and team building area.

Also, there are plans to improve the facility to turn it into an eco-tourist park in the region,

Bunao also said that the vegetable orchard will also be expanded to provide the clients and staff with a regular supply of fresh vegetables.

“Haven for the Elderly continues to strive to become a “Center for Excellence” which is likely possible in the succeeding years, but still our main goal is to serve the abandoned, neglected, and homeless elderly offering them a safe and caring environment,”  Bunao ended. ###