Alice gave the glass of milk with a handful of medications the doctor prescribed for the patient. She was a hired caregiver trained to religiously give the medicines as instructed and attend to her other activities of daily living, an indirect way her children overseas provided care. Alice has accompanied her patient to banks, groceries and her monthly visits to the doctor for almost a year now and she experienced the transition from cane to walker to wheelchair as well. She found it difficult every time they planned for these trips. Packing the diapers and wheelchair, the dreaded traffic jam, waiting in line at the doctor’s clinic for their names to be called and finally reporting to Sylvia on what transpired the whole day is just a part of the routine.

Filomena on the other hand fusses about how tasking it is to visit the doctor with the long queue of wheelchairs in the corridor. She gets irritable and wishes to go home. Diagnosed with multiple chronic diseases, depression, high risk for falls and mild cognitive impairment are her recent diagnoses compounding her present situation. Filomena, tired of the laboratory examinations, remains confused not knowing what is happening to her. No one explained that she may have Alzheimer’s disease. With a new set of prescription at hand and added instructions, Alice leads the way home equally stressed. Alice thinks of the possibility that when her time comes for her to grow old, who gets to push the wheelchair? Sylvia on the other hand had to attend to a corporate meeting but her mind is somewhere, thinking if she made the right decision to leave her mom in the care of an outsider.

These typical scenarios abound.

We see older people living longer lives with women outliving men, a graying population strongly felt not only in Europe, Canada and the United States but also in other countries in Asia. The impact though is not strongly felt in the Philippines. By the year 2020, it is projected that there will be 14.5 million older people in our country. Filomena is presently one of them. Only a few hospitals in the Philippines have geriatric wards or even health care programs that specifically cater to the needs of the geriatric population. There are only a few certified geriatricians in the country, concentrated in Metro Manila and more so for nurses specializing in geriatric care.

It has always been tradition that the younger generation takes care of the older folks at home but it seems that changes are now being seen. The typical family now becomes nuclear, meaning, the number of family members are starting to decline, the middle generation particularly the women are now office based rather than staying at home, the gap of the older persons and the techno-driven generation of today and migration from the rural to urban areas. We really aren’t aware of the indirect effects of migration, on how this has affected the lives of older people. Caregivers, nurses and doctors working overseas leaving behind their families for better job opportunities or so called greener pastures. Sylvia on the other hand clings to the tradition as the designated caregiver but has to hand down the responsibility to a paid provider. She is torn between her responsibility as a daughter, a wife and mother, and her career. In her mind, it was much simpler then. Unlike Alice, the stress is different.

We are now being challenged by time. To face the future of the ageing population in the Philippines, that eventually we too shall belong at the top of the age pyramid. What we do know is that Republic Act 7432 is based on the rights of the older people yet the more popular ones such as the 20% senior citizen’s discount is not enough assurance that health care is provided. The issue on pension is the present clamor among others but this would take time to advocate, for bills to pass, and laws to implement. How many Filomena’s out there claim that this is not enough? Is there enough time in preparation for our ageing process?

There are a lot of Sylvia’s out there who are more conscious of their diets and exercise, striving to learn on how to age gracefully and prevent disability;there are more Alice’s aware of what Alzheimer’s disease is and that this is not part of normal ageing, We vaccinate ourselves against pneumonia and influenza yet we do not know if a new virus is now lurking, waiting to victimize the vulnerable population. Are the aerobic exercises, taebo, pilates, the popular south beach diet good strategies or are these just passing trends for the younger generation? Have doctors diagnosed depression in the elderly as often as we diagnose dementia?

We know that the family structure is slowly changing, that the effects of migration and overseas employment would eventually take its toll. We shall have to face the challenge and bridge the gap among the generations by strengthening family ties and moral values. We have to bring back the “mano”, the “po and opo’s” as our forefathers have taught us on respect. Keeping in pace in a technology driven race despite the fact that cell phones are not elderly friendly. Promote the home as the best environment to recuperate and retard building of nursing homes.

With this mind, the Home Health Care was conceptualized to provide quality care for older persons in the comfort of their home by bringing back the tradition of home visits by specialized doctors and nurses. Rather than letting the older patients wait in the line at the clinics, trained health personnel also assess the immediate surroundings addressing safety issues and making the home barrier free for older persons. This is a cost-effective system that prioritizes the older person, targeting the caregiver and other family members as hidden patients making health program holistic and comprehensive. The over all effect is improved quality of life not only for the patient but also for the rest of the family.

Of the multitude of questions unanswered, what lies ahead is unknown. What we know is that we have to act.

Home Health Care is a health care service provider utilizing the expertise and clinical skills of physicians, dentists, nurses, physical therapists and well-trained caregivers. We aim to deliver wellness programs and medical services to our clients in the comfort and safety of their own homes. We cater to home-based seniors and individuals of any age.

For further inquiries or consultation on our health programs and related services, please call us at telepone numbers (632) 633 9649/ 633 5626, Mobile Number 0922 4463686; 0917 8338989; 0917 8866144 or email address info@homehealthcare.com.ph