For Lola Luisa, being happy and content every day is a breeze despite being inside a government’s residential facility.

Maria Luisa Baltazar, 74, a resident of the Haven for the Elderly for six years, shares how she found a safe and happy home with her co-residents and staff at the center.

“Masaya ako rito dahil may maganda kaming kapaligiran, at nabibigay sa amin ang aming mga pangangailangan,” she said.

The Haven for the Elderly, located in Tanay, Rizal, is a residential care facility managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office IV-A that provides care to unattached, abandoned, and neglected senior citizens.

Grateful for a new home

In her younger years, Lola Luisa worked as a bookkeeper in a printing company and was able to mortgage a house. Since she has no siblings nor was able to start her own family, Lola Luisa lived alone.

When she got older and faced problems with the payments for her house, she had nowhere to go.

“Wala rin akong magulang na, at wala ring mga kapatid. Kaya tinulungan ako ng kaibigan ko,” shared Lola Luisa.

Her situation became more difficult when she suffered from a stroke and had mobility problems. Although other friends would help her every now and then, she no longer wanted to be a burden.

“Kaysa naman perwisyuhin ko ‘yung ibang tao na mag-alaga sa akin, dito na lang ako sa center. Kaya nga itinayo ang mga ganitong facility para maalalayan kaming mga nangangailangan,” said Lola Luisa.

The moment she entered the Haven for the Elderly, Lola Luisa accepted her situation.

“‘Yun lang naman talaga ang kailangan, ang acceptance. Para maging mapayapa ang aming kaisipan dito sa center, dapat tanggap namin ang aming sitwasyon,” she shared.

Happy and content

All throughout her stay inside the Haven for the Elderly, Lola Luisa is very grateful.

“Yung hindi na kailangan problemahin ang pagkain, tulugan, damit, gamot at mga pacheckup ay malaking bagay sa akin, lalo na yung pagpaparamdam ng pagkalinga at pagpahalaga sa akin,” said Lola Luisa.

She mentioned that she is most grateful about having the opportunity to boost her spirituality inside the center.

“Napakasaya ko dito kasi may mga madre na tinutulungan kaming mas mapalapit sa Poong Maykapal,” said Lola Luisa, who added that they have regular prayer sessions and masses as well.

Aside from the usual services inside the center, Lola Luisa is also grateful for the opportunity to maintain being active despite her age and her mobility problems.

“Nahahasa rin ang aming isipan sa mga activities dito tulad ng paglalaro ng crossword puzzles. Mayroon din kaming mga celebrations buwan-buwan tulad ng Valentine’s Day, Christmas, at Sports Fest,” she shared.

The good atmosphere and pleasant environment in the center are also a bonus for Lola Luisa, who enjoys the cold temperature and also a good stroll inside the facility every now and then.

For Lola Luisa, she may not have immediate family members and lives away from her friends, but she found a new family and a great home at the Haven for Elderly.

“Hindi namin alam kung ilang taon pa ang itatagal namin sa daigdig, pero nagpapasalamat kami na bago pa man dumating ‘yun, masaya kami dito at ramdam pa rin naming mahalaga ang aming buhay,” she shared.#