With the goal of giving abandoned and neglected elders a place that still feels like home, One Cainta Sunset Retreat, a local government-run home for the aged, provides attentive, hands-on care and affection, aiming to restore the love and meaningful life many were once denied.

The facility’s Social Welfare Officer II, Abigail Mae Pastor, said on Saturday, Nov. 15, during a visit by the PaMaMariSan-Rizal Press Corps, that 42 elders are currently staying at the shelter, including 17 men and 25 women, with ages ranging from 60 to 90. The One Cainta Sunset Retreat was established in May 2023.

Most of the elders were abandoned and neglected, while others were placed in the facility by their families, as they knew they could not provide the same level of care that the shelter could offer.

Some elders already have Alzheimer’s or memory issues and may forget the staff, but they continue to receive patient, attentive, and loving care, as the facility is truly committed to their well-being.

Pastor said they, together with the facility’s 31 other staff, including a doctor, nurses, caregivers, cooks, and utility personnel, make sure to be hands-on in taking care of the elders, ensuring they eat five to six times a day, have daily activities to stay active, and have their health closely monitored with maintenance provided.

She said that all their needs are provided for free, allowing the elders to rest, enjoy their days, and focus entirely on living without worries. She also emphasized that the facility is always kept clean and safe for them.

Pastor also explained the meaning behind the facility’s name.

“Kaya po Sunset Retreat kasi sila po ay nasa dapithapon na po ng kanilang buhay. So hindi po natin alam kung ilang years na lang itatagal ng senior citizens (It is called Sunset Retreat because the elders are in the later years of their lives. We do not know how many years they still have ahead),” she said.

“Kaya po ito itinayo para meron po silang magandang tirahan, meron po silang komportableng mahihigaan. At lahat po ng kanilang pangangailangan ay mai-p-provide po (That is why it was established, to give them a comfortable place to stay and sleep, with all their needs provided for),” she added.

She also noted that the support and genuine care of Cainta Mayor Kit Nieto have been a big help in making sure the facility provides the best possible care for the elders.

“Hindi rin po napapabayaan sa maintenance medicine kasi lahat po ay binibigay nang libre sa ating mga elders. Wala pong binanayaran na kahit ano, kahit magkano ang ating mga senior citizen. Ganoon po kamahal ng mayor natin ang mga senior citizens dito sa Cainta, Rizal (The elders are also well taken care of when it comes to medicine and maintenance, as everything is provided for free. The senior citizens do not have to pay anything at all. This shows how much Mayor Kit Nieto values and cares for the elders in Cainta, Rizal),” Pastor said.

She said that their true goal is to make the elders feel genuine love and care, even if they no longer have families, not just from the staff, but from the entire community that provides support for them.

The facility never stops searching for the elders’ relatives. Even while the elders are staying there, they continually work to locate their families and help facilitate reconnections.

Sometimes, they can find the elders’ families when the elders themselves mention a name or someone they remember who can be contacted.

Recently, the facility successfully reunited an elder with their family in Tacloban, with Pastor personally accompanying them.

However, sometimes even when the elders’ families are found, they carefully assess first whether they are capable of providing proper care before allowing the elders to return home, if that is what they want.

Meanwhile, the facility currently accommodates up to 50 elders to avoid overcrowding. They are now looking for ways to accommodate any additional elders who may need care in the future.