Organizer’s Transition and Reflection.

There are times I realize how greatly I miss those elderly faces I use to work with. Though they live in difficult situations, it is their laughter and smiles that made them not different from others.

Today is completely a new challenge and new experience especially in a place too far away from home. And whatever I was today, I carry my learnings from my encounter with the Urban Poor communities... This is a different world. When I walk in the European street I see many white old people occupying the busses in town, enjoying their travel discount, access to safe and comfortable elderly seats. I can see a lot of benches around the streets and parks with Old People taking some rest and sunshine. I went to the clinic and Old People are treated so special, free consultation, treatments and prescriptions. Adverts were also posted around on information of how to claim “Carer’s allowance” from the Government if you look after someone at home. Our Grandmother right now where we live with at home has a free flat rent from the Council. She receives weekly pension that covers her food and electricity bills. A standard weekly basic pension is 82.05 pounds which is nearly 8,000.00 pesos! You can even top it up if you belong to Income Support category. She is disabled but Disability Allowance is a very big help to her. She receives another allowance whenever winter comes (that is because there is an increase elderly dying on Winter season:-). A small necklace unit is in the house that she is meant to wear around her neck where she can press and send a “Link” message to the Care agency if something happens to her. A carer or cleaner comes weekly in the house to help her with some basic cleaning. If in need of house' repairs, someone comes for maintenance of pipes and heaters and installing tiles and sink for her, which is paid by the council. Everything is free while she watches the TV all day. All you have to do is know how to claim your benefit, know how to dial the number and the government will respond to you quickly as possible! She is diabetic but her prescriptions and medical needs are at all NO cost to her. About every month an ambulance comes to get and bring her to the hospital just for a cut of toenails! A service deluxe. Wow, it is even very hard to use an Ambulance in the Philippines for someone dying eh!

I can see that the Government is taking care too much of the Old People here in the UK, the family’s role is not much really needed. The Sentinel (March 30th 2006) says that “Television is the main source of company for nearly half of all old people in the UK. Nearly five million over 65’s in the UK rely on TV as a substitute for the companionship and support normally derived from family, friends and neighbours.” Though given all the many benefits of being an Old Person here, there are still claims of some Elderly issues, basically issues of pension. The basic source of their Elderly Pension is taxes and borrowing money from the Government itself. How lucky and how enjoying to grow old here when your financial, shelter and health needs are met. That is still a very responsible and effective Government. Isn’t that is what we want, a society putting priorities to the Elderly?

To my country Philippines, dear Philippines. I don’t know how far we can achieve, how far our own Poor Elderly Filipinos would have the same benefits. We are still in the hope that our elderly won’t be forgotten. Once we went to rally at the Congress, we had our placards with meanings ‘all grows old, our Politicians, our senators, ordinary people, everyone goes to old’. The only difference is they are rich and they can look after themselves when they get sick, while the many elderly poor cannot afford to treat themselves but to rely with their children (if luckily they have good job). But many of the Filipino families still rely for help from their folks. Our Elders are still with their own families, even up to the extended family members. Our Filipino elderly is always there, everyday. In the struggle of the poor society they make an impact in the survival of the family.

One morning, Nan here had visitors, her son and two grandsons. While the son is busy using the phone, two of the grandsons were standing in the front room where Nan is seated watching her favorate TV shows. I was in the Kitchen doing some washing and I am a bit interested to hear the voice of the two boys. I was quite surprised later that they left the house and never even said a word nor greeted their own grandmother. I am not sure if they are shy but it feels unusual to me. Is there no longer relationship? Is there no longer communication to our elders? Has our love decreased to care for them? In Philippine culture we ask for the blessings of our grandparents, we take their hands and say our respect “Mano Po”. I hope we will continue to live by this rich tradition, because to them, we, their grandchildren are their only treasure.