Barangay ‘day care centers’ for elderly pushed

EXTRA CARE Senior citizens who may require “external support’’ after a personal tragedy or a life-changing episode that entails major adjustments are the target beneficiaries of a bill filed by United Senior Citizens Rep. Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay. —Richard A. Reyes

MANILA, Philippines — As more Filipinos become part of the silver generation, a party list lawmaker is proposing the setup of “senior citizen daycare centers” in every barangay to help elderly Filipinos stay well and active through easy access to community recreation, education and health services.

United Senior Citizens Rep. Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay filed House Bill No. 10362, or the draft Senior Citizens Day Care Center Act of 2024, to “promote the welfare and protect the interest of the ageing and elderly population.”

According to Aquino-Magsaysay, “Events like demise of a spouse, retirement from work and onset of related illnesses may put older persons through brief periods of distress. External support or help may be needed by some to bring relief and expedite adjustment.”

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“Alongside the rapid growth of the older population, are the increasing cases of abandonment and homelessness, as well as rise in their special needs such as health care, housing, income security and other social services,” she said.

READ: Financial relief for seniors

On top of DSWD aid

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed there were 9.22 million senior citizens as of the 2020 Census, 7.5 percent higher than the 7.53 million recorded in 2015, and trending higher.

The lawmaker noted that while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has been providing housing facilities for abandoned, neglected and homeless senior citizens, these were “simply insufficient and inadequate to address the needs of numerous ageing Filipinos whether or not separated from their families.”

“Community-based day care centers can serve as daytime venues for senior citizens living at home, but in need of recreational, educational, health, and/or other socio-cultural programs and services,” she said.

Nonresidential setup

The senior day care centers, she added, would be more than a facility or venue but a “means of ensuring elderly programs and services can be accessed and be made available to senior citizens, their families and caregivers.”

HB 10362 describes senior citizens day care centers as “center-based facilities directly managed by the barangay that provide daytime services to senior citizens on a regular basis for fewer than 24 hours in a nonresidential setting.”

The elderly day care centers would provide activities for socialization, including arts and crafts, games, dancing, light exercise, discussion groups and outings; health services including medical monitoring and checkups, as well as occupational, speech and physical therapy; and special services, including early screening or testing for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

As of May 25, 2023, there are around 50 private residential care social welfare and development agencies for the elderly with valid registration, license to operate, and accreditation certificates issued by the DSWD.

The agency also operates Home for the Elderly, a regional facility managed by the DSWD Field Office IX in partnership with the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites. The center aims to provide abandoned, neglected, homeless and unattached senior citizens with no contagious disease residential care and rehabilitative programs and services.

Local gov’ts in charge

Under Aquino-Magsaysay’s bill, local governments would be tasked with taking charge of, managing and sustaining the operation of the senior citizen daycare centers in their areas.

City and municipal governments would also be mandated to ensure there is appropriate funding and resources derived from their share in national tax revenues to sustain the operation of the day care centers for the elderly.

Senior citizen daycare centers would also be tax-exempt and entitled to utility discounts on electricity, water and telecommunications services.

HB 10362 would task the National Commission on Senior Citizens to work with the DSWD, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Health in crafting the implementing guidelines. —with a report from Inquirer Research