A leading senior residence and rehabilitation center in the Philippines said the country’s culture of caring will be a big asset, as it positions itself as a leading retirement destination in the Asia-Pacific region.
Rain Tree Founder Marc Daubenbuechel said there is a shift in thinking when it comes to the culture of senior homes in the country, provided facilities that would like to cater to the elderly break free from the typical home-for-the-aged structure.
“The inquiries that we have prove that the culture is changing. The condos do not get any bigger. Usually, both parties are working, so how do you look after your parents. From a collective culture in the urban cities, it changes more to an individual culture, people want to live independent,” Daubenbuechel said.
Daubenbuechel, who also served as executive director of the Retirement and Healthcare Coalition said Filipinos had a wrong perception of nursing homes in the past.
“The only reason people do not like nursing homes is because there is no nice nursing homes here. You can only change the perception if you offer the complete package of a nice facility, where you feel at home, and a good dedicated staff,” Daubenbuechel added.
According to Daubenbuechel, their 1,500-square-meter facility caters mostly to Filipino senior citizens and retirees, but is still open to foreign nationals who want to reside in the Philippines for the long term.
Daubenbuechel said the country is an ideal place for foreign elderly people to stay because of the hospitable culture and English-speaking skills, but more has to be done in terms of training nurses and therapists in handling long-term care, especially for foreign clients.
“I think, first, we should be able to look after Filipinos and, in the moment, there is not enough facilities. Same with medical tourism, first we must ensure we can look after our own people,” he said.
Daubenbuechel added that the differences in culture is also a challenge in the nursing-home industry, saying an understanding of their preferences must be observed.
“With culture differences, if you can make a medical procedure, it does not mean you can look after international patients. Nurses here are not trained for long-term care,” he said.
Separating themselves from other senior-care facilities, Daubenbuechel said Rain Tree specializes in a distinct “care plan” that takes into account not just residences’ medical condition and dietary needs, but also their personalities, daily routines and favorites.
Aside from providing long-term care to seniors, the residential nursing home provides specialized care to those with Alzheimer’s and other cognitive illnesses.
Located in Parañaque, Rain Tree can potentially give care to 24 residents. Its partner institutions include Lifeline Rescue and Asian Hospital and Medical Center.