Visiting lonely elderly people…

Having the opportunity to visit the lonely elderly at the Binh Duong Province Social Work and Support Center located in An Thanh Ward, Thuan An City (under the Department of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs), the reporter was deeply moved by the images here when the affection between the staff and the elderly was truly like a family...

Ms. Duong Thi Xuong cuts hair for an old lady at the center.

Joy of old age

The midday sun of a June day seemed to soften as a misting system was installed around the Binh Duong Provincial Center for Social Protection and Work (hereinafter referred to as the center). Nearly 200 elderly and homeless people are staying here. When the reporter arrived, many people were sitting in the yard, hallways, and under the shade of trees chatting. Some people just sat there, staring blankly.

Ms. Hua Thi Thu Tam, Head of the Emergency and Long-term Care Department of the center, took us to each area of nurturing and caring for lonely elderly people to better understand life in this shared house. Sitting with her "old friends" on some swing chairs in the yard, Ms. Tran Thi Chinh said that she is 74 years old this year and has been living at the center for 19 years. She lives in Tan An ward, Thu Dau Mot city, and was sent to the center by the local authorities because there was no one to take care of her.

There are many other old ladies who are over 90 years old and have been here for 20 years or more. Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hien is now 90 years old, her eyesight is poor, she needs someone to help her walk, but she still tries to eat and take care of her personal hygiene. In any case, the elderly who can still walk are somewhat comforted compared to the paralyzed, bedridden ones. They cannot eat and take care of their own hygiene, so they have to rely on the nurses to take care of everything.

In addition to social protection beneficiaries receiving subsidies, there is also a voluntary elderly care area. The elderly choose to live at the center for the convenience of their daily activities and to have someone to keep them company.

Where love anchors…

“Here, we are enthusiastically cared for by the staff, civil servants and workers of the center. When we are sick, the staff kindly visit and encourage us. Every day, the staff take care of every meal, every medicine and regularly check up on us,” said the elderly when the reporter talked to them. “Even though each person has a different situation and age at the center, everyone treats each other like family. Younger, healthier people are willing to support and help the elderly. There are uncles and aunts who help prepare meals, wash dishes and then go to bed, which helps us to be less tired,” said Ms. Thu Tam.

It must be said that the staff, employees, and nurses here really work hard. Especially when taking care of the elderly who are bedridden or sick and cannot take care of themselves. Sometimes they have to double as… hairdressers. Talking to the reporter, Ms. Duong Thi Xuong, from Nha Trang, currently working as a nurse at the center, was cutting hair for an old lady and said: “You have to be dedicated and hardworking to pursue this career. You have to understand the psychology of the elderly to take good care of them, without making any mistakes…”

Coming here, observing and talking with the elderly and the staff of the center, we were truly moved by the love people have for each other. Perhaps they also need more love from many people for them, so that smiles always bloom on their lips, especially on Vietnamese Family Day (June 28), when family values are honored and reminded...

Observing and talking with the elderly and the staff of the center, we were truly touched by the feelings they have for each other. Perhaps they also need more love from many people for them, so that smiles always bloom on their lips, especially on Vietnamese Family Day (June 28), when family values are honored and reminded...