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Abandoned by
their own children elderly
find new place to call home
The
Bangkok
Post
November
9, 2003
Two elderly residents of Tambon Don Larn Home
for the Elderly in Phak Hai district,
Ayutthaya.
Tambon Don Larn Home for the Elderly in Phak
Hai district of Ayutthaya is
Thailand
's only local body-run welfare centre for old
people.
It is home to 28 people aged 70-80 who were abandoned by their children.
The centre was set up by Don Larn Samphan Group in 1992 and transferred to
the tambon Don Larn administration organisation in 1996.
Young people leaving Baan Don Larn for the bright lights of the city often
leave behind their parents and grandparents.
The village is still a rural and farming community, but the sight of
family members waking up early in the morning, working in the ricefields
and dining at home together is now rare.
Somphop Pattanapirapong, kamnan of tambon Don Larn, said Don Larn Samphan
Group, set up with donations from local people for the poor, jobless and
elderly, first gave assistance to abandoned old people who lived in at
home.
Many of these homes were falling apart. It was hard caring for the elderly
in these conditions, so the group started raising money to build a rest
home.
The building and a garden sit on a two-rai plot plot next to Wat Don Larn
and opened in 1992.
Residents live free of charge and receive 24-hour care provided by
villagers hired with donations and the kamnan's personal money.
When they are ill, they are treated by the tambon's health station or
transferred to district hospitals.
Somkiat Sapthaweerangsi, president of tambon Don Larn administration
organisation, said Don Larn Samphan Group continued helping needy people
after transferring the home to the TAO.
Home to 18 women now, the centre has rooms for 13 more people and has
extended its service for nearby communities.
The centre also has a daycare centre for children to bring young and old
together. Every month, residents get 300-baht subsidies from the
provincial social development office.
``Now, the elderly here are happy and healthy. They wake up to give alms
to monks in the morning and spend time with children. On religious days,
they make merit and meditate at Wat Don Larn,'' said kamnan Somphop.
``Elderly people can stay here and return home if they like,'' he said.
Sawaeng Supanich, 77, who has lived at the home since it opened, said her
children once told her she was too old and would be better off dead. She
felt so miserable she wanted to take her own life.
Seven years ago, her fortunes improved when she was introduced to the
centre where residents lived in a relaxing and supportive environment.
``The only problem is that we are pampered too much. Living and eating
well without doing anything, that way old people can lose their
strength,'' Mrs Sawaeng said.
A new project for residents here is making handicrafts for sale.
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© 2002 Global Action on Aging
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