Providing hope and health care close to home

Rogelia is an 83-year-old sponsored elder living in the Philippines with her family, which includes her youngest daughter and her partner along with two grandchildren.

In her early years participating with Unbound, Rogelia was an active council leader of sponsored elders in her community, where she spearheaded environmental activities and assisted her fellow elderly with their needs.

But many elders like Rogelia struggle with diabetes and lack access to regular care and medications.

A partnership between Unbound and Omaha-based Chronic Care International (CCI) is assisting elders with medication and regular check-ups for program participants. The gentle and welcoming nature of the health care team has also alleviated some of the fear of doctors held by the community.

“By having care through CCI, Rogelia receives hope, regular check-ups and free medications, which are only a few short steps away from her home,” said Teejay Cabrera, Unbound regional reporter in the Philippines.

Pursuing a healthy lifestyle

Although her hearing has deteriorated over the years, her memory and communication skills remain sharp. Rogelia is diligent about remembering to take her diabetes medication twice a day in addition to medications for hypertension and cholesterol.

“I keep my medicines in a small container for safe keeping,” she said. “I also see to it that I am taking my medicines at the right time, and I monitor my foods, so my sugar will not rise.”

Although diabetes has impacted her vision, this hasn’t kept Rogelia from following a daily prescribed routine of health and wellness. She has proven to be a diligent student, measuring her foods using the plate method taught by her doctors and nurses. She no longer drinks soda and avoids coffee, drinking green tea without sugar instead. She has also taken steps to avoid secondhand cigarette smoke, banning smoking inside her home.

Her daily exercise routine includes walking, morning stretches and joining community members for Zumba dancing in a covered courtyard.

“I apply all of the advice of CCI because I am already old, so I must follow all their instructions,” she continued.

Because the ravages of diabetes are often silent, Rogelia also takes great care to avoid getting wounds by wearing her shoes when she goes out and taking her medications regularly.

“I try my best to not have any wounds because I know that it will not heal easily and I might not feel the wound even if I have one,” she said.

Expressing gratitude

Rogelia is grateful to be a participant in the CCI program, which has provided hope by eliminating the need to buy medication, something that was a strain on her already limited budget.

“Words are not enough to say thank you to CCI who wholeheartedly give us the support that we need,” she concluded. “I know how hard it is for us elderly to find a way to cure our diabetes. Our Lord is not sleeping; he knows what we need. We feel very cared for and love seeing all you smile while giving these benefits to us.”

Unbound Regional Reporter for Asia Teejay Cabrera contributed photos and information for this story.