By Robert Burgoing (@robertb_py)
Seeing elderly people who are in a situation of abandonment, being stranded to their fate, or who do not receive the necessary care from their relatives is a harsh reality that is not alien to Paraguayan society.
Seeking to give a new opportunity to people who are in these conditions, the San José Home for the Elderly initiative emerged, administered by the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Homeless Elderly.
This home is located in the La Amistad neighborhood of Ykua Dure, in the city of Luque, and was inaugurated in May 2021 on a modern property of about 18,791m2.
The place is prepared to house approximately 100 elderly people, who have all the comforts for their development and well-being. Its main purpose is to welcome vulnerable and abandoned older adults, attending to all their material, affection and spiritual needs.
Those who live there receive food, medical assistance, in addition to having other recreational activities at their disposal to distract themselves during the day. A multidisciplinary team is constantly aware of your requirements.
The Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Forsaken Elderly was born in Spain in 1873, at the initiative of Saint Teresa de Jesús Jornet and Saturnino López Novoa, who joined at that time with the purpose of giving a new life to those elderly in a situation of vulnerability.
Over the years, the congregation has spread to various parts of the world until it has, to date, some 214 houses or homes in which about 28,000 elderly people are cared for, involving some 3,000 nuns.
In Paraguay, the congregation settled 8 years ago, initially having another location before moving to its new home in Luque, which has all the comforts so that older adults can enjoy a permanent stay.
Four nuns and a human team made up of nurses, cleaning staff, assistants, physiotherapists, cooks, among others, are the ones who give their all to assist the elderly in this space.
“Take care of the bodies to save their souls” was one of the maxims that Santa Teresa de Jesús Jornet had in life. Following this same premise, the sisters of the congregation and the support staff, through their tireless work, allow the homeless elderly to be cared for to give them the life they deserve and, thereby, help them find the ideal place.
The San José Nursing Home is supported by the charity of the citizens and financial aid from the congregation in Spain. The elderly, for the most part, are people who were abandoned or who have no family, so there is no contribution required of them for their residence.
Currently there are private companies that collaborate with donations of food, supplies and other products, although in the same way the nuns in charge of the home are looking for a way to continue adding benefactors for this noble cause.
The contact numbers for Hogar San José are 0981 171 880 / 021 728 9298.
The entrance Hogar San José: vocation and dedication in favor of the abandoned elderly was first published in diary TODAY.
