In the last few months, at least three elderly abuse charges against Filipino caregivers were reported in the Northern California media. Whether these are isolated cases, it is astonishing to many who are aware of the sacrifices and hard work of thousands of overseas Filipino caregivers.
Martina is a single mother. She entered the United States as a visitor leaving her two children behind under the care of a distant relative. Martina worked as a caregiver for a nursing facility for elderly patients in California. During weekends, she worked as a substitute caregiver for a private patient.
The daughters of Martina were still in elementary when she left for the US. Now, both of her daughters are graduating from college. She has not returned to the Philippines for more than ten years. Her green card was never obtained despite the many attempts made by the employer to file for her immigrant petition.
Last year, Martina’s immigrant petition was denied again not because she was not qualified for the visa. It was denied for the reason that the US employer did not have sufficient income to pay the proffered wages of Martina. Her employer suffered financial setbacks as a result of the economic downturn.
Since both of her children are graduating from college and that she was able to save enough for her retirement, Martina made a firm decision to return to the Philippines. Through her modest income as a caregiver, she was able to purchase a decent home in her province.
Martina heard of many undocumented caregivers that are being taken into custody and being put in deportation proceedings. She does not want to be in the same situation and is departing voluntarily this month.
The Sacrifices
Filipino caregivers in the US are known to be hardworking individuals who do not mind performing extraordinary tasks for their elderly or disabled patients. They ensure that their patients are safe, clean and well fed. Most of the time they run errands for their patients if it becomes necessary. Care giving involves long hours and hard work.
For the Filipino caregivers, they easily get attached to their patients as they often relate their work to taking care of their own parents. Ruth, another caregiver is undocumented and her immigrant petition is still pending. She takes care of an 86-year-old woman in a private home. Since she is a TNT, she is not able to leave for the Philippines as she fears being unable to return.
Ruth’s very own mother was sickly and was undergoing dialysis. She sent money for the care and hospitalization of her mother while she worked hard in the US taking care of an elderly woman totally unrelated to her. When her mother passed away, she was not able to attend the burial because she was still undocumented. The indescribable pain and torment she felt when she failed to pay her last respects to her mother was a formidable sacrifice she will never forget in her lifetime. Despite the personal family tragedy, Ruth needed to stay in the US and continue to work as a caregiver. She is supporting her other family members.
Unfortunate Circumstances
Generally, caregivers form a strong bond with their patients. The attachment may be very strong that sometimes, the elderly patient entrusts the financial matters to her caregiver. There are a few caregivers who relate that their patients issue checks to them to purchase items that the patient need. Carla, a caregiver in her early thirties frequently cashed checks for her elderly 85-year-old patient. She did this with the understanding that she would run errands for her patient and buy stuff her patient needs. One day, the police officers came and arrested Carla for elderly financial abuse. It was discovered that the daughter of her ward reported Carla to the police for “milking” her patient of money. She claimed that she was innocent of the charges. Carla was incarcerated for three months. Her strong attachment to her patient became the cause of this very unfortunate experience. With the love and care she was offering to the patient, Carla was totally undeserving of the punishment that was meted to her.
The three cases of Filipinos as reported in the California media had somehow put the Filipino caregivers in a bad light. The reports never mentioned the caregivers’ side of the story. The latest one is the 32 years old Filipino who was charged with murdering an elderly 87 year old patient with a pillow. This accused caregiver was also an active member and volunteer in the Filipino community who seemed unlikely to have committed the offense charged. Just like the other caregivers who are wrongly charged, this caregiver claims innocence. He is currently incarcerated.
Giving Due Recognition
Despite the hardship and unfortunate circumstances that may befall a caregiver, there is a significant number of Filipinos who remain as caregivers. It is a decent job and that there is a sense of fulfillment to many who are able to provide love and care to their patients.
Not all caregivers are victims of circumstances. There are numerous success stories of caregivers. Some of them were inspired by the magnanimity and rewarding experience of providing care, that being former caregivers, they find themselves operating their own care homes.
For all their sacrifices and devotion, these caregivers must be given their due and proper recognition this Labor Day. Just like the rest of the laborers, the caregivers must be honored and recognized for their selfless dedication to the service and care of others.
(Tancinco may be reached at law@tancinco.com or at 887 7177)
