May 21, 2026
A new home with care and belonging for Perla
By Thania Florendo
On May 16, Tzu Chi volunteers, staff, and youth members gathered at the compact condominium studio unit in Quezon City of 74-year-old Tzu Chi medical beneficiary Perla Tan to help her prepare for a major life transition.
It was an emotional day for Perla, filled with a mix of excitement, worry, and uncertainty, as she prepared to move into a home for the aged in Valenzuela after four years of living alone.
When aging is inevitable, what becomes of us?
After spending years serving others, how do you imagine your later days when it is finally your turn to grow old? As life transitions from your prime into old age and time is no longer your ally, when the loss of parents and siblings becomes inevitable, and the independence you once had declines gradually, how will you cope with the heavy emotional weight of aging alone, and how will you be cared for in the years to follow?
Growing old often comes with a kind of emotional heaviness that is difficult to fully prepare for. Tzu Chi volunteer Elsa Lee couldn’t help but recall her first encounter with Perla.
“In September 2024, it was the first time I visited her. She was living alone, and often complained that she was lonely and that nobody was taking care of her.”
Perla Tan is a retired elementary school teacher who served 38 years at St. Jude Catholic School. In her earlier years, she also became the primary caregiver and financial provider for her sick mother and elder sister, dedicating much of her life to the needs of her family. She never married and has no children. Over time, most of her immediate family members have passed away, leaving her with only distant family connections.
In November 2019, Perla suffered a mild stroke and was admitted for five days at Metropolitan Medical Center. It left her with residual mobility on her left side. Financial limitations made it difficult for her to continue regular medical consultations after discharge, making daily life increasingly challenging. Despite occasional memory lapses, she remains mentally alert, oriented, and capable of making decisions regarding her care.
With the help of a former co-teacher, Perla was referred to the Tzu Chi Foundation in 2024. Since then, she has received consistent support, including medication assistance, laboratory tests, home visits, and medical follow-ups.
At present, her only known living relative is her niece, Jocelyn Tioco, who assists her in withdrawing her monthly SSS pension of ₱15,000, used for rent, bills, and medicines. To support her aunt’s care, Jocelyn hired a stay-out helper who visits three times a week for two to four hours each day, and she herself checks on her aunt once or twice a week. However, with her own family responsibilities and three children, Jocelyn can only do so much while managing their household with her husband as the main financial provider.
A search for a new home
During medical visits, Tzu Chi volunteer Elsa Lee and staff members observed Perla’s growing sense of loneliness. This eventually led to discussions about moving her to a home for the aged, a proposal she once refused but later accepted after careful consideration.
They began their application in 2025, and around February 2026, Rose Tan, the President of the Filipino-Chinese Home for the Aged Women in Valenzuela City, invited Perla, Jocelyn, and Tzu Chi volunteers and staff for an interview and assessment to determine her eligibility for admission. She was later given the go signal to move in May 2026.
“We are very lucky to earn their approval, and we immediately processed all the requirements, which is why we were able to move this May. Thank you for the home for the aged. This is the first time that a Tzu Chi medical beneficiary has been accepted to stay here. We’re thankful,” Elsa said.
It has been strongly highlighted to her that she will no longer be alone since the institution is often visited by the volunteers and youth, who organize programs for the elders to enjoy.
As Perla has decided to move to a care facility to address her loneliness, Jocelyn believes this change will greatly improve her aunt’s well-being.
“I hope that she will be okay and happy [there]. I assured her that I will still visit and call her since the place is closer to our house. Although she shared that she is nervous, I told her that it will not be easy, so when she’s not feeling the environment, she can have her own time in her solo room.” She is strongly convinced that there will be a change in her aunt’s mindset since there will be elders that she can befriend.
A heartfelt welcome
On moving day, everyone worked fast in bringing down her things from her unit on the fifth floor to the ground floor. Others carefully packed her belongings into boxes; her mattress and small furniture were wrapped and loaded into the truck as her room slowly emptied. The volunteers made sure everything was properly organized before leaving the place clean and orderly.
During the trip to her new home, Perla anxiously recalled her belongings one by one, repeatedly asking if everything had been packed, especially her cherished statues of Sto. Niño.
She arrived at her new home in a wheelchair, assisted by Tzu Chi Youth volunteers. Others immediately began unloading her things as everyone worked together to arrange her belongings. Her bed and personal items were carefully placed to ensure both comfort and convenience. The cabinets were neatly filled with her belongings, with volunteers gently reminding her where each item had been placed so she could easily remember them. Perla quietly watched and instructed some about where she wanted some pieces to be.
Her private room was spacious and welcoming, complete with its own bathroom and small kitchen area. Large windows allowed fresh air and sunlight to fill the room, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.
“I’m very happy because for the past two years, I remember asking the Tzu Chi Youth to come with me. This is the responsibility of the youth because we are getting older. We ask the Tzu Chi Youth to help, and they are very cooperative,” Elsa said.
True enough, the Tzu Chi Youth stepped in with care and initiative, finding meaningful ways to help Perla settle in and begin forming connections. Beyond assisting her in organizing her belongings, they also prepared thoughtful gestures that surprised the elders but brought comfort and joy to Perla.
“We distributed fruits to each elder and gave them flowers as a tribute for Mother’s Day. It is our way of reaching out to them, letting them know about Ms. Perla, and we gave them flowers to make them happy,” said Tzu Chi Youth volunteer Jedd Lee.
In a world that rushes people to the relentless pursuit of everyday goals, there remain individuals and organizations that choose to slow down and extend compassion to those in need. Tzu Chi Foundation continues to step forward to offer support and ensure dignity is preserved and restored. Perla’s story is a reminder to everyone that the elderly are not to be left behind by time but to be embraced with care, respect, and compassion.
All of her belongings were carefully packed and carried one by one, with each box organized before being loaded for the move.
Tzu Chi medical beneficiary Perla Tan (front row, left) poses with her constant support system, who stood by her throughout the entire process until she was finally accepted and granted admission.
All of her belongings were carefully packed and carried one by one, with each box organized before being loaded for the move.
Bar handles had been installed throughout Perla’s former home to help her move safely from one area to another. These were carefully removed so they could be transferred and installed in her new place.
Tzu Chi volunteer Sonny Cheah (in gray), together with the youth volunteers, helps wrap the mattress foam to ensure cleanliness and protection during transportation.
All hands were on deck as everyone worked in coordinated urgency.
Upon arriving at her new home, Perla expresses concern that some of her belongings may have been left behind. Tzu Chi volunteer Elsa Lee reassures her as they unpack and sort through her things, checking each item to make sure nothing is missing.
A Tzu Chi volunteer assists an elderly resident from the lobby to slowly walk toward her room at the home for the aged.
Perla is warmly welcomed by some of the elders, who quickly become friendly and begin sharing their personal stories with her.
A resident of the Filipino-Chinese Home for the Aged Women chats with Tzu Chi volunteers.
Tzu Chi volunteer Elsa Lee oversees Perla’s first lunch as she begins adjusting to the new systems and rules inside her new home.
Volunteers gift Jocelyn Tioco, who has been a constant anchor and rock for her aunt, with a token of appreciation.
Tzu Chi Youth volunteers pose for a group photo, reflecting their initiative and sense of responsibility as they extend an active role in supporting community service efforts.
Tzu Chi volunteers and youth pose together with medical beneficiary Perla Tan, after successfully assisting her transfer to her new home.