Getting Ready for Life

 Sharer: Wu, Cheng-yao (吳成瑤)

Series: The Daily Journal Dharma Master Cheng Yen (衲履足跡), 

Summer Volume, July 2s ~ July 28, 2022

Translated by: Hung, Celia  (洪芯宜)

Edited by:Chu, Chung-Lung (朱從龍)

The Four Missions and Policy Strategy Team presented a report to Master Cheng Yen with the theme "Elderly Care, Filial Piety, Four Major Industries Unite, Moving Forward Hand in Hand" on July 28th, 2022.

Charity Mission: An-Mei Project (for Elderly Safety Protection House Renovation) 

Medical Mission: Integrating Medical and Long-term Care for the Elderly 

Humanitarian Mission: Reports on Aging and the Importance of Respect for the Elderly

Education Mission: Collaborating with Long-term Care to Safeguard Community Elders

"The An-Mei Project" - "Secure Homes, Beautiful Communities" is a program initiated by Tzu Chi Foundation in 2020, focusing on proactive measures to ensure the safety of the elderly. Due to Taiwan's transition into an aging society, the well-being of the elderly has become a significant concern for everyone. Through community case submissions, the program allows for applications, followed by professional volunteers conducting on-site assessments and installations. The program helps with various needs, including safety handrails, accessible ramps, anti-slip measures, lighting improvements, replacing squat toilets with sitting toilets, removing bathtubs, and other necessary modifications.

Let’s take a look at this report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVwYJA1EHtg

Twenty years ago, Mr. Chen, who had suffered a stroke, still walks with a limp. There were concerns about the safety of his home. Tzu Chi volunteers are promoting the An-Mei Project in the community. The neighborhood leader of Haibin Village reported two elderly households with specific needs.

Neighborhood leader, Zhuang Zhehao, from Haibin Village, said, "The household we just visited, he had a stroke twenty years ago and still experiencing the side effects of stroke. He needs to go to rehabilitation five days a week. In addition, he has a mother who is in her seventies and also in poor health condition.

In order to have a better understanding of the elderly's needs, Tzu Chi volunteers conducted a preliminary assessment and promptly proceeded with the installation of handrails. Elderly Mr. Chen expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Tzu Chi, for installing the handrails for me. It's much more convenient for me now with my mobility issues. After bathing, having these handrails to hold onto makes a big difference." 

In addition to the originally planned handrail installation, the volunteers also noticed insufficient lighting in Mr. Chen’s mother’s house.  Therefore, they thoughtfully installed a light in her restroom as well.

Mrs. Lin, the daughter of Mr. Chen’s mother, mentioned, "She often experiences bouts of confusion and drowsiness, she tends to insist on walking despite being advised not to. Having the handrail to hold onto provides her with more strength and safety. Safety is truly important and paramount."

Tzu Chi volunteer, Peng Qilong, said, "After implementing these home safety improvements, their lives, especially within their homes, will have a relatively higher level of safety. It helps reduce the risk of falls for them. I am delighted that after completing the installations, the elderly have tried and expressed their satisfaction.”

Placing the safety of the elderly at the forefront, the volunteer-driven An-Mei Project will continue to provide more comprehensive care in the community.

My own mother is also a beneficiary of this project. I didn’t know before that Tzu Chi volunteers could apply for the An-Mei Project themselves. In mid-February, my mother had a fall and was hospitalized, injuring her hand and waist, which made her mobility very difficult. Initially, I was just asking in a group if anyone knew a plumber or electrician who could install bathroom handrails. Unexpectedly, one of the Tzu Chi Volunteers in our community reported the situation to the team leader, and Tzu Chi helped install handrails in both of our bathrooms. I am truly grateful for the caring for our Dharma family initiated by the community.

Ven. Master Cheng Yen often reminds us to cultivate compassionate care for our volunteers. Now, let us respectfully listen to her sermon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAu8T_kI3Ac(影片段落 2’32”- 4’47”)

We can be wholesome friends for one another, this is called “caring for our Dharma family”. When we care for our Dharma family, we’d think: “Fortunately, I’ve joined Tzu Chi. I am part of this big organization, so there is the chance to care for and be cared for this way. With today’s society, and the way things are, we are in an aged society. Many people are not exactly old, (yet, they are not young either.) Such is the reality. As time passes, we age as well.  Older people are senior citizens. (Many Tzu Chi Volunteers are of advanced age,) which is wonderful, they are (near centenarians). (When one has lived for so long…) Recently, I’ve been talking about taking an inventory of our life, which is to look at our life and think about what we have witnessed. Volunteers, in the big organization of Tzu Chi, as we come together to care for people in suffering, let us look behind us. Don’t just look ahead, let us look behind us to see those we’ve recruited as well as those who recruited us, are they where we are? Have we been moving at the same pace? Let us give them our love and care. This is what we need to do, to look around us and care for our Dharma family. 

Talking about caring for the Dharma family, The Tzu Chi Teachers Association held a symposium on the evening of May 17th. This symposium aimed to kickstart the process of writing the history of Tzu Chi Teachers Associations. Two masters Jing Si Abode also traveled south to provide care and guidance. They utilized the following day, while still in Kaohsiung, to arrange several meetings with senior members of the Association. They also personally visited the home of Teacher Yang to offer their care and support, her husband (also a teacher) had just undergone brain surgery, and his mood was comforted and uplifted by the caring concern from the masters. Another senior brother has been bedridden for seven years and unable to speak. The masters encouraged him to strive for rehabilitation and provided care and support to his wife who has been taking care of him for many years.

As Taiwan enters an aging society, Tzu Chi branches in various districts have established long-term daycare programs to cater to these needs.

Master Cheng Yen said, "When the elderly feel valued and respected by younger generations, that is what long-term daycare strives to achieve."My mother has been living in Kaohsiung starting last September, and I bring her to attend the long-term daycare program at Jing Si Hall every day. I am extremely grateful to Sister Wan and the dedicated volunteers of the long-term daycare program for their heartfelt companionship. They organize a variety of enriching activities every day, allowing the elderly to stay active both physically and mentally.

These photos are records taken by Sister Wan from the long-term daycare program every day, allowing family members to understand the activities the elderly are engaged in. When I pick up my mother after class, I often ask her about the lessons she had that day, and she happily shares her experiences with me during our car ride home.

The photo on the right shows the master at Jing Si Abode having a discussion with senior teachers on that day. When my mother finished her class, the discussion was still ongoing, so I took her to the seventh floor to wait for me. The master noticed my mother's presence and showed care and concern. My mother even showed the windmill she made that day to the master.

Master Cheng Yen said, "We need to let the elderly know what kind of energy they can still exert and what image they should have at their age. They should also be prepared for their own lives. In fact, it's not just the elderly, but we ourselves should also prepare for our lives. Hasn't Master Cheng Yen always emphasized the need to take an inventory of our lives?"

So, when it comes to the journey of life - we should take an inventory and leave a record. When it comes to the potential of life - we should fully unleash it. When it comes to the end of life - we should prepare in advance, and then everything can be peaceful and at ease.

Thank you all for listening.