Neglected and lonely seniors find peace at shelter

Despite having nine siblings, Rahim is all alone.

Alexander Graham Bell’s pick-me-up quote “When one door closes another opens” referring to opportunities arising after a disappointment or failure rings true for seniors at Pusat Jagaan Mahmudah Malaysia.

Old folks with no place to go after being discharged from hospital are finding the welfare home in Semenyih, Selangor, which caters to abandoned patients in need of continuous medical care, a place they can call home.

StarMetro spoke to some of the residents on their life experiences.

All names have been changed for privacy reasons.

Ali, 54, lost his ability to walk following a knee injury.

Since his divorce many years ago, he has lost touch with his ex-wife and daughter and his only other relative is a nephew who works abroad.

Ali agreed to move to Pusat Jagaan Mahmudah.

“I used to be a sportsman but I had a knee injury that led to other complications.

“I have to use a wheelchair for the rest of my life,” the former bus driver said.

“I would like to meet my ex-wife and daughter but I don’t think they want to meet me.”

Former restaurant helper Salleh suffered a stroke, at the age of 50, while at work and since then has had to rely on a wheelchair to move around.

The 60-year-old said as an only child, he had no other siblings to lean on.

After being discharged from hospital, he was ignored by relatives and sent to the welfare home.

“I feel at peace living here as I am well cared for and am not a burden to my relatives,” he said.

Former mechanic Rahim, 56, who has never married, became a person with disability following a stroke.

His nine siblings disowned him after he changed religion, but he said, “I am happy here.”

Hamidah, 68, is an orphan and now alone.

Her husband died when she was 29 years old and despite giving birth to seven children, all of them succumbed to fever when they were toddlers.

She said she worked as a tailor until she became a person with disability.

“I have no one,” she said.

“So I am glad to be living here as I get the opportunity to learn more about my religion.” — By SHEILA SRI PRIYA