Cancún’s Elder Care Crisis: Only 7 Facilities

Cancún, Quintana Roo — There are currently seven facilities in Cancún that provide some form of care for the elderly, ranging from daycare to temporary or permanent residences, but civil society organizations assert that this is insufficient for the growing need.

La Casa de Don Pascual is one such facility. Unlike the government-run Casa Transitoria operated by the DIF system, it is administered by civil society. This facility does accept adults with conditions such as Alzheimer's, senile dementia, or physical disabilities that make it difficult for them to remain with their families; however, because they require 24-hour care, a payment is necessary.

"We have that dream of expanding, of reaching those grandparents we haven't been able to reach, but there are difficult realities, like rent, electricity, gas, taxes…. Many children work all day and cannot keep track of whether their parents have eaten, taken their medicine, or are safe. We seek to provide that peace of mind to families and, above all, provide the grandparents with the care and affection they deserve," shared Ximena Adriazola from the association's administrative area.

The facility currently houses 44 older adults, 41 in residence and three in daycare, which operates from Monday to Saturday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; while their children work, the seniors are at the facility, which functions similarly to a childcare daycare.

"A large percentage of them have Alzheimer's, senile dementia; another percentage are very sharp minds in bodies that are no longer functional. And sometimes it is riskier to keep them at home than to have them be cared for," stated the interviewee.

The reality, she said, is that life in Cancún is very hectic and complicated, which is why many families prefer to have their "grandparents" in a residence, without the worry of being away at work all day and leaving them alone, not knowing if they have eaten or taken their medications.

"Anyone would think we live in paradise and almost on the beach, but we all know that life in Cancún is actually hectic… sometimes they are left with all the gas keys turned off, but you don't know if they wanted to make coffee, if they put a cup in the microwave with a spoon inside, there are many worries that remain," she recounted.

At La Casa de Don Pascual, they have different activities and try to ensure the older adults are well accompanied by various volunteers. Some receive physiotherapy, people from Catholic and Christian churches provide volunteer work, and there is music therapy. Everything depends on the volunteer who comes and the activity they can do, but they do try to ensure the residents are as accompanied as possible.

Costs vary depending on whether users are in residence or daycare and on the care they require according to their condition or disability. While they receive many donations that help with upkeep, the requirements for each grandparent are high, from the staff needed to attend to them to the supplies.

"It is a fee that depends on the assistance the older adult needs; daycare averages eight thousand pesos per month and residence is eighteen thousand pesos… it includes everything. But we invite you to come see the space and we can assess the needs there," she specified.

Interested parties can contact them at 998 240 4964.