### Abandoned by Their Families, Elderly Need Relocation from Hazardous Zone
In Tijuana, at the community asylum “El Poder de Dios,” elderly individuals abandoned by their families spend their remaining days. Managed by Pastor José Ricardo Torres, who is also a senior citizen, this facility receives patients from the General Hospital of Tijuana, Tecate, and Rosarito.
After overcoming his own struggles with addiction, José Ricardo dedicated his life to caring for the elderly as a way of giving back to the community that supported him. For over 20 years, the asylum has been a sanctuary for those elderly who have no one left to care for them. Currently, the facility hosts 15 seniors suffering from various health issues.
Many of these elderly come to the asylum through Dora Alicia Castro, a social worker at the General Hospital of Tijuana. “These are individuals who come to the hospital as unknowns, with no family to claim them. Dora will call me and ask if I can take one or two patients,” said José Ricardo. Unfortunately, most arrive in terminal stages of illness, spending their final days at the asylum.
Providing adequate care has been a significant challenge due to the asylum’s deteriorating condition. Located on Casiopea Street, the structure is riddled with cracks and lacks essential facilities. Previously, it could house up to 100 people, but risks of landslides have forced a reduction in capacity.
José Ricardo and his team are seeking community support to relocate to a safer environment. Relying on donations, they receive essentials like food and clothing, and nursing students visit monthly to provide medical care, including wound cleaning and administering intravenous fluids and medications.
### Volunteer Initiatives and Future Plans
Volunteer Reyna Rojas became involved with the asylum while searching for her own father, who has been missing for 12 years. Discovering the asylum’s dire conditions, she offered her support and pledged to find a suitable space for the community. Two years ago, they acquired land near the Rosarito-Tijuana highway, but resources for construction have been limited.
“The land is large but narrow. To maximize the space, we plan to build a two-story facility,” explained Rojas. With community and organizational support, they managed to buy the land. However, obtaining construction permits has been a hurdle, with multiple rejections from the Secretariat of Territorial, Urban, and Environmental Development.
Fundraising efforts have included raffles, collecting enough for the land but not for building materials. Temporary challenges include the urgent need for construction materials like plywood, rebar, concrete blocks, nails, iron wire, sand, and gravel.
José Ricardo has reiterated the plea for help from local authorities and construction companies. Anyone interested in making financial contributions can do so at account number: 50067313163, under the name José Ricardo Torres Rodríguez.
### Related News
**Aging Population Faces Housing Crisis**
A recent report highlights that many elderly citizens across Mexico face similar hardships, with thousands in Tijuana requiring urgent housing solutions. Other asylums also struggle with inadequate facilities and insufficient support from the government, exacerbating the healthcare crisis among the aging population.
**Initiatives for Elderly Welfare**
Efforts have been launched to reduce educational setbacks among seniors, aiming to enrich their lives through learning opportunities. Other initiatives focus on securing housing and providing better healthcare services to ensure a dignified life for the elderly.
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