As the global demand for senior care continues to rise, Marc Andre Daubenbuechel, MD of RainTree Care Services & Senior Residences in the Philippines, offers a unique solution. His approach combines high-quality dementia care with a commitment to supporting returning Filipino seniors. In this exclusive interview with sourcingcares in Asia Pacific Care Industry Forum (ACIF) at Cares Expo Taipei 2024, Daubenbuechel shares the story behind RainTree Care’s creation, his philosophy on elderly care, and the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the Filipino market. The interview is summarized in this article.
The Vision behind RainTree Care
RainTree Care Services & Senior Residences was born out of Daubenbuechel’s deep-rooted passion for providing quality care to the elderly, particularly those suffering from dementia. He explains that the motivation behind starting the company was to serve a market in need: returning Filipino expatriates who can no longer afford aged care in countries like the U.S. and Europe. "Many Filipinos work abroad for years, and when they retire, they want to return home. But aged care in other countries is often too expensive for them," Daubenbuechel says.
He realized there was a significant gap in the market—affordable, high-quality care for these returning Filipinos. "Since we opened, we've always been fully booked. There's never been a vacancy. This shows the growing demand for senior care facilities in the Philippines," he adds.
Balancing passion and business
Despite the rapid growth of the business, Daubenbuechel remains committed to quality care over profit. With years of experience in the hospitality sector, he understands that a hotel is far more profitable than a nursing home. “But for me, this isn’t just about business. It’s about passion and, most importantly, addressing a social issue," he shares. Daubenbuechel's mother, a nursing professor, played a significant role in shaping his passion for elderly care, and he draws on her influence in his work at RainTree Care.
With only 45 rooms currently in operation and another 96 scheduled to open soon, RainTree Care is expanding rapidly to meet this growing need. Daubenbuechel estimates that to truly address the demand, the Philippines would require at least 1,000 new rooms annually, a goal he is determined to help achieve.
A focus on dementia care
One of RainTree Care’s distinguishing features is its focus on dementia care, a specialty that Daubenbuechel believes is greatly underserved in the Philippines. "Eighty percent of our residents have dementia. It's really what we focus on and what we are creating here," he says. Dementia care requires specialized training and a deep understanding of the condition, something RainTree is committed to providing.
Daubenbuechel notes that dementia is still heavily stigmatized in the Philippines. "Most Filipinos don’t view dementia as a disease. There’s a sense of shame, and families often hide relatives with dementia at home," he explains. RainTree Care aims to change that mindset by offering a safe, supportive environment where dementia patients can live with dignity.
The design of the facility itself plays a critical role in dementia care. Daubenbuechel highlights the importance of outdoor spaces with greenery and trees for dementia patients, who often need to walk and remain physically active. "People with dementia are restless. They need to move, and it's essential to have a secure outdoor area where they can walk freely. You can’t reason with someone who has dementia. If they want to walk, they will walk," Daubenbuechel explains.
Challenges in elderly care: A cultural approach
Daubenbuechel also addresses the unique cultural considerations in offering senior care in the Philippines. RainTree Care exclusively serves Filipino clients, a deliberate choice driven by the cultural differences that can lead to misunderstandings. "For example, German culture is more confrontational compared to Filipino culture. Social distance is also very different across cultures. This may cause friction between foreign residents and our local staff," he says.
Understanding the nuances of Filipino culture is crucial to RainTree Care’s success. Daubenbuechel explains that family dynamics play a large role in decisions around elderly care, particularly for those with dementia. "Many families in the Philippines struggle with the idea of placing their loved ones in a care facility because they feel a responsibility to care for them at home. But with dementia, it can become overwhelming for families, and that's where we come in," he says.
High employee retention rate
“At RainTree Care, we prioritize building long-term relationships with our staff, which is why we offer competitive compensation packages,” says Daubenbuechel. “We pay our nurses two to three times more than what hospitals typically offer. In addition to higher salaries, we provide free accommodation and meals in our staff village, along with bonuses and extra benefits to ensure their well-being.”
All nurses at RainTree Care are fully licensed, as the company recognizes the responsibility of caring for human lives. “We need to be sure our staff is highly qualified, given the sensitive nature of our work,” Daubenbuechel emphasizes.
While many countries face severe shortages of healthcare workers, RainTree Care has been fortunate in maintaining a strong staff-to-patient ratio. “We currently have 70 staff members caring for 35 seniors. I intentionally maintain a higher number of caregivers because I believe in the importance of human interaction over relying too heavily on technology.”
The future of RainTree Care
Looking ahead, Daubenbuechel is optimistic about the future of RainTree Care and senior care in the Philippines. While the challenges are significant—ranging from the stigma around dementia to the financial burden of senior care—he believes that the demand for facilities like RainTree Care will only continue to grow.
"Our goal is to keep expanding to meet the needs of Filipino seniors, especially those returning from abroad. We want to offer them a place where they can age with dignity and receive the care they deserve," Daubenbuechel says.
With a strong foundation built on passion, cultural understanding, and a commitment to excellence, RainTree Care Services & Senior Residences is poised to play a key role in shaping the future of elderly care in the Philippines.
Notes: For more details about ACIF and Cares Expo Taipei, please check the website or contact Juihui Lin via lin@ankemedia.com for more info.
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