Our Govt has yet to care for the elderly!

Dec 22, 2001

SIR— Elderly people are usually the poorest in every society.

SIR— Elderly people are usually the poorest in every society. They do not have access to a regular income and the majority do not benefit from any social security provisions. Industrialisation, urbansiation and westernisation have caused a gradual disintegration of the extended family system rendering it ineffective in its role as an informal social security institution. Wars, conflicts and disasters are causing displacement, leading to separation of families and a change in power structures. Economic hardships are making it difficult for some families to provide care and support to older people. So, there are few African countries where older people are covered by any social welfare legislation. Older people are discriminated against and denied employment opportunities. They are denied credit to help hem invest for the future, and any pension they receive is usually eroded by inflation. Employment policies and social security systems need to be reviewed to ensure contribution to welfare schemes can be made by all and that the benefits reach those who are entitled to get them. Poverty reduction strategies often do not include older people and disregard the contributions they could make in the strategies . There is a need for policy legislation that will enable older people to have access to welfare services that are sensitive to their needs. It is time that governments and development agencies increasingly consult older people to express their views and concerns on issues that affect their lives. Increased confirmations of attendance to the forthcoming OAU conference on ageing in Africa, are being received from OAU member states to this collective forum, to review the draft, Policy Framework and Plan of Action on Ageing, which will guide the development of national policies in the member states. Help-Age international helppage@net2000ke.com

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