On the International Day of Older Persons .. Assistant Undersecretary of Rehabilitation and Welfare for BNA: Comprehensive strategies to support the elderly in the Kingdom of Bahrain

30-09-2024

Ms. Zainab Salman Al-Awainati, Assistant Undersecretary for Rehabilitation and Walfare at the Ministry of Social Development and member of the National Committee for the Elderly, affirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain's interest in supporting the elderly, as the Kingdom adopts comprehensive strategies, including the National Strategy for the Elderly, which includes all areas concerned with enhancing the quality of life of the elderly, social and health policies, and other areas that support them, which has strengthened the Kingdom of Bahrian's position as one of the advanced countries in the Arab world, regionally, and internationally in its strategic vision for development services provided to this group. In a special interview with Bahrain News Agency (BNA) on the occasion of the (International Day of Older Persons), which falls on October 1, the Assistant Undersecretary of Rehabilitation and Welfare indicated that the Kingdom of Bahrain provides a package of integrated and supportive services to the elderly, including a cost-of-living allowance and social security, in addition to providing prosthetic devices to support their daily needs such as wheelchairs and medical beds, as well as providing family and social consultations for them and their families. She added that the ministry is working within the framework of integration between government agencies to expand the services provided to this category, in addition to enhancing cooperation with private sector institutions to provide more exceptional facilities for them, pointing to the service of housing institutions, as the ministry provides comprehensive care for the elderly residing in the Muharraq Social Care Center, which includes living, social, health, psychological and recreational care according to the needs of each individual, in addition to the service of day institutions that care for the elderly during the day, to provide educational and rehabilitation activities and services to improve their quality of life, as these homes are managed by civil society institutions within the framework of effective community partnership. She explained that the shelter institutions follow up on the elderly and record social and psychological changes, enhance communication with the family and the outside community, and develop a daily program to provide living services, social and recreational activities, in addition to health care services, conducting medical examinations and necessary tests, providing treatment and nursing care according to the case, and physiotherapy services that begin with assessing the health condition and providing group and individual therapeutic exercises, supporting those unable to move through limb movement exercises, and providing an occupational therapy program that gives them the opportunity to practice manual work and hobbies, and rehabilitating them to perform some simple tasks to activate their motor skills, in addition to nutrition services and cultural and recreational programs. She indicated that the day care institutions for parents, licensed by the Ministry of Social Development, provide distinguished projects that aim to operate buildings or small housing units in the middle of residential neighborhoods to provide day care for the elderly. By 2024, the number of these institutions has reached 13 institutions distributed across all governorates of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and are managed by civil society organizations, in order to further activate their societal role towards this group. These institutions seek to support the provision of comprehensive care and develop appropriate rehabilitation programs for them, and enhance their integration into society, including in national and religious events, in addition to the programs and services provided, including, but not limited to, the social care program, which includes a range of services, including recording all changes that occur in their conditions to achieve the best adaptation with their families, training them in life skills, and maintaining contact with society by organizing visits and external tours, and providing living and social services, support care, and family guidance programs, in addition to psychological and behavioral care services and programs. Al-Awinati emphasized the role of legislation and policies in developing social work, as laws have been developed that raise the level of protection of their rights and ensure that they receive the best necessary care services. The national strategy for the elderly and its executive plan have also been updated, and the internal regulations of shelter institutions have been developed, in addition to paying attention to technology and applications, as lectures and seminars have been provided remotely, and various applications have been implemented to facilitate the provision of services through government platforms, and support student projects related to improving their quality of life. She added: There are efforts being made to prepare survey studies related to the elderly, as the Ministry conducts research studies in cooperation with academic institutions, with the aim of discussing ways to continue meeting their aspirations and needs, in addition to providing quality of life programs that seek to improve the quality of life, pointing to the service of benefiting from the experiences and capabilities of retired elderly, which aims to benefit from their experiences and specializations in various fields, through several programs and activities. Al-Awainati explained that the elderly are the beacon of inexhaustible giving, and the true symbol of perseverance, stressing the Ministry's keenness to enhance their involvement in society, benefit from their experiences, and deepen family and community ties to ensure their continued integration into daily life, in appreciation of their great role in transferring experiences and values ​​to future generations, noting that this interest enhances the concept of social solidarity, and reflects the vision of the Kingdom of Bahrain towards achieving a cohesive and inclusive society for all.