Chiepe appeals for care for the elders
Amanda Dichabe | Tuesday April 28, 2015 14:45
The former cabinet minister was speaking during the seventh University of Botswana Walk and Health Care fair, which was held under the theme ‘Living Better and Longer Beyond 50’ in Gaborone recently.
Chiepe said the government efforts alone could not be enough to achieve the goal of improving the health of the ageing.
“The aged sector involves everyone and this starts with our leaders in the provision of intermediate and long term care sector who should play a pivotal role in charting the future direction of aged care,” she said.
She noted that the fast ageing population around the world is presenting challenges for the developed and developing countries including Botswana. Chiepe said some of those challenges include strains on pension and social security systems, increased demand for healthcare, increased need for a trained health workforce, among others.
She added that health care systems must be ready to address the needs of the ageing population.
“Availability and accessibility of effective healthcare for the ageing which includes, access to basic primary care, early detection and management of common conditions such as hypertension and diabetes can allow older people to maintain their health and capacity to live independently and longer,” she said.
Chiepe said while people are busy, they should start helping a much larger population of seniors so they grow with grace and dignity.
During the event, an environmental health student at UB, Leeme Baruti said this year they decided to focus more on the elderly people as at often times they seem to be neglected. “A lot is being done concerning issues that affects the youth well being, but nothing or less its being done when it comes to the elderly people, elderly people are neglected,” he said.
He noted that about 60 percent of the elderly had poor nutrition because they live alone or they are financially handicapped. Because of this, he said majority could not afford healthy nutritious food or were generally unaware of what a healthy, nutritious diet entailed. While 80 percent reported to have been diagnosed with mental illness, yet 54 percent showed signs of depression.
Baruti urged young Batswana to start giving elderly people the recognition, love and care they deserve. “Most of us are who we are because of the elderly people (our grandparents) we should also give back to them and show they love,” he said.
A participant in the walk, 73-year-old Goitsemang Modisane of Mochudi commended the UB students and their mentor/lecturer Dr Bontle Mbongwe of the good work they are doing.
Modisane said if only elderly people had a place where they could gather around and chat as elderly people they would be happy as they are constantly bored and not catered for when it comes to organising entertainment. “Most of us attend church so that we can socialise but that is not enough as church time is limited and we cannot discuss things which affect us as elderly people,” she said.