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New home for the aged

DUBAI — Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services (Dohms) is setting up a 'Home for the Aged' equipped with facilities to cater to their need for medical and nursing services as well as entertainment.

Masooma Ahmed, head of the social services at the Primary Health Care, an affiliate of Dohms, said the services provided for the old people at the Home for Aged are comprehensive meeting all the needs of the inmates including physiotherapy.

It is also proposed to organise tours for the aged to different landmarks including museums, shopping malls, archaeological sites and factories apart from venues of religious and cultural festivals. Other activities planned for them are visits to educational institutions to interact with students and government departments to keep them updated on their financial rights.

The management of the Home will endeavour to ensure that the old people are not isolated or abandoned. They will be made to feel an integral part of society, Masooma said. The management will also keep an eye on aged persons living with their families.

At present, meetings are on with other institutions in Dubai, which could extend their services to the aged, she said. Elaborating, she said the Department held a meeting with Dubai Police at which the focus was on the services the emirate's law enforcement authority could provide to the aged.

These, she said, include the renewal of the trade and driving licences and helping the elderly to complete the medical checks necessary to ensure that they were capable of driving. Police could also facilitate individuals who desire to transport the senior citizens to the festivals which are often held in Dubai.

The meeting, she said, also reviewed incidents of violence against the aged, information regarding which was gathered during house-to-house visits by the social welfare services officers and the possibility of police intervention in such cases. Doctors would be consulted regarding the special needs of the aged patients.

Special programmes are also planned to increase awareness in society about how to deal with the aged and providing them with medical and psychiatric help. Warda Al Halian, social worker spoke at length on the house-to-house visits programme and the health and social services provided to the aged.