Senior Citizens Day – a time to look at issues, concerns

“A society that does not value its older people denies its roots and endangers its future.” – Nelson Mandela

August 21 is World Senior Citizen’s Day. Today, we honor, celebrate and appreciate the senior citizens in our society for their services, contributions and accomplishments. We also commemorate the day by focusing on the issues that affect our seniors such as health, retirement funds, abuse and enforcement of their rights (discounts, exemptions and privileges) under the Senior Citizens Act or Republic Act 7432. As someone in his late fifties, I know that these issues are very important because many of them will also affect me in the near future. Nothing helps you focus on certain issues more than the realization that they will be personally relevant to you soon.

One of the primary issues affecting senior citizens today is access to health care and services. Over the years, several laws, policies and programs have been put in place to improve the lot of the elderly in terms of access to health-related needs. Unfortunately, there are still many elderly in the rural areas who have limited access to health care. There are several initiatives now being rolled out to conduct mobile testing for senior citizens and setting up cloud-based data to assist health providers monitor them and provide preventive health care and appropriate medical maintenance. Health cards for senior citizens to allow them easier and faster access are also effective tools to provide health access. Private initiative is needed to help kickstart more programs such as these. Local government officials who are eyeing reelection next year would do well to remember that senior citizens are the most active participant in electoral exercises and providing health care initiatives would make sense politically.

Another issue affecting our senior citizens is livelihood and economic well-being. Although many senior citizens have pensions, many feel that the amounts received are still insufficient to live a comfortable life. A concerted effort both by government and private entities to promote financial literacy by providing larger opportunities savings or fund management for those nearing retirement age would help a lot. Giving seniors more opportunities for part time employment similar to programs in other countries would also be a good way to augment their pensions.

A few weeks ago, the government of Iloilo City launched “Project Uswag para sa mga Katigulangan” which is a livelihood project to teach senior citizens arts and crafts for sustainable generating activities. Other than providing livelihood, the project aims to give senior citizens a sense of purpose even after they retire from the workforce. This would be a good project for both government and private entities to emulate. More often than not, seniors are more appreciative of these opportunities and would do well in these endeavors.

At the very least, retail and service establishments should honor the senior citizen discounts and avoid using schemes designed to “work around” giving the seniors their due. With limited funds, these discounts help senior citizens stretch their meager resources.

Lastly, many of our senior citizens have been having issues with their emotional well-being. Cases of elderly abuse and neglect especially in urban settings have been increasing. Though Filipinos generally still respect and care for their family elders, there are still senior citizens who fall through the cracks of the family care net. Perhaps, more programs for institutional care for abandoned elderly should be instituted.

Today’s senior citizens are our parents, grandparents, and other elder relatives. They are the last of their generation. Each of them has contributed in their own way to the well-being of their families and country. One day, all of us will be senior citizens, if we are lucky. Perhaps, it is time for all of us to do our part in addressing the issues facing each of the elderly.

This is my oblique observation.

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in the foregoing article are solely the author’s and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the Philippine News Agency (PNA) or any other office under the Presidential Communications Office.