Documenting needs of senior citizens

Septuagenarian Khamees Ahmed Khamees from Khorfakkan considers himself lucky to have his children taking care of him in his old age, but he knows that not everyone shares his luck.

The wizened old man plays a central role in a new documentary by the Community Development Authority (CDA) to raise awareness of the care and health of the elderly.

The film, which explains the basics of serving the elderly, is the initial step in a long-term campaign by the authority. Speaking to Emirates Business, Sheikh Maktoum bin Butti Al Maktoum, CEO of the CDA, said: "The main objective of the documentary is to educate viewers about the basics of how to talk to, feed and bathe the elderly. It is an approach to spread awareness. Through the documentary we expect people to learn to take care of elderly people at home."

Meanwhile, Khamees believes it is shameful for the community that children leave their parents in old-age homes. "It is irresponsible behaviour, something that religion does not teach. Children looking after their old parents makes the community stronger," he said. "I am lucky to be among my family; I am not suffering as I am getting all the care that I need."

As part of the campaign, a DVD with the documentary will be distributed to families with elderly members. For this, the CDA requires details about elderly people in Dubai, which is a tough task.

"Our challenge is that we do not have a database of the number of aged people in Dubai. Hopefully, we will have it by the end of the year," Sheikh Maktoum said.

Companionship in old age is another key factor in caring for the elderly. Mohammed Abdul Rahman Ali Al Bishri, aged 70, enjoys going to old-age homes, where he gets to interact with people of his age.

"I go there with my children for physical treatment. I enjoy communicating with other people there. We speak on many topics like how the current community is different from the past," he said.

For some, like Mughawe Sweidan, however, the old-age home is home. "At the centre I meet and talk to many old people and give them advice, which is very nice," said the 64-year-old. He has been living at the facility for four years.

For the CDA, the documentary is just a stepping-stone. To keep the elderly active, it intends progressing towards a social club and a training centre. Sheikh Maktoum said: "By the end of 2010, we will build capacity for these facilities."

5,000 households surveyed

Over 5,000 households have been polled in the first comprehensive Dubai Household Health Survey, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) said yesterday.

Carried out over the past year, the survey is the most comprehensive in the Gulf. Half the number surveyed were UAE national households, while the rest were expatriate. The results will be analysed over the next 18 months. Households were asked about expenditure on health, health coverage, overseas healthcare, fertility and childhood mortality, as well as looking at certain medical conditions.

Laila Al Jassmi, CEO of Health Policy and Strategy Sector at the DHA, said the objective was to understand the needs of nationals, residents and visitors.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.