Government engages elders

Elderly people in the Free State continue to feel neglected, abused and vulnerable in their own communities and are asking government and society to protect them from the social ills they are facing, to make the final days of their lives on earth worthwhile.

These sentiments came to the fore during the session of the older persons’ parliament last week at the Free State Legislature in Bloemfontein. Eighty old people from all five districts of the province gathered at the legislature in the hope that their concerns would be heard and something will be done about them.

“The purpose of the parliament is to solicit views and look at the challenges faced by the elderly as well as to show appreciation to them for their involvement in the building of our nation. Furthermore it seeks to take stock of the progress and impact that government has made, and to ensure that policy pronouncements are implemented,” said the provincial coordinator – Office on the Status of Older Persons in the department of the premier, Refilwe Masamane.

Masamane added that the parliament was also a build- up to the International Day of Older Persons that is celebrated annually to raise awareness about the impact of an ageing population and the need to ensure people grow old with dignity and continue to participate in society as citizens with full rights.

“The older persons today were offered a platform to tell the government what they needed. We have taken note of that and the premier has instructed us to draw a programme to address the older people’s needs,” added Masamane.

During this dialogue the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) came under intense scrutiny. The new smart card is proving to be a difficult tool for old people to use to access their pension.

Their challenges ranged from the long queues at the retail store to forgetting their pin codes.

“Sassa smart cards are a bit tricky for us to use because we forget our PIN codes. This is because if the first day of the month falls on a Saturday, this means we have to go to the retail stores for our money.

This is where all these young people getting child grand are packed in long queues. They push us around and skip the queue. They do not respect us,” said Emily Mokganisi.

“When I finally reach a paying point I am tired and confused, and have forgotten my PIN code. This is frustrating and saddening. Please, we need help from our government.

Why don’t you open community halls during these days and please separate us from these unruly young people. Also, bring back the old way of using my finger to access my pension money.”

One of the major challenges that older persons encounter include healthcare services. In the rural areas of the province, old people walk long distances to clinics and wait in long queues. To make matters worse, these queues are cut and some of them have to go back home without having received medical care. This means they will have to take a long walk again the following day to the clinic.

“Patient transport is a problem in Bothaville. Old people have to wait in a container placed outside the clinic premises for this transport. The sad reality is that they have to leave their home a day before because the ambulance leaves around 3:30.

These old people leave their home before 15:00, because the taxis stop operating at that time.

“They wait at the container from 15:00 until the following day at 4:00. There is no water, nor toilets here. This vehicle will reach Welkom at 18:00. The clinic is not open at this time, and then they will have to wait until 9:00 before they can receive any kind of healthcare service,” said one of the elder during the parliament.

Old people from these areas consider this an abuse and they are pleading with government to help them.

Their concern is that it is not safe for them to walk long distances alone at night or in the early hours of the morning to health facilities. This exposes them to a myriad of dangers.

The same situation prevails in Frankfort where patient transport takes patients to Kroonstad.

The unregistered elderly people are also calling on the provincial government to recognise them. They were left out during the process of identifying and registering the aged in the province.

“We do not receive veterans’ special pension because we were told that we did not fill in the necessary forms. We are told we are late because the process is already closed. My request to the government is to have mercy and give us another opportunity to fill in these forms,” begged Tseko Matla from Lejweleputswa.

During the  session, old  people  recommended that there must be a medical aid to address the problem of overcrowding in clinics and hospitals. More old age home buildings are also needed to provide care and protection for them.

The government was also asked to consider increasing the old age pension and setting up a funeral policy for older persons.

RIGHTS OF OLDER PERSONS IN SA

Equality

• The right to equality before the law;
• The right not to be discriminated against solely on the grounds of age;
• The right to achieve our optimal level of well-being

Respect

• The right to respect and the duty to respect others;
• The right to privacy and to have our homes and possessions safeguarded;
• The right to be treated in a fair and dignified manner by state officials and professionals who serve us;
• The right to respect for our religious and cultural values

Freedom

• The right to freedom of conscience, language and belief;
• The right to freedom of expression and association;
• The right to freedom of movement and residence

RIGHTS OF OLDER PERSON LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY

• The right to social security or social assistance if unable to support ourselves or our dependents;
• The right to comfort and shelter while waiting for a public service;
• The right of access and treatment at health facilities and to rehabilitation to help maintain our optimum physical and mental well-being;
• The provision of a minimum supply of free water and electricity and access to rebates on property rates;
• The right to a home that can withstand the weather on habitable land;
• The right to an income adequate to provide food, water and shelter;
• The right to affordable and accessible transport;
• Wheel-chair access to public buildings and provision of assistive devices when necessary;
• The right to receive care at home when unable to seek outside care;
• Appropriate residential care when needed, regardless of financial status;
• Access to social and legal services when needed including training programmes and respite care if we care for others.

Protection

• The right to the full protection of the law;
• The right to protection from exploitation, abuse, violence, harassment and victimisation;
• The right not to be evicted without an order of court;
• The right to strict safety and security measures at pension pay-points;
• The right not to be deprived of property or assets except in terms of the law;
• The right not to be forced to retire solely on grounds of age;
• The right to have a dispute that can be resolved by a court of law decided in a fair, public hearing or in camera if requested;
• The right to live in an environment that is safe and adaptable to our changing capacities.

Participation

• The right to work and earn an income and to participate in decisions about retirement;
• The right of access to education and training programs, cultural, spiritual and recreational facilities;
• The right to information and to participate in community life, decision-making and consultation on policies that affect our well-being;
• The right to establish associations and share knowledge and skills with younger generations;
• The right to use our own language (including sign language) and participate in the culture of our choice;
• The opportunity to serve the community as volunteers according to our interests and capabilities.

RIGHTS OF OLDER PERSONS LIVING IN RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES

Care

• The right to receive care and assistance depending on need;
• The right to be cared for by trained and compassionate carers;
• The right to treatment by our own physician if we can afford it

Representation

• The right to be represented on the resident’s committee;
• The right to appoint a representative to act on our behalf, if necessary acting voluntarily or pro bono

Participation

• The right to visits from family and friends;
• The right to be informed about the financial state of the facility and changes in management;
• The right to participate in social, religious and community activities of choice

Respect

• The right to adequate notice of a proposed transfer or discharge;
• The right to privacy and to keep and use personal possessions;
• The right to be treated with respect by staff and management at all times

Safety and Security

• The right to protection from abuse and violence;
• The right to protection from physical hazards including fire and flood.

- Source: www.saops.org.za