Hilma Hashange
KING KAULUMA – Caretakers of elderly people are urged to refrain from taking advantage of the senior citizens, especially close family members who misuse and steal social grants meant for the pensioners.
According to Martha Ankambo, an administrative officer at the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare in the Oshikoto region, those found abusing the elderly will be dealt with accordingly.
“The grant is aimed for the wellbeing of elders, children and disabled persons. We have a list of caretakers who steal and misuse social grants of pensioners, this is unacceptable. Social grants are not for the youth,” Ankambo said.
She also informed the elders to avoid getting into debts using their social grants and urged businesspeople from giving credit to elders and withhold pensioners’ ID cards, stating that it was illegal to do so.
Ankambo was speaking at the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, observed yearly on 15 June. The event was held at King Kauluma in the Nehale Lya Mpingana constituency of the Oshikoto region, organised by the Ministry of Health and Social Services and was attended by elders and community members from the constituency. This year’s theme is “Seniors Deserve Our Respect and Attention”.
According to councillor for Nehale Lya Mpingana constituency Joseph Shilongo, elders need to be respected, guided and taken care of, adding that they should not be abused because even if they are old, their rights do not get old.
“Abuse can take many forms, be it physically or emotional. Always check up on your elders, see if they are comfortable where they are, their wellbeing is very important,” said the councillor.
He further stated that there are also some elders who abuse each other, hence they too need to be directed and informed about their rights. The councillor also called for the establishment of committees to assist the elders who are being abused.
“We need to work together with all stakeholders to report abuse of senior citizens. Do not be afraid to report an elder being abused even if they are not your relatives. Our elders are needed, they are wise and if they are abused and die, our nation will not go forward. Our elders are being abused for their social grant, they are being abused for N$1 300, money that they should use to buy blankets and clothes for themselves, so let us please respect our elders,” Shilongo said.
In the same vein, Awene Petrus, a primary health supervisor from the ministry of health urged the elders to take good care of themselves to live a longer life. He, however, stated that frailty in elders is common, especially from age 60.
“Elders are susceptible to fall and also get dementia. Elders’ diseases vary from person to person and can cause immediate immobility. The strength to walk and stand suddenly just stops. In every stage in a life of an elderly person, there will be a change, so please take care of yourselves because this can have an effect on how your body reacts to certain stages when you get older. The liver is your most previous organ so please take good care of it,” said Petrus.
He added that old age does not mean automatic sickness. Petrus said that some medication also makes the elders immune system weak and therefore advised caretakers to be vigilant when buying medication which is not properly explained to them.
“Let us refrain from running to pharmacies to purchase self-medication, instead please take the elders to their regular doctors and hospital for proper diagnosis,” he implored.
He also urged the elders against abusing their social grants on alcohol but should instead use it wisely to buy essentials such as fruits and vegetables that can boost their immune system.