Older persons address their common issues

It was a day of singing and dancing as older persons from different provinces started their first day of the Active Ageing Programme.
The Older Persons had not met for their Active Ageing Programme in two years because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This year’s Active Ageing Programme was held in Ekurhuleni, under the theme, ‘Contribution and Resilience of Older Persons in a Changing World’.
Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu was joined by Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi and MEC of Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Mbali Hlophe.

Not deterred by the heavy rains, they were clad in their traditional attire and showcased their different talents by singing their hearts out and getting ready for the Golden Games.
The programme commenced with the National Older Persons Dialogue, which culminated in the National Golden Games in which older persons participated in various sporting activities, including soccer for men and women, athletics, duck walking, brisk walking, ring the stick and more at the Germiston Stadium.

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The three-day programme brought together 1 500 older persons across the country under the auspices of the South African Older Persons Forum to focus on matters affecting them such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Taking place within the context of the 16 Days Of Activism against GBV, the programme also focused on the abuse and exploitation of older persons, with the view to strengthen caring families and communities in which older persons can age gracefully.
“According to Statistics South Africa’s 2022 mid-year estimates, the population of older persons, those aged 60 years and above, especially older women, is growing thanks to the improved life expectancy. From 7.6% in 2002 to 9.1 % in 2020, it is estimated that the population of older persons will be over seven million by 2030. Key amongst others, this longevity can be attributed to improved access to health care, education, water and sanitation and healthy lifestyle choices,” said Department of Social Development Editor-in-Chief Lumka Oliphant.

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“Guided by the Older Persons Act (Act 13 of 2006) and the Madrid Plan of Action on Ageing, the Department of Social Development in partnership with the Departments of Health, Sports and Recreation and the South African Older Persons Forum introduced the Active Ageing Programme. This is to transform the ageing experience and empower senior citizens to stay active and engaged so that they can continue to enjoy healthy and purposeful lives,” she said.
Not to be left behind by the digital winds of change, older persons came equipped with their smartphones too to record and send their photographs to families back at home.
Helen Nkadimeng (65) said she used her phone to keep in touch with her friends and loved ones on Facebook and WhatsApp.
Not to be outdone too, Nomvula Leotlela (65), from the Free State said she was not only on Facebook but Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
“I cannot be bored when there is a whole world to interact with,” she said.

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Alzheimer’s
On the first day, older persons also were given knowledge and information on Alzheimer’s disease which mostly affects the elderly.
According to the National Institute on Ageing, Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory, thinking skills and eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest of tasks.
The disease is incurable, but the quality of life can be improved with the right information. Some of its symptoms include, amongst others, loss of memory, mental decline, difficulty in thinking and understanding, confusion in the evening hours, delusion, disorientation, making things up, mental confusion, difficulty concentrating, confusion with time or place and trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships.
Lorraine Sepeng from Alzheimer’s South Africa informed older persons that Alzheimer’s is a brain disease. “If you have a brain disease or any disease, you have limitations on your body. For example, you cannot function at full capacity,” she said.
“To reduce the severity of dementia, we advised elder persons to refrain from spending much time alone, join older person clubs, exercise, eat healthy food and participate in different societal activities in their communities,” said Sepeng.
Alzheimer’s South Africa further emphasised the effects of the disease on family members of the elderly. Older persons were encouraged to use the Alzheimer’s Helpline, 0860 102 681, to get professional help.
“We encourage them to spread the dementia message and become ambassadors who share information with their communities. This would help to minimise instances where people who suffer from Alzheimer’s are accused of witchcraft,” said Sepeng.

Expressing her concern about Alzheimer’s, Sarah Molobi, from Bojanala District, in Rustenburg, North West Province, said she was pained by the many older persons killed after being wrongfully accused of witchcraft.
“I think the youth must respect older persons because they play an important role in taking care of the grandchildren. There are also a lot of cultural values young persons can learn from us as older persons,” said Molobi.
Solomon Nhlapo, another 64-year-old, from Delmas in Mpumalanga, who has a disability said that the economic inclusion of elders was very important to him. Older persons are often excluded from mainstream economic activities once they reach an age of maturity, yet they have so much to contribute.

He further added many older persons retired with a wealth of knowledge and experience that can be shared with the young and upcoming generation who find themselves unemployed and roaming the streets without any productive work to do.
Chief Director for Professional Support and Older Persons for the National Department of Social Development, Civil Legodu, said South Africa must remember that the rights of older persons rights are human rights too.
She further warned that South Africa, similarly to other countries across the globe, is experiencing a heightening number of older persons.
“This demands preparedness to respond to the needs of older persons as well as collaborative planning and resourcing for the integrated provision of services to them,” she said.