As part of Older Persons Month in October, the North West Department of Social Development is renewing its call for the protection of older people.
The department also views the observance as an opportunity to honour the valuable contribution of senior citizens to society.
MEC Sussana Dantjie indicated that several programmes aimed at improving the quality of life of older people across the province are ongoing.
“As a department, we are funding more than 100 community-based care and support services that provide a wide range of services, including nutritious, balanced meals, personal care, physical exercise, home-based care, visits, house cleaning for older people, as well as educational awareness,” Dantjie explained.
She called for greater collaboration to protect the rights of senior citizens, reminding the public to ensure that their rights to dignity, respect, inclusion and safety are upheld.
Dantjie praised the role of older people in shaping history and stressed that their lived experiences should be preserved for future generations.
She also advised families to contact the department through their ward councillors or directly at its offices for assistance with transferring elderly relatives to residential facilities for older people.
