Implications of policy on the needs and interests of elderly population

Despite the rapid growing ageing population of the elderly in Botswana, like the rest of the world they face uncertain future because their needs and interest are largely invisible on Botswana policy agenda said University of Botswana Head of the Department of Law.

Dr Dinokopila was speaking at the Global Innovation workshop on Ageing, Frailty and Resilience organized by University of Botswana School of Madison and the University of Birmingham (UK) on September 25, 2018 at Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital Auditorium. The objective of the workshop was to explore ageing, frailty and resilience in Botswana in the face of demographic transition. He said there are no rights that specifically speak to rights of older people to maintain and promote the rights, status, wellbeing, safety and their security leading to abusive situations such as marginalization, discrimination, neglect, isolation, poverty and depression as they age by family members Dr Dinokopila.

He said that those receiving old age grants are also open to financial abuse by other family members and may not fully benefit from this income. He said the problem is compounded by mechanisms available such as the police and social workers which are not specifically integrated to deal with specific issues affecting elderly people and lack of knowledge on their rights and financials to engage law advocates.

However their main concern for elderly population is healthcare provisions and pension said Dr Dinokopila.”Their most likely face challenges associated with ageing, such as: increased need of care for the growing older population and their families, increased demand for elderly healthcare services, increased social expenditure, greater provision of elderly household and consumptive needs; and enhanced role of older persons and focus on their needs in the political arena.

He further stated that health challenges for the elderly are worsened by small pension schemes that cover very few people due to the informality of most livelihood activities and employment. He said most societies are predominantly rural and much of the population operates outside the security of formal sector and wage-dependent markets.

He also made number of recommendations aimed at improving elderly problem such as programmes which can facilitate the awareness of ageing implications need to be implemented and strengthened. He also recommended governments should include the ageing issue in their policy planning by adapting their national budgetary provision, boosting pension and social protection schemes, targeting health care, and supporting community and family care.

Clinical Psychologist Thato Molefi said elderly people are entitled to free health care in the public health system, but they struggle to access quality care because of health system capacity constraints and age-related barriers to access.  She said Health services tend to be clinic-based and focused on acute conditions. She also said the health system does not have the capacity to deal with the complex needs of older people with multiple continuing conditions. She also added that healthcare workers may also have negative attitudes towards older people which can affect care and as a result, manageable health issues are overlooked or attributed to the ageing process, resulting in low levels of functioning, poorer health outcomes and diminished quality of life.

Meanwhile Pabalelong Hospice Sister Vinayi Chalil said the healthcare problem is critical because of the long-term chronic conditions associated with growing old, such as heart disease, cancer, respiratory, hypertension, disorders and dementia. She further stated that problems such as HIV epidemics, poor education outcomes, unemployment, and lack of access to basic services and general poverty and working age group affect the youth to provide care for their elders. “Older people’s pensions are also often shared within households to supplement other social grant and wage income,” said Ms Chailil