Elderly

Aging is a natural process characterized by physical changes resulting from the accumulation of molecular and cellular byproducts over time. These accumulations gradually lead to a decline in physical and mental capacities, as well as an increased risk of chronic illnesses, which may eventually result in death. However, these changes are not universally deterministic, as their impact varies among individuals. While some enjoy good health and remarkable vitality even in their seventies, others may experience frailty and dependence due to health deterioration. The variability in aging effects is influenced by factors, such as:

• Genetics
• Lifestyle
• Quality of healthcare

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The government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques dedicates its efforts to caring for the elderly, driven by a commitment to improving their quality of life and enhancing the services provided to them. The Ministry has launched many initiatives aimed at supporting this group, both in society in general and within the social care homes supervised by the Ministry. These efforts reflect the recognition of the value of the elderly's contributions, whether through volunteer work or transferring their acquired knowledge and experiences to future generations. To celebrate this role, the International Day of Older Persons is globally observed to highlight their contributions. 

Through its participation in this Day, the Ministry aims to emphasize the Islamic values that promote reverence and respect for the elderly, showcase their societal role and capacity for ongoing contributions, and raise awareness of their rights while supporting local and international efforts aimed at this demographic.

The Ministry provides comprehensive care to the elderly, covering health, social, and psychological aspects, through 12 social care homes across Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the Ministry provides financial and material aid to the needy elderly individuals and their families through the Social Security Agency. Furthermore, assistive devices such as wheelchairs, medical beds, and hearing aids are also provided. Moreover, a home care program ensures follow-up care for the elderly within their family setting is also provided.

Under the National Transformation Program, the Ministry is working on establishing 5 model units that meet the health and psychological needs of the elderly, including physical therapy services and health clubs. The Ministry also supports the establishment of 13 non-profit associations specializing in elderly services to cover all regions of Saudi Arabia. In addition, the Ministry collaborates with the Family Affairs Council in drafting the Elderly Rights Law, which aims to protect this group from abuse, ensure their rights, and provide the best services that meet their needs.

Statistics from the General Authority for Statistics indicate that the elderly population in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is approximately 1.03 million, representing 5% of the total population. Article 27 of the Basic Law of Governance guarantees the rights of the elderly, stating: "the State shall guarantee the rights of the citizens and their families in cases of emergency, illness, disability and old age. The State shall support the Social Insurance Law and encourage organizations and individuals to participate in philanthropic activities." These rights stem from the importance of providing care and respect to a group that has made numerous contributions and sacrifices, and thereby deserving the highest levels of service, gratitude, and necessary facilities to ensure a dignified life.

The New Law approved by the Council of Ministers grants the elderly special privileges to protect their social, financial and legal rights. It also imposes strict penalties, including fines or imprisonment on those who abuse or exploit the finances of the elderly, whether individuals or legal entities. Additionally, the law aims to ensure studies and research are conducted and data is provided to develop elderly-specific services, support volunteer activities, and adapt public facilities, commercial establishments, residential neighborhoods, surrounding environments, and mosques to meet the needs of the elderly.

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Executive Regulations of the Elderly Rights and Care Law

The Law consists of 23 Articles explaining the mechanisms for dealing with and caring for the elderly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Article (2) specifies that the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, in coordination with relevant authorities, shall achieve the following objectives: Enabling the elderly to live in an environment that preserves their rights and dignity. Raising community awareness and education regarding the rights of the elderly to ensure respect and esteem. Providing documented statistical data about the elderly for use in related studies and research, assisting in the development of plans and programs. Organizing and implementing programs suitable for the elderly that enhance their skills, experiences, and hobbies, while promoting their integration into society. Encouraging capable elderly individuals to continue working.

Article (3) asserts that the elderly have the right to live with their family, who are responsible for their care and housing, in accordance with the provisions set forth in Article (6) of the Law.

In 1991 (1411 AH), the United Nations General Assembly adopted a document of principles regarding the rights of the elderly, which includes five main principles:

• Independence: Emphasizing the elderly's right to access basic needs such as food, water, clothing, shelter, and healthcare. It also allows for paid work, education, and training to ensure their independence.
• Participation: Ensuring that the elderly are involved in shaping and implementing policies that affect their well-being and in transferring their knowledge and experiences to younger generations. It also allows them to form movements and associations representing their interests.
• Care: Focusing on providing family and healthcare for the elderly, ensuring their human rights and basic freedoms, whether in their homes or healthcare facilities.
• Self-Realization: Empowering the elderly to develop their full potential by utilizing educational, cultural, and other community resources.
• Dignity: Ensuring the elderly live with dignity and security, free from exploitation or abuse, and treating them fairly regardless of age, gender, or background. It emphasizes their appreciation and respect, regardless of their economic contributions.

These principles serve as a comprehensive humanitarian framework for the elderly care, ensuring their enjoyment of basic rights at all stages of life.

The elderly individuals make significant contributions to society through volunteer work and by sharing their life experiences and knowledge with younger generations. To recognize their contributions, the International Day of Older Persons is celebrated globally each year on October 1st. This day provides an opportunity to highlight the substantial contributions of the elderly to society and to raise awareness about the challenges they face in today's world. Currently, there are over 800 million elderly individuals (aged 60 and above) worldwide, and this number is expected to exceed two billion by 2050. Elderly individuals often face various health issues specific to their age group, such as mobility limitations and dependence on others for daily needs. Some may also experience physical, mental, and psychological problems that require long-term medical care. It is crucial to assist the elderly, especially when psychological issues arise, as they are often hesitant to seek help.

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The elderly are more susceptible to a range of health issues, including physical, mental, psychological, and social aspects. Therefore, regular health monitoring and prevention are essential to minimize negative impacts and reduce the risk and complications of these conditions.

Factors Affecting Elderly Health

Individual Factors:

• Habits and behaviors
• Age-related changes
• Genetic factors
• Disease conditions

Environmental Factors:

• Home environment
• Assistive technologies
• Transportation
• Social facilities

Common Health Problems Among the Elderly

First: Physical Health Problems:

The physical problems faced by the elderly include a range of diseases and conditions that affect their quality of life, including:

• Chronic diseases: such as diabetes, high blood pressure, incontinence, osteoporosis, poor vision and hearing, and cancer.
• Heart diseases: among the most common diseases in this age group.
• Accidents and injuries: including falls and fractures due to osteoporosis or muscle weakness.
• Musculoskeletal and motor issues: including arthritis, gait disorders, balance problems, and difficulty moving.
• Malnutrition: including conditions like wasting or obesity.
• Respiratory diseases: such as influenza and pneumonia.
• Nervous system diseases: such as strokes and Parkinson’s disease.
• Digestive issues: including reduced taste sensation, digestive inefficiency, and constipation.
• Dehydration: due to insufficient fluid intake.
• Oral and dental issues: such as tooth loss and deteriorating oral hygiene.

Second: Mental and Psychological Problems:

• Psychological and Mental health issues: including dementia, Alzheimer's, depression, and delirium, which significantly affect cognition and memory.
• Sleep disorders: a common issue among the elderly, affecting their quality of life.

Third Social Issues:

• Social isolation: which may result from the loss of family or friends or limited social participation.
• Decreased functional performance: leading to the loss of independence in performing daily activities.

Importance of Prevention and Care

These issues require multi-faceted medical and social interventions, including awareness, early detection, and appropriate treatment. For more details on healthcare services provided to the elderly, visit the Ministry of Health's dedicated page.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia generally offers e-services to all citizens and residents without discrimination based on gender, age, religion, ethnicity, or other factors. However, special services are provided for the elderly to meet their unique needs and protect their rights. These services include:

Healthcare Services

• “Sehhaty” Platform

A unified electronic platform affiliated with the Ministry of Health that allows users to access health information and utilize a variety of healthcare services provided by various entities within Saudi Arabia's healthcare sector.

• 937 Service

An e-service providing medical consultations via voice calls.

• Medical Appointment Booking (Sehhaty)

This e-service enables users to book in-person or remote medical appointments by selecting the healthcare center, service, and desired date and time without needing to visit the facility. Users can also view past and upcoming appointments, and cancel or reschedule future appointments. Additionally, the service allows users to add appointments to their mobile calendars.

• Instant Medical Consultations Service

An e-service offering the user instant (remote) medical consultations with doctors accredited by the Ministry of Health. Users can provide a brief description of their condition, list any diseases or allergies, and review current or past consultations.

• Psychological and Mental Counseling (“Qareboon”)

This e-service, provided by the National Center for Mental Health Promotion, offers psychological and mental health consultations overseen by specialized professionals through the “Qareboon” app. The application represents a comprehensive library containing limitless information about mental health using the latest methods and techniques, such as text materials, infographics, and visual content (videos).

• Home Healthcare Services

Electronic services provide healthcare that ensures the satisfaction of the patient and their family, in addition to safe care at the patient's home with the presence of their family. The following services are offered: home nursing care, medical care, home rehabilitation and physical therapy, home nutrition services, home respiratory care, home social services, home mental health services, virtual home health services, medication management, and other supportive services.

• Elderly Home Care

An e-service provided by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. This service offers home care programs for the elderly within their family environment. The program educates families on proper physical and psychological care for the elderly and provides physical therapy sessions. A care team comprising a doctor, psychologist, social worker, physical therapist, and personal care provider delivers the necessary care to the elderly at home.

• Medication and Prescription Viewing

This e-service allows users to access prescribed medications, view detailed information, and manually add medications.

• Treatment Services

An e-service offered by the General Organization for Social Insurance. This e-service enables hospital supervisors to input treatment time, date, type and costs, as well as the details of medications.

Locations of Healthcare Services

• Primary Healthcare Centers

Open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, accessible via interactive maps.

• Urgent Care Centers

Operate 24/7 through designated health centers.

• Hospital Emergency Departments

Accessible 24/7 via interactive maps.

Social care homes serve as safe havens for citizens aged 60 and above who are unable to meet their basic needs, with lack of sufficient support from family or relatives. These homes are also designated for the care of patients and elderly individuals with no caregivers or those referred to these homes by hospitals, provided they are free from infectious or mental illnesses.

Social care homes offer comprehensive residential services, including social, medical and psychological care, aimed at enhancing the quality of life for residents. Additionally, a variety of recreational, cultural, professional and sports activities are organized to foster social interaction and maintain active participation. Some of these activities include:

Elderly Gathering Hall

It aims to create an environment for the elderly to spend their time in relaxation, as well as to connect the present with the past and benefit from the experiences of previous generations, while providing a communication channel between parents and children.

Elderly's Privilege Card for Services and Benefits

The new Elderly Rights and Care Law stipulates the protection of the rights and care of the elderly, ensuring the quality of their lives by granting them special privileges and safeguarding their social, financial and legal rights.

The Law offers a privilege card for the elderly, enabling cardholders to receive priority access to services, discounts on public services provided by the government, private, and non-governmental entities, as well as facilitating and expediting all procedures related to them.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a Saudi citizen.
• Must be 60 years of age or older.
• Eligible beneficiaries who meet these criteria are automatically granted the card.

These programs are overseen by a specialized team of qualified professionals from various fields who work diligently to provide the best services and ensure the comfort of residents. This ensures a dignified environment befitting their lifelong contributions of the elderly. For more information on the Regulations of Social Care Homes, click here.

Conditions for Accepting the Elderly in the Care Home

• Must be a Saudi citizen.
• Must be 60 years of age or older and unable to work or manage personal affairs due to old age. Individuals below 60 may be accepted if a social assessment proves the necessity of including them in the home's services.
• A medical examination must confirm that they are free from contagious, infectious, psychological, or mental illnesses that could endanger their safety or that of other residents.
• Lack of family support or inability of the family to provide necessary services.

The Saudi Elderly Support Organization "WAQAR" was established in 1437 AH, as a non-profit charity organization registered with the National Center for Non-Profit Sector Development under registration number 728. Its headquarters is located in Riyadh, and it provides services across all regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The idea of founding the Saudi Elderly Support Organization "WAQAR" came from a group of individuals concerned with the elderly affairs, including members of the Shura Council, doctors, academics, and others interested in this file. They recognized the pressing need for such a specialized organization, and understood that the elderly in Saudi Arabia had not received the adequate attention and care they deserve. WAQAR aims to support the elderly by providing relief and educational programs, and raising awareness among beneficiaries and their companions.

WAQAR Strategic Objectives

• Raise awareness and interest in the care of the elderly.
• Provide a variety of comprehensive programs for the elderly using innovative methods.
• Improve administrative and organizational operations.
• Invest in volunteer work.
• Build strategic partnerships with entities and sectors to enhance the services provided to the elderly.
• Establish social and economic investment projects.
• Secure financial resources and sponsorships from individuals and organizations.
• Increase the Organization's assets.
• Conduct studies and research on the elderly's issues.
• Develop the skills of employees.
• Create and promote the "WAQAR" brand.

To donate to the Organization, click here.

The Ministry of Justice offers mobile notary services free of charge to help beneficiaries who are unable to visit notary offices, including the elderly over 65 years of age, patients, people with disabilities, as well as hospital residents, care home residents, and holders of the Ministry of Health's (Awlawiya) card.

This service allows the notary to visit the beneficiary's location, according to available schedules, to complete transactions immediately without the need to visit the notary office. This service ensures time and effort are saved and offers the highest level of comfort and flexibility. To access this service, click here (App Store — Google Play).

Housing Support Request Service

An electronic service launched by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, aimed at citizens for registering on the ministry's housing support list. This service automatically checks the eligibility of applicants based on housing support criteria, approving or rejecting applications through an electronic linkage with relevant government bodies.

Developmental Housing

Developmental housing is one of the Ministry of Housing's initiatives, aiming to provide housing units for the most needy families in society, particularly those under the care of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development's "Social Security" program, and who have completed their application on the housing support portal. Housing units are provided to the most needy families through various options, including:

• Housing units available from the ministry in all regions of Saudi Arabia.
• Constructing and building new housing units.
• Direct purchase of suitable available housing units.

To ensure a quick response to the families' needs, partnership agreements have been made with approximately 300 charitable associations across Saudi Arabia. These associations are responsible for communicating with families, assisting them in identifying suitable housing, and managing the delivery and operation of housing units.

Taqdeer Service

As part of its commitment to providing exceptional services for the elderly and people with disabilities, the Civil Affairs Agency at the Ministry of Interior has launched the "Taqdeer" service. This service enables beneficiaries to receive civil affairs services at their location, whether at home, in hospitals, prisons, or care homes, for citizens aged 85 years and older. These individuals can request a visit from a civil affairs employee to provide identity services at their place of residence.

How to Benefit from the Service

• Apply via Absher Platform: The beneficiary or their relative can access the Absher platform, select Civil Affairs services, then choose the 'Taqdeer' service. They must fill out the required form and specify their location.
• Specify Targeted Category:

• Elderly (85 years and older): The application is accepted directly without the need for medical reports.

• Under 84 years: Documents proving the need for the service are required, such as a medical report.

• Visit Coordination: After submitting the application, coordination is made with the nearest Civil Affairs Office to schedule a visit by the service team to the beneficiary's location.

Service Benefits

• The service is provided at the beneficiary’s location, saving them the trouble of traveling.
• It includes issuing and renewing national identity cards and updating personal data.
• The service targets the elderly, sick, and people with disabilities, reflecting the Ministry’s commitment to providing comprehensive services to all community members.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is committed to combating and eradicating illiteracy. The Ministry of Education has developed specialized programs to educate adults, targeting all illiterate groups. These programs are provided free of charge. The Ministry has also laid out a clear roadmap early on to combat illiteracy in various regions and governorates. Additionally, the Ministry has launched field educational campaigns in remote areas to reach their residents and provide them with basic education. These efforts have led to a reduction in illiteracy rates in Saudi Arabia to 5.6%. Moreover, Saudi Arabia ensures the rights of the elderly through laws and regulations concerning adult education and literacy, reflecting its commitment to achieving sustainable development.

The Ministry of Education has launched comprehensive initiatives and services aimed at the elderly to empower them with basic skills, enhance their participation in social and economic life, and guarantee their right to free education across all regions of Saudi Arabia, including remote areas. These services and initiatives include:

• Registration for Neighborhood Learning Centers Programs: 

A system for registering beneficiaries in programs offered by neighborhood learning centers, available to Saudi male/ female citizens aged 15 and older, interested in developing their life, educational and professional skills. The General Department of Continuing Education regularly updates the service link according to the hosting departments. To access the service, click here.

• Adult Education Schools: 

The General Department of Continuing Education offers free formal education services for the elderly who missed the opportunity to continue their education at all educational levels (primary, intermediate, and secondary), across all regions of Saudi Arabia. To access the service, click here.

• Registration for Summer Campaigns: 

Focused two-month campaigns held in areas where regular classes are difficult to organize. This service targets students in remote areas. Registration links are periodically provided at the start of the summer vacation. To access the service, click here.

• Eyen Channel for Adult Education and Enrichment Materials for the Elderly: 

A service that broadcasts educational programs and lessons for adult learners through an educational channel dedicated to the elderly. This service targets the education of the elderly. To access the service, click here.

• Registration for Illiteracy-Free Community Program: 

A service offered through an educational program for literacy that is characterized by flexibility and attraction, with financial incentives provided to increase motivation for enrollment. This service benefits illiterate individuals at their location, whether in urban or rural areas. The service link is published at the beginning of each new academic year. To access the service, click here.

• Registration for Adult Literacy Community Program: 

A service provided to the elderly through an educational program for literacy, characterized by flexibility and attraction, with financial incentives offered to enhance motivation for enrollment. This service benefits illiterate individuals at their locations across all regions, cities, and governorates all over Saudi Arabia. The General Directorate of Continuing Education publishes the service link at the beginning of each academic year. To access the service, click here.

• Registration for Continuing Education Forum: 

This service is a dedicated system for registering workshops and events of the Continuing Education Forum. It targets all teachers and leaders of continuing education schools, directors and heads of adult education departments, supervisors, and interested academics, both within and outside the Ministry. The General Directorate of Continuing Education regularly updates the service link based on the departments hosting the forum. To access the service, click here.

• Comprehensive E-Learning System for the Elderly: 

A system that connects education departments in regions and governorates with the General Directorate of Continuing Education to streamline routine administrative processes, such as submitting needs and various nominations. The service is designed for adult education departments and divisions across all regions and governorates of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. To access the service, click here.