Ageing With Dignity, Respect And Smile

Ameena Aullymun

November 13, 2009

Mauritius 

The decline in fertility rates worldwide, as in Mauritius, along with better medical care, which has improved one’s life expectancy, accounts for the rise of the ageing population. 

Fortunately here, in Mauritius, the State caters for its elders to the best of its ability. The population, in general, are not too scared when they think of their future retirement or about oldness days. At least, they know, there's the State to “provide something for them.”

On the International Day of the Elderly, in fact, Sheila Bappou, Minister of Social Security, acknowledged the fact that the State does not take elders to be a burden. On the contrary, old people are given due respect and are among the main priorities of the Government. 

“When you get old, it does not mean that you are no longer included in the society or that you must be rejected or abandoned. Instead it's from your experiences, courage and wisdom that we are learning to preserve our values and cultures, ” the Minister says . 

Her Ministry, Bappoo adds, has worked towards the construction of an all inclusive society, a society for all, through its ageing Policy, a plan of Action on the ageing population which aims at improving the conditions and quality of life. For her, sustainable Mauritius has no place “for exclusion” as senior citizens are symbol of courage and “must be given the opportunity to age with dignity, respect and smile.” 

What's more , the Ministry of Social Security has also helped in securing an extension for retirement age, which is now at 65, in order to promote production and economic activities among the ageing population. 

Welfare of elderly, a priority 
Raj Gowrea, Adviser in Communication Matters, from the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Senior Citizen Welfare and Reforms Institutions , says that since July 2005 the Government has adopted a series of reforms for the betterment of the elderly. Free transport has been granted to those aged 60 and above, old-age pension has been re-established on a universal basis, the total sum of which amounted to Rs 5.3 Billion for 2008/2009.

For Gowrea, pension for the elderly has always been a topper in the National Budget. This shows the importance that the Government attach to the elderly persons. To complement its series of reform in view to upheld the protection of elders along with preserving their dignity, the Ministry of Social Security has also enacted a law in 2005 known as ‘The Protection of the Elderly Persons Act’, which shield old persons against all kind of abuse, whether verbal, psychological, physical, sexual, emotional and economic.

The Ministry has even set up a network, the Elderly Watch, with 20 hotlines to denounce cases of abuse inside or outside the family, by kith and kin or by strangers. Cases of abuse or even negligence can be reported on the different hotlines which will then be handled by the Welfare and Elderly Persons’ Protection Unit. 

In fact, no stone has been left untouched in order to include senior citizens in the decision making process of the country. The Government has even adopted a new strategy whereby elders feel included into the politics of National Development, Leisure and Sports. 

To facilitate this task the Social Welfare Division from the Ministry Security in collaboration with the Senior Citizens’ Council has multiplied its community programmes whereby elders are initiated to IT, and where information on health issues are also disseminated with greater emphasis on chronic diseases. Family values and safe leisure along activities between different generations are also being encouraged. 

Still working at 79
Mrs Jameela Beeharry, who will be celebrating her 100th birthday on December 7, says she is happy with the facilities that the state provides her, such as the frequent visits of Doctors at her place in Port-Louis to ensure that she is in the best of health at this age. Concerning her monthly old age pension allocated to her, she says: “Though I don’t lack anything at home, I welcome the money. I can use it to buy things for my grand children ”. 

Mother of 12 children, of which 6 are already deceased, she has outlived her husband by more than 35 years. Mrs Beeharry has a very good memory and eats only light food. Her family says that she is in the best of health.

Mrs Feroza Chotoo, 79 years, from Vacoas, on the other hand, says that she is not happy with the government pension. Living a husband who hardly ever worked, Feroza says she is still struggling to make ends meet despite her pension and help from other persons. She has recently started working for someone. She cook “farata” and “dholl-puri” to supplement her income. Her two children who are now married do not live with her anymore. 

“My children visit me very rarely, twice in a year may be... they believe I did not live up to their expectation as a mother. At least, I have a roof above my head and bread to eat,” she says. 

Foyer Trochetia
At Petit Verger, Pointe aux Sables, there is a centre known as ‘Foyer Trochetia’ which caters for disabled old persons to the satisfaction of all its residents and their families. A food distribution programme has also been successfully launched by the Government to help elders living on their own and to those who receive a rent allocation of Rs1314 per month from the Ministry of Social Security. 

The Food Distribution Programme is done with the active collaboration of the Special Fund for the Welfare of the Elderly, which has been instituted with the aim of alleviating poverty. At the end of the year, elders will receive their Christmas gift in the form of a recreational centre, at the cost of Rs 107,500 Million, in Belle Mare. 

The centre which will be inaugurated on December 6 by the Prime Minister, Dr Navin Ramgoolam, and Sheila Bappoo. It will bear the name of ‘Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Recreation Centre for Senior Citizens’ as a sign of gratitude towards the immense contribution of the Father of The Nation in favour of old people. 

“We care for you”
‘We care for you’ - a Carers’ Strategy and plan of action will soon be launched.

Thirty-five health care assistants are being formed to work at Foyer Trochetia and other charitable institutions. The necessity to recruit a pool of carers arises due to demands of families and the needs of the growing ageing population.

There will also be an increase of social support programmes, such as respite services, to bedridden persons or those with severe handicaps. Two Geriatric Professionals, Dr. G. Moutou and Dr. Hemadri have already been hired to form targeted medical staff in Geriatric services.

Copyright © Global Action on Aging
Terms of Use  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us