Geriatric care

Elderly people often require specialised health services. These are usually accompanied by other specialised services, such as housing or transport services.

• General health services for the elderly
• Abuse of the elderly
• Assistive devices

Although the running of Old Age Homes (OAH) for the aged/elderly is a function of the provincial Department of Social Development, the Department of Health is indirectly involved in the health needs of the aged. Elderly patients, including those with chronic illnesses, can access health care at all levels for medication, rehabilitation and other health needs. Patients are able to go on their own from OAHs or their houses to and from clinics or hospitals when necessary. Transport can be arranged by some OAHs.

In addition, the Department checks on the nutrition aspect of meals served at OAHs for the elderly. Home-based care is also available to the aged and can be accessed via the community health centres in the Metro.

This service became available in the rural areas after March 2004.

Abuse of the elderly 

Abuse of elderly people is a serious problem and is dealt with jointly by the provincial Departments of Social Development and Health, and sometimes the Department of Community Safety. The new Aged Persons' Bill deals with abuse of the aged, and who should report the incidents.

The causes of abuse are varied. However, it's more likely to occur if the older person is physically dependent, lacks sufficient income to be self-sufficient, can't remember, or becomes indecisive and confused. Other possible factors include poverty, unemployment, inappropriate housing, marital difficulties, alcohol and drug abuse and poor communication with or by the older person.

Of the 5 areas of abuse (physical, emotional, financial, neglect and sexual), physical is the most harmful, causing physical, emotional and psychological pain and distress.

Health staff at all levels of care can inform family and friends about what to look out for if they suspect that there's abuse of the elderly, whether it happens in the older person's home, an OAH/old age institution or other places of board and lodging. Health staff will keep a register of all reported cases of abuse.

Families and the public can report abuse to their nearest welfare office. There's also a national helpline on 0800 0030 81 to report abuse.

In an emergency, an older person is placed in a safe place at an old age home for a short time until accommodation can be arranged or the problem is sorted out.

Health services offer assistive devices, such as wheelchairs to the elderly, to make them less dependent. It's always encouraged for elderly citizens to stay in their own homes with support for as long as they can. Older persons should know their rights so that they are empowered to report circumstances that's not desirable.