Picture: Instant Health India
Faizel Patel – 01/10/2020
As the world marks the 30th International Day for Older Persons today, the mental wellbeing of the elderly remains the focus.
The theme of the International Day of Older Persons 2020 is “Pandemics: Do They Change How We Address Age and Ageing?”
The day aims to raise awareness of the impact of an aging population and the need to ensure people can grow old with dignity and to elevate consciousness about points which are affecting the aged, like senescence and elder abuse.
According to the ‘World Population Prospects, the 2019 Revision’, by 2050, one in six people in the world will be over 65 (16%).
The ratio was one in 11 in 2019 (9%)
Radio Islam’s morning driver presenter Ml Sulaimaan Ravat says as Muslims, we should be aware of the status of the elderly.
“Allah says in the Qur’an that barak’ah is with your seniors and this will include those who are senior in age.”
However, Ml Ravat says there are emotional issues between the elderly and young that needs to be ironed out.
“In the Muslim community by comparison in terms of the broad aspects, physical care, financial care, we do take care of our elderly Alhamdulillah. I think the shortfall is in emotional care, emotional support. They may be living in your home. You give them the best of medical care, the best of food, but do you take out the time to sit with them, to talk with them to make them feel important to say they still have a part to play in the family; that is is something that is important and I think that’s maybe where we fall short.”
As part of the international Day for Older Persons, Radio Islam encourages listeners and people across the globe to value the elderly and take care of them.
Listen to the discussion by Ml Sulaimaan Ravat
0 Comments