Caring for the Elderly with Visual Disabilities
Added On : 2nd February 2012
JEDDAH The Ebsar Foundation for Rehabilitation and Service of Visual Disability has reiterated the importance of a new care program for elderly people with visual disabilities. Ebsar Foundation Secretary General Mohammed Tawfiq Bellow highlighted the necessity of the program as one of the main causes of visual disability is old age.
The association looks to increase the size and efficiency of programs for older people with visual disabilities in our society, as well as to take care of their and their families needs and problems regarding medical, psychological and social issues, he said.
However, Bellow insisted that more needs to be done for the elderly. He called for more care programs and for the private sector to participate by implementing programs with the support of the Foundation.
Most private sector programs for the disabled focus on human development and employment, and pay little attention to visually impaired elderly people who require specialized programs to help them live normal lives.
He pointed out that care of the elderly is one of the most important religious, national and social responsibilities which is underscored by many organizations.
These include the World Health Organization which revealed that 80 percent of the visually impaired are elderly.
The awful truth is that 90 percent of this number belongs to developing countries that do not have quality health care services for older people with visual disabilities, Bellow said.
The Ebsar Foundation is currently carrying out a study with the help of 1,000 visually-handicapped people. It has found that the health and social conditions of many elderly people require improvement and specialized home services. However, the organization is doing a lot to help all of these people.
Hamdan Ali Raddah Al-Malki, a 109-year-old man, was affected by a visual disability four years ago due to retinopathy and has now lost the ability to speak.
However, his son said Hamdan receives a cash subsidy from the Ministry of Social Affairs. He also thanked the Ebsar Foundation for inquiring about his fathers status and asked the foundation to pray for his good health.
Zeiad M. Alsufiani - Saudi Gazette
