developed countries which saw a shift to the concept of
individualism or the choice of older persons to live independently
without depending on their children. Therefore, she suggested that
the National Policy should be re-aligned with such a shift to match the
needs of older persons.
16. The Action Plan of Older Persons requires a multisectoral and multi-disciplinary approach rooted in the sharing of
responsibilities
between
government,
private
sectors,
non–government organisations, community and the older persons
themselves in order to meet their needs.
17. With regard to empowering the right to health, the following three
points were raised:a. Intensifying campaigns and services on health promotion and
prevention of diseases to older persons and their caregivers.
b. Ensuring prompt and effective treatment and rehabilitation to
return to pre-incident state.
c. Ensuring availability of adequate support services to those
affected, temporarily or permanently.
18. Health promotion and prevention of disease is the most
important and most effective empowerment tool because it is relatively
cheaper to implement. Emphasising on knowledge about the
development and maintenance of good health, health promotion is
aimed at influencing health related living conditions and behavioural
patterns in all population groups, and not only confined to the older
persons. Consequently the main focus is on improving personal and
social health competence and on policies directed at improving the
determining health factors.55 With such approach of referencing
the individual and the society in general, the following should be
considered:
a. Health is a basic right of people including the older persons;
55
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