NCSC readies new policies as PH elderly population increases
Text and photos by: Rimaliza A. Opina
The newly created National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) is in the process of updating and enhancing current policies and services for senior citizens, as population trends show the Philippines has an increasing aging population.
Separate studies by the Commission on Population, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) show a consistent shift in household demographics in the country with indicators showing that a higher life expectancy and lower birth rate among the younger generation have contributed to the increase.
But as the Philippines shifts towards an aging population by 2030, NCSC chair Mary Jean Loreche said the State should also be able to address the needs of people who are 60 years old and above.
These include an increased demand for healthcare particularly for age-related illnesses, long-term care, and social welfare services.
“By 2050, it is projected that there will be about 112 million senior citizens. The Philippines should be prepared to take care of its aging population,” Loreche said. This means that for every five-member family, there is at least one senior citizen.
Addressing the demands of an aging population
She said the current infrastructure and services accorded to senior citizens are still inadequate. The most recent law passed to benefit senior citizens are the octogenarian and nonagenarian cash incentive, social pension for indigent senior citizens, and an increment to the pension of those worked in the private sector.
But more needs to be done to achieve the State’s goal of helping the sector attain a productive life even in their advancing years.
Loreche said establishing senior citizens’ centers that will serve as a one-stop shop for senior citizens is in the pipeline.
These centers should have a wellness or garden area, a geriatric clinic that is open daily even on Sundays and holidays, an entertainment or game area, training area for livelihood projects for seniors, sleeping quarters where seniors may take a nap, and dining area. These centers should also be built in a way where mobility of seniors is not impeded. It should also be manned by care assistants, nurses, doctors and other personnel knowledgeable in geriatric care.
There are only 13 SC centers nationwide. These are in Cebu City, Cabanatuan City, Malaybalay, Bukidnon, Zamboanga Sibugay, Kidapawan City, Los Banos City, Laguna, Camarines Norte, two in Bohol, Taguig City, and Ormoc City.
The three-story Office of Senior Citizen Affairs Office (OSCA) at Salud Mitra is a potential SC center, but this needs to be retrofitted to suit the requirements needed by seniors.
Loreche said an SC center should be wide enough for the wheelchair-bound individuals. There should be ramps and handlebars for people with canes or crutches, those with decreased mobility, and the visually impaired to easily navigate without bumping into walls, posts, or other fixtures. Minimal installation of divisions in rooms should be included.
Government owned and operated ‘home for the aged’
A young working population has given rise to clamor for the establishment of more facilities where senior citizens are attended to by paid personnel, instead of a relative, such as what care homes like facilities in advanced countries.
There are also several local governments proposing to build a “home for the aged” or more appropriately called a “long-term care facility”. But Loreche said this approach should be exercised with caution.
Loreche said Filipino culture does not favor leaving the elderly in the care of strangers and outside of the family abode.
She also stressed, “Maganda naman ang concept. But how can it be sustained? Paano ang kanilang (seniors) pang araw-araw na pangangailangan?” as shoe noted the daily needs. She is not entirely averse to building more long-term care facilities, but its use should be limited only to the neglected or abandoned. She reiterated that these facilities must not become an alternative for families who do not want to take care of their elderly.
“Yes, we should have these only in extreme cases…such as seniors who are abandoned,” Loreche said.
To buttress her stand, Loreche said long-term care facilities in Singapore have shown that these were not economically viable. In response, the government adopted a policy where instead of bringing elderly relatives to these facilities, incentives were given to the child or relative who is taking care of them.
No to punitive approach
In July, Sen. Panfilo Lacson filed Senate Bill 396 that seeks to safeguard parents from neglect and abuse when they are no longer capable of providing for themselves and their family.
Loreche believes the senator’s proposal has good intentions. But a punitive approach might not be able to fully address why children abuse or neglect their parents when they are already incapacitated.
“Ang pag-aalaga should not be punitive. Sa hirap ng buhay may mga hindi kayang alagaan ang nakatatanda,” Loreche said.
Instead, she said the senator can consider amending his proposal where children who care and support their parents are given support by the government; and to go back to the basics – which is to strengthen the role of the community in caring for elders of society.
She said this is also where long-term planning comes to play. She said the NCSC plans on including in its programs educating adults to prepare for senior years, so that even as they advance in age, they will be able to achieve independence and good quality of life.
Take care of yourself
There are many ways to remain healthy physically, socially, and psychologically says Dr. Mario Dela Cruz of the Geriatric Care Unit of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC).
To slow down cognitive impairment, Dela Cruz advised senior citizens to exercise their brain by playing mind games, reorient their spatial orientation such as by considering having big windows where they could explore and compare their environments indoors and outdoors, explore reminiscence therapy such as by meeting relatives and friends they have not seen for a long time, or browse through old photographs to help them remember the past.
He also advised senior citizens to socialize.
For muscles and mobility, Dela Cruz suggested using tools as a modification of the usual exercises of seniors. He suggested using resistance bands for stretching and dumbbells.
He says that exercising prevents cholesterol buildup, hypertension, the risk of falling, and sarcopenia or muscle loss.
For nutrition, Dela Cruz reiterated seniors should have an adequate diet and adequate water intake. He said meals for the elderly should be, 50 percent vegetables, 25 percent carbohydrates, and 25 percent protein. Water intake should be at least eight glasses daily.
For medications, Dela Cruz said seniors should religiously take their maintenance medication and get vaccinated against flu, pneumonia, shingles, and Covid-19. For supplements, take vitamin C and calcium, he added.
Projects for CAR
Meanwhile, NCSC-CAR Regional Director Luz Balisong said projects for senior citizens in the region include computer literacy training, livelihood training, and strengthening of monitoring and compliance to the 20 percent discount to senior citizens.
The Federation of Baguio Senior Citizens Association (FBASECA) is looking forward to the fulfillment of the plans for their sector.
“Para hindi kami maging passive beneficiaries lang. Senior citizens become self-reliant”, FBASECA president Edita Ibarra said.
