Solon bats for long-term care program for elderly Filipinos

MANILA – A lawmaker on Thursday proposed a long-term care program to keep the elderly productive and resilient against illnesses and other risks associated with old age.

In a statement, Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. urged his colleagues in Congress to pass a measure requiring local government units (LGUs) to work with the departments of the interior and local government, social welfare, health, and finance on establishing and running a long-term quality care program for elderly Filipinos to keep them within the "mainstream of Philippine society" in their senior years.

"A national plan for promoting quality and long-term care and services for our elderly to keep them active and highly productive in society in their twilight years is essential to President Marcos' vision for a prosperous nation where no Filipino is left behind," Villafuerte said.

Such a program, he said, should be anchored on making essential goods, health care, and other social services readily available to all elderly Filipinos at affordable costs.

"Particular emphasis shall be made on disease prevention, health promotion, and wellness of mind, body, and spirit," he said.

"Health services shall comprise preventive, curative, and rehabilitative health care services in all government and private hospitals, local health facilities, and other community-based facilities."

House Bill 7980 proposes that the National Inter-Agency Monitoring Board, established under Republic Act 9257 or "The Expanded Senior Citizens Act" of 2004, shall oversee the implementation of this proposed national care plan for Filipino elders.

The bill provides home care and hospice for frail and dependent seniors, medical and psychological support for old patients requiring continued medical assistance after discharge, and social protection programs that seek to reduce poverty and vulnerability among the aged.

At the community level, programs and activities shall be established that are aimed to protect senior citizens from abuse, exploitation, and discrimination; and provide support services to deal with or prevent physical, emotional and financial abuse, sexual exploitation, and neglect and abandonment.

"Towards this end, training and awareness of the problems confronting senior citizens and equipping the public with the necessary know-how to prevent and detect problem areas concerning senior citizens shall be a major component of the proposed long-term program for elderly Filipinos," Villafuerte said.

The bill shall also modify and expand existing social insurance programs to ensure that senior citizens are adequately protected from loss of income and unemployment as a result of old age. (PNA)