Making ageing population lead active, healthy life
Hj Jumat (R), village head of Area 4, RPN Lambak Kanan and Hj Azamain, Acting Penghulu of Area 5 being interviewed by The Brunei Times during the foundation laying ceremony yesterday. Picture: BT/Saifulizam
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
BRUNEI is on its way to embrace active ageing for its senior citizens following the construction of the new Senior Citizens Centre expected to be completed in April next year.
A number of programmes will be provided for the centre which is a joint collaboration between public and private sector, non-government organisations and volunteers.
Hj Jumat Nasir, Village Head of Area 4 of Lambak Kanan National Housing Scheme, told The Brunei Times that the project will be good because it gives the elderly better things to do.
"Sometimes, the elderly will walk around aimlessly, but the programmes offered will attract them, as the centre is within walking distance and will get them into doing something more useful in their free time," he said.
Acting Penghulu of Area 5 of Lambak Kanan National Housing Scheme, Hj Azamain Hj Kahar expressed his excitement over the centre.
"I want to see more, even the elderly from the other districts so as to increase connectivity with their other fellow counterparts," he said.
The centre is the first of its kind in the country and will encourage senior citizens to stay healthy in body and mind said Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Datin Paduka Hjh Adina Othman.
"Life as a senior citizen can be lonely when the children are out working. With active ageing philosophy, the elderly are well taken cared of by having them participate in activities contributing to their overall health," she said adding that better health also comes with reduced spending for medical treatments.
She also commented on the nation's approach towards the elderly as 'caring' recalling positive remarks made by visitors.
However, sustainability may prove to be a concern in the long-term operations of the centre, she noted.
The deputy minister elaborated by saying that zero budget has been allocated towards the centre, however, the generosity of many private donors have enabled construction to take off while the daily operations will be managed by NGOs.
" The local councils will also be involved as the senior citizens are from their respective area. Hopefully, the various mukims and villages will take the reins from the NGOs to continue operations in the near future," she said.
The need for the younger generation to get involved in the centre's activities is also deemed as an important factor with regards to caring for the elderly.
"We want our young people to help as volunteers especially when there is an outing for the elderly," she said.
Brunei Social Welfare Council President Hjh Mordiah Hj Jackia highlighted public support as being vital towards the progress of the centre.
"At the moment, we will be looking to run activities such as handicrafts and cooking classes but for the elderly to participate they will need their families' assistance," she told The Brunei Times suggesting future collaborations with Ministry of Religious Affairs and Ministry of Health on areas of spiritual and health matters.
The Senior Citizens Centre resembles a day care centre and not for residential purposes.
Successful implementation of this programme will see more centres established in other areas and districts. - Leo Kasim
The Brunei Times
A number of programmes will be provided for the centre which is a joint collaboration between public and private sector, non-government organisations and volunteers.
Hj Jumat Nasir, Village Head of Area 4 of Lambak Kanan National Housing Scheme, told The Brunei Times that the project will be good because it gives the elderly better things to do.
"Sometimes, the elderly will walk around aimlessly, but the programmes offered will attract them, as the centre is within walking distance and will get them into doing something more useful in their free time," he said.
Acting Penghulu of Area 5 of Lambak Kanan National Housing Scheme, Hj Azamain Hj Kahar expressed his excitement over the centre.
"I want to see more, even the elderly from the other districts so as to increase connectivity with their other fellow counterparts," he said.
The centre is the first of its kind in the country and will encourage senior citizens to stay healthy in body and mind said Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Datin Paduka Hjh Adina Othman.
"Life as a senior citizen can be lonely when the children are out working. With active ageing philosophy, the elderly are well taken cared of by having them participate in activities contributing to their overall health," she said adding that better health also comes with reduced spending for medical treatments.
She also commented on the nation's approach towards the elderly as 'caring' recalling positive remarks made by visitors.
However, sustainability may prove to be a concern in the long-term operations of the centre, she noted.
The deputy minister elaborated by saying that zero budget has been allocated towards the centre, however, the generosity of many private donors have enabled construction to take off while the daily operations will be managed by NGOs.
" The local councils will also be involved as the senior citizens are from their respective area. Hopefully, the various mukims and villages will take the reins from the NGOs to continue operations in the near future," she said.
The need for the younger generation to get involved in the centre's activities is also deemed as an important factor with regards to caring for the elderly.
"We want our young people to help as volunteers especially when there is an outing for the elderly," she said.
Brunei Social Welfare Council President Hjh Mordiah Hj Jackia highlighted public support as being vital towards the progress of the centre.
"At the moment, we will be looking to run activities such as handicrafts and cooking classes but for the elderly to participate they will need their families' assistance," she told The Brunei Times suggesting future collaborations with Ministry of Religious Affairs and Ministry of Health on areas of spiritual and health matters.
The Senior Citizens Centre resembles a day care centre and not for residential purposes.
Successful implementation of this programme will see more centres established in other areas and districts. - Leo Kasim
The Brunei Times
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