To commemorate the 30th International Day of Older Persons observed on October 1, Ihsaan Association, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Development, will hold a virtual forum on October 11 at 7.30pm.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, Jokha Mohammed Khamis al Farsi, head and founder of Ihsaan Association, said, “The virtual forum titled – Let’s Take Care of Them – aims to spread awareness among community members to take care of the elderly. The forum will have speakers presenting working papers that’ll urge the youth to take care of the elderly and treat them well.”

This year, the association celebrated the day by distributing gifts among 50 elderly people. 

“We received more than 1,350 families during the months of August and September at the headquarters of the association. We acquainted them with the services of the association and raised awareness on valuing our elderly,” Jokha said. 

The association has four ambulances, she informed.

“We provide ambulance services to help the elderly and the disabled reach hospitals for routine check-ups and other healthcare needs. We have provided 120 elderly persons access to hospitals in Muscat in August and September 2020.”

All safety measures like sterilising the ambulances daily are undertaken to avoid the spr-ead of the coronavirus. 

“We also provide foster families for older people who have no children or relatives to care of them,” Jokha said. 

The association holds seminars for community members – including schools and Omani women’s associations – and presents talks on the needs and assistance needed by the elderly. 

“We provide medical aid for the elderly at low prices, including prosthetic limbs for individuals with limited income. We will continue our awareness campaign to include all the wilayats. We hope to get financial support from private companies in our efforts to transport the elderly to hospitals,” Jokha said.