Muscat – The Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) has launched a community-based home care initiative for older persons, bringing together health, social and community services through coordinated home visits aimed at improving the quality of life of senior citizens.

The programme introduces multidisciplinary field teams that will conduct regular home visits for elderly beneficiaries in Muscat governorate, providing integrated care in partnership with the Ministry of Health, civil society organisations and volunteer groups.

The initiative is designed to strengthen coordination between healthcare and social services while expanding access to home-based support for older people, particularly those requiring ongoing assistance.

During each visit, teams will carry out comprehensive health and social assessments, evaluating beneficiaries’ medical conditions, living environment, family support and social circumstances. The visits will also include monitoring of chronic illnesses, recording key health indicators, providing health education and referring beneficiaries to specialised services where required.

The programme also offers practical support, including assistive devices, medical supplies, home modifications and logistical assistance. All visits will be documented electronically, while urgent cases will be referred to the relevant authorities to ensure timely intervention and continuity of care.

Radhiya bint Said Al Fahdi, Director of the Department of Elderly Affairs at MoSD, said the ministry is coordinating the field teams, assessing social cases and linking beneficiaries with relevant support services, while the Ministry of Health oversees medical assessments, treatment follow-up and health education.

She said the charity Ihsan is providing assistive devices and support for elderly people with special needs, while Omani Women’s Associations, volunteer groups and charitable organisations are contributing to community outreach and field assistance.

The current phase of the initiative targets 50 home visits each month across the wilayats of Muscat, Seeb, Al Amerat and Quriyat, with a total of 600 visits planned during 2026.

The programme begins by identifying eligible beneficiaries and coordinating among participating organisations before conducting home visits, monitoring cases and evaluating outcomes.

Radhiya said the initiative is expected to improve the quality and efficiency of home care services by strengthening coordination between the health and social sectors, reducing duplication of services and making better use of government and community resources.

She added that the programme also encourages greater community participation in supporting older persons, enabling them to continue living safely and independently in their own homes while advancing the quality-of-life objectives of Oman Vision 2040.