Long-term care program for senior citizens pushed

A lady lawmaker is pushing for the immediate passage of a measure institutionalizing long-term care for senior citizens.

Rep. Estrellita Suansing (1st District, Nueva Ecija), author of House Bill 3710, said the senior citizens as members of society should be recognized for their invaluable contribution to nation building.

“The State should engage in a more vigorous role in protection, preserving and even improving the welfare of senior citizens in the country.  Such is also in line with the Filipinos’ age-old custom of revering our elderly relatives up to the end of their days,” Suansing said.

The measure, to be known as the Long-Term Care for Senior Citizens Act of 2013, shall have an integrated and innovative elderly-focused health and social services under the National Long-Term Care Program for Senior Citizens made available at the local level.

Suansing said the National Long-Term Care Program shall include mainstreaming activities such as lifelong, education programs for aging preparation and non-formal education at the local level for the senior citizens.

“Development programs, which will allow senior citizens to remain actively engaged in as many social, economic and community activities as possible, shall form part of the national long-term care program,” Suansing said.

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

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.

The measure also provides home nursing for the elderly, facilities for respite care, programs on counselling, professional guidance and emotional support and low-cost community-based activities integrated into existing community health programs as well as strengthening of inter-generational relationships.

Suansing pushed for the immediate passage of the bill saying it “will reduce poverty and vulnerability to risks of senior citizens, as well as enhance their social status and rights, promoting and protecting them  against hazards and sudden loss of income, and  improving their capacity to manage risk.”

The National Long-Term Care Program for Senior Citizens shall be implemented jointly by the Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the various local government units.

The National Inter Agency Monitoring Board created under Republic Act No. 9257, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act, shall take the lead in monitoring the implementation of the Act.

The DSWD,  in consultation with other implementing agencies, shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the orderly implementation of this  Act. (@dcherald/PR)