The Primary Goal of the Elderly Forum is to Integrate and Coordinate services in the community with a focus on older people.
1. to maintain and promote the status, wellbeing, safety and security of older persons,
2. to maintain and protect the rights of older persons,
3. to help older persons to stay in their homes in the community for as long as possible,
4. to regulate services and residential facilities for older persons, and
5. to combat abuse of older persons.
Who Does this Act Affect?
All older persons living in South Africa, and
All officials, employees and representatives of the State.
www.gov.za/documents/older-persons-act
Act No. 13.2W OLDER PERSONS ACT, 2006
VISION of Forum for Older Persons:
1. Creating an environment for older people (Sixty plus) to realise their potential and needs to add sustainable value to their lives.
2. Have a society for all ages, in which the contribution of older persons is acknowledged, where older persons could experience security and personal fulfilment, where the rights and dignity of older persons are respected, and where older persons have a role to play in development.
MISSION of Forum for Older Persons
1. To identify and articulate the concerns and needs of older persons, as voiced by them, and, in consultation with government and other role players, to ensure that those needs are addressed in legislation, services and programmes.
2. To sustain different portfolios within the forum whereby the older people (60 plus) can add sustainable value by which their lives can be enriched through participation in different initiatives and also to be an integral part of other initiatives created by Forums in their communities.
Portfolios:-
1. Food Security - Objective: a. To alleviate poverty through food security: b. To ensure nutritionally balanced meals.
2. Sport and Recreation: Objective: To encourage physical wellness through age related exercise, recreation.
3. Safety and Security: Objective: To keep the living environment safe - at home, in public
4. Health: Objective:
a. To ensure that each person remains in his or her home within the community for as long as possible emphasising community-based care,
b. combating the abuse of older persons.
c. Ensure access to Social Workers and Home Based Carers.
d. Health care and advice to stay healthy.
5. Legal Rights: Objectives:
a. maintain and promote the status, well-being, safety and security of older persons;
b. maintain and protect the rights of older persons;
c. keep the Older person Informed as to their rights and responsibilities, to find out what the Law says… to be Responsible citizens.
d. Awareness: Gender Base Violence, Abuse, Disabled, Wheel Chair Access
6. Research: Objective:
a. continued research to secure the wellbeing and integration of the Older Person in the community.
b. keep the older person informed with regard to abuse, dementia, Alzheimer, etc.
Needs:
Social: Integrating on similar environment, i.e. Widows, Widowers, Walking, Reading, knitting, hobbies, games Groups
Spiritual and Cultural: Spiritual activities, i.e bible study, prayer, singing, etc. Traditional games, telling of their stories, dance, singing.
Education: Latest technology, smartphones, .. Staying informed on how to protect their intellectual property, digital environment etc.
Services: Access to counselling, how to manage bereavement, support groups.. Access to Family Members.
