Government will soon launch its National Minimum Standards for Institutional Homes on the Care of Older Persons.
This has been revealed by the Minister for Women Mereseini Vuniwaqa while speaking at the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day this morning at Albert Park.
She adds that these standards will harmonize government’s reforms towards the development and implementation of comprehensive care plans, development of policies and programme to improve the physical and social environment of the institution, and specialized training for the staff.
Vuniwaqa says that throughout the world, abuse and neglect of older adults largely remains under-recognized, or treated as an unspoken problem.
She says that elder abuse may occur in many different settings, including private homes, residential care settings and hospitals.
Vuniwaqa adds that no community or country in the world in immune to from this social problem.
She says that one of the benefits of a specific occasion like World Awareness Day is the opportunity for all stakeholders in society to come together and help address the needs fo the elderly.
Vuniwaqa has also challenged those present and every other Fijian to do their part in raising awareness on the plight of the elderly and improve their care to enable a peaceful and dignified life for all their elders.
Senior Citizens and the staff of Samabula Senior Citizens Home, Father Law Home, Pearce home, Hart Nursing Home, Home of compassion and member of the community today came out in numbers to be part of the first march to raise awareness on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day from the Suva Flea Market to Albert Park with the theme “Let’s Break The Silence and Protect Our Elders.”
