Sharjah 24: For the first time at the UAE level, Sharjah Social Services Department (SSSD) launched a vocational programme for the elderly, in cooperation with the Centre for Continuing Education and Professional Development at the University of Sharjah, which is also the first university programme at the university.
24 elderly men and women from the Elderly Care Home at the Department of Social Services, which initiated the programme, were selected, between 60 and 75 years old, to join the programme.
Maryam Al Qatari, Director of the Elderly Care Home, explained that the Elderly Care Home is on the verge of completing the first phase, which is part of the Department’s strategy to launch an education programme for the elderly affiliates. She added that the programme is the first of its kind at the UAE level, and will be approved and implemented by the senior management of the Department of Social Services hoping it will benefit all the elderly in the future.
Maryam Al Qatari said that the goal of the programme is to serve the elderly in the first place, and to raise the level of psychological stability and family empowerment among the elderly participants by providing them with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve stability and empowerment, which contributes to raising the efficiency of their families or institutions to which they belong, which is paramount in building a safe and stable society. Maryam Al Qatari added that the programme aims at raising the elderly culture of social and family life, building intellectual capacities for continuous development for a better life, and being effective people in the future.
Dr. Radi Al Zubaidi, Director of the Centre for Continuing Education and Professional Development, said that the "My Health is My Life" programme was a successful experience for the Centre, as it is unique and has a special identity.
Dr. Radi Al Zubaidi explained that the programme includes three themes, public health, including the nutritional health of the elderly, maintaining a healthy weight, nutrition and bone health. It also includes the nutritional needs of the elderly and the correct nutritional behaviours that promote health, nutritional supplements, and health and nutritional challenges.
The second theme is related to mental health and changes with age, manifestations of mental disorders and how to get rid of them, health risks resulting from psychological stress and the individual's ability to cope with crises.
The third theme is related to the elderly physical health, appropriate activities, strengthening muscle mass and bone integrity.
Al Zubaidi indicated that the programme was implemented virtually for the elderly residing in remote areas such as Khorfakkan, Dibba Al Hisn, Kalba and Al Zayd, while the rest of the participants attended for 16 hours divided into two days a week at a rate of two hours.
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