SSSD launches 4th edition of Age- friendly Institutions initiative

The initiative stems from the interest of the Emirate of Sharjah, which has given attention and care to the elderly, to achieve leadership in the field of serving this category.

Asma Al Khudari, Head of the Age-Friendly Sharjah Office of the Sharjah Social Services Department (SSSD), said that the number of Age-Friendly Institutions since the launch of the initiative in 2020 has reached 28 in Sharjah and the Eastern and Central Regions, and the accredited institutions are re-evaluated after 3 years.

The initiative is part of the office's 2021-2023 strategic plan, and its vision is summarised in achieving leadership in services provided to the elderly in all governmental and non-governmental institutions. Its mission is to motivate all institutions to adapt and develop their facilities and services to be appropriate to the needs of the elderly.

The initiative relies on 3 strategies, which are sustainability, equality, and advocacy.

Al Khudari explained that the Age –Friendly Institutions are the entities that have met 80% of the approved standards, which centre around the engineering environment, services, facilities and social empowerment of the entity, so that they are considerate of elderly customers.

As for the general provisions for participation, they are the fulfillment of 80% of the criteria that apply to the participating entity and the fulfillment of the basic evaluation standards. In the event that they are not available, the participation is canceled, and the evaluation committee conducts evaluation visits to the institution on the ground. The entity has the right to participate again in the initiative in the event of a change of building or desire by participating in a new branch. The entity is also entitled to benefit from honoring photos and the initiative's logo for marketing.