Sharjah 24: The Sharjah Social Services Department (SSSD) celebrated the International Day of Older Persons by launching a new initiative, in cooperation with the University of Sharjah, where the nursing home affiliated with the Department received guests from government and private institutions, in addition to school students who presented gifts, which brought happiness to the hearts of the elderly.
Sharifa Al Ali, head of the Support Services Department and acting director of the nursing home, said that the nursing home celebrates the International Day of Older Persons in honour of the parents and the home’s employees, as coordination was made with external parties such as schools, universities, and governmental and private institutions that contributed to the success of the event, and brought gifts for the elderly members of the home.
A group of productive families also participated in presenting handicrafts and popular foods, and folk groups participated by presenting traditional songs and paintings that the elderly can enjoy.
The Sharjah Museums Authority, represented by the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation, also participated in the celebration, presenting an artistic workshop on Islamic decorations; the Sharjah Maritime Museum presented a workshop on the manufacture of sea nets; the Sharjah Art Museum presented a workshop on pottery making; and the Sharjah Heritage Museum participated in a workshop on perfume making.
The celebration also included the participation of a delegation from the Thukher Club of the Community Development Authority in Dubai, consisting of 15 elderly people, and a delegation from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment participated and distributed agricultural seedlings to the home’s members.
Kholoud Al Ali, Director of the Senior Services Centre, explained the new initiative that she launched on International Day of Older Persons, in cooperation with the University of Sharjah, preparing a complete study on the aging-associated diseases, conducting medical examinations for the elderly by students of the College of Science.
The university also participated in providing medical examinations through its mobile clinic, which provided free examinations for elderly members of the home and others.
Al Ali stressed that the SSSD aspires to provide the best international practices for the elderly, using the initiatives of Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC), in which Sharjah is a member.
On the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, all SSSD branches are organising a programme for their elderly members including trips to a number of natural and tourist attractions in the UAE.
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