Bahraini society appreciates the elderly and believes that they are a fundamental pillar of society. They are the ones who contributed with their efforts and giving to building the nation and establishing its modern renaissance, and they were the ones who laid the first building blocks, as it is said.
How could they not, when they have spent their lives working and giving in order for us to live today in a developed country that enjoys security, stability and prosperity?
It is our religious, moral and humanitarian duty today to return the favor to them and give them the care and appreciation they deserve that befits their status and role in shaping Bahrain’s present and future.
The rights of the elderly must be at the heart of the priorities of official and private bodies, by providing integrated and logistical health care for them, ensuring easy access to government services, and providing a social environment that preserves their dignity and takes into account their needs. Laws and policies should be enacted that guarantee them a decent life after long years of fatigue, effort, and giving. We need to see psychological and social support programs that protect them from isolation and loneliness.
As for civil society institutions, such as charities and social centers, they have a major role to play in enhancing the status of the elderly through the implementation of community initiatives, volunteer activities, and recreational and cultural programs that give them a feeling of inclusion and participation. We must also not overlook the role of the media, which must highlight their experiences and successes in all its various ways so that they can be role models for generations.
It is also important for civil society organizations to cooperate with the public and private sectors to provide a nurturing environment that respects the elderly and makes them feel important in society, by providing them with permanent homes.
We can all benefit from the many experiences of developed countries in this field, which prepare programs specifically for the elderly, through which the elderly and retirees receive discount cards for transportation, markets, and public facilities, in addition to free subscriptions to cultural and sports clubs, while organizing continuous events and activities throughout the year. Such experiences can be applied in Bahrain in a way that enhances the quality of life of the elderly, and establishes the concept of loyalty and respect for them.
The message of loyalty to the elderly will remain a national and moral duty, as they are the father and mother who sacrificed for us, and they are the ones who built this country with their sacrifices, and laid the foundations for our bright future with their hands. Among them are the doctor, the teacher, the engineer, the security man, the worker, and others. All respect and appreciation is given to them for what they have provided, and we pledge that the Kingdom of Bahrain will remain a country that embraces its children at all stages of life, and foremost among them are the elderly who are the beacons of wisdom, history, and humanity in this dear country.
