Golden Age Home residents hosted to breakfast at Suva Bowling Club
Poole acknowledged the contributions of the senior citizens towards nation building
It was a breakfast in style away from their usual abode. Residents of the Golden Age Home, Suva, were hosted at the Suva Bowling Club to celebrate the International Day of Older Persons.
Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation permanent secretary Jennifer Poole acknowledged the contributions of the senior citizens towards nation building. She said the National Census of 2017 showed the current population of people over the age of 60 years was nine per cent of the total population.
She said it is expected to reach nearly 20 per cent of the population in 2050.
“This brings to reality the need to prepare ourselves for an ageing population,” she said. “Government has now lowered the eligibility age for the Social Pension Scheme to 65 years of age as opposed to 70 years of age when it was initiated in 2013,” Ms Poole said.
“Government has also doubled the pension from $50 to $100 per month for beneficiaries. Today around 44,781 older persons benefit from this scheme.
“In addition, every older person aged 60 plus qualifies to benefit from the bus fare concession by the Fijian Government and the Fiji Bus Operators Association. Today, it is confirmed that a total of 52,640 older persons including disabled persons are active clients of this $40 bus fare top up.” The senior citizens were treated to a lovely meal and they were clad in their yellow kalavatas adding more warmth to the bright sunny day.