International Day for the Elderly: Tlhogo tse dipududu
OUR JOINT STATEMENT WAS EFFECTIVELY:
1. That ours on this occasion was a statement of gratitude for the United Nations and for Government of Republic of Botswana, along side other nations, to have recognised need for a day to be set aside per annum, to be eternally remembered and upon every occasion on which the deed and story of the elderly shall call for its commemoration; and to them all in this country we say simply, with one loud voice, THANK YOU.
2. You have already made an offering of your lives and strengths to country over the years and while you have passed your prime, we join you today to congratulate you and for you to congratulate yourselves with the thought that the best part of your life was fortunate, and that the brief span that remains will be cheered by the fame of the departed.
3. We say we will eternally remember the benefits of living side by side with them across the world about whom God said: “bontle jwa bone ke tlhogo tse dipududu”.
4. To fellow citizen of country and of globe we urge, as did Dr. K. Chabaesele, strive on this day at least to not get impatient with the elderly as there are ailments common to them as a result of aging.
5. We say remember and accept ailments that befall the elderly, brain disorders like dementia, loss of cognitive function, change of personality, unable to reason properly, and poor memory.
That amongst the aged it is difficult to treat causes of memory loss, like depression, chronic alcoholism, drugs and nutritional deficiencies.
On this day we urge the non- elderly community to remember that the elderly were at higher risks of injuries from fractures.
Therefore modify home and public and office environment to prevent preventable injuries.
Consider rubber devices on bathroom floors.
Ensure gripping rubber is on bottom end of walking sticks. Mobility of the aged was highly important.
Remember on this day that depression affects the elderly in large numbers. Critical to have them screened as older adults as depression was treatable.
They are prone to being forgetful, decreased vision, poor hearing, poor absorption of nutrients, increased prostate size in men which causes blockage of urine and increased friable bones fracturing easily.
Other ailments were heart problems, lung diseases on those with history of smoking and work in dusty environment, hypertension and arthritis.
Sugar diabetes, dizziness, high blood pressure, weak knees and incontinence of urine. All these are conditions of the aged. These conditions demand our keen sense of heightened awareness, piety, mercy and kindness.