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Ageing with a Smile InitiativeConcept Paper

IntroductionAgeing with a Smile Initiative (ASI) is a new and innovative drive in The Gambiaaimed at helping to improve the lives of elderly people in the country. In traditional

Gambian society, elderly people have always been adequately cared for by family

members, neighbours and the wider community. Changes in our life style which is

necessitated by a number of factors including growing economic problems is

forcing individuals and families to be more concerned about their owndevelopment than caring for and supporting others. This situation is putting the

lives of many disadvantaged elderly people in misery as they are neglected, living

without adequate care and suffer in silence.

It has been documented in some part of Africa that with minimum support and

care, the lives of these people can be changed in a positive way thus allowing

them to live more dignified and fulfilling lives. The elderly have contributed

significantly towards the socio-economic development of the country and deserve

to be treated with dignity and respect. This initiative, which is based on helping

the elderly at their homes will be funded mainly by the private sector in The

Gambia as part of their corporate social responsibility and will be piloted among

50 to 100 elderly people in the country. The outcome of the pilot phase will be

shared with a wide range of stakeholders including government, NGOs and

community members at a seminar before it is rolled out to other communities in

the country. As part of the pilot, a study will be conducted in collaboration with the

University of The Gambia, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the

Gambia Bureau of Statistics. The results of the study will be disseminated at the

seminar.

Aims and Objectives1. Improve access to basic health care services to disadvantaged elderly

people in The Gambia

2. Promote the re-integration of the elderly in Gambian social life3. Promote inter generational dialogue4. Advocate for the rights of the elderly in The Gambia.

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Key Intervention Areas1. Provision of routine health check ups for the elderly at home covering

blood pressure, blood sugar, eye care, hearing, dental, health and

nutrition, musculo-skeletal problems, etc.

2. Promotion of personal hygiene and basic sanitation for the elderly(provision of portable water supply, laundry, appropriate clothing, etc).

3. Preventing the spread of common diseases like malaria and tuberculosisamong the elderly and facilitate treatment services for such diseases.

4. Revival of positive traditional roles of the elderly in Gambian social life such as story telling, riddles, jokes and knitting.

5. Provision of opportunities for the elderly to meet and interact (socialize)with their peers and also enjoy daily life.

6. Provision of rehabilitative services for elderly people such as thoserecovering from stroke, and diabetes.

7. Conducting training/sensitisation sessions for the family members ofelderly people on how to support the elderly.

8. Advocate for the provision of essential services for the elderly by thegovernment, NGOs and the private sector.

9. Conducting research on the situation of the elderly in The Gambia.10.Raising adequate funds to support the above intervention areas.

For further information please visit the organisations website:

www.asigambia.orgTel: (+220) 6503045/7030974/ 9944837/6392726

E-mail: asi.gambia@gmail.com