President Sheikh Mohamed attends the launch of the Barakatna project to support senior citizens. Photo: Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court
President Sheikh Mohamed attends the launch of the Barakatna project to support senior citizens. Photo: Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court
President Sheikh Mohamed attends the launch of the Barakatna project to support senior citizens. Photo: Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court
President Sheikh Mohamed attends the launch of the Barakatna project to support senior citizens. Photo: Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed launches project to improve quality of life for senior citizens


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President Sheikh Mohamed has announced an initiative to enhance the well-being of senior citizens by improving the standard of home care.

The Barakatna project was announced on Tuesday at Qasr Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi where Sheikh Mohamed received a delegation from the Department of Community Development, state news agency Wam reported.

The drive seeks to improve the efficiency of home care provided to senior citizens in a suitable family setting and aims to ensure a stable, healthy and fulfilling life for elder citizens within their families, Wam said.

Sheikh Mohamed spoke of the vital role senior citizens play in society, describing them as a vital pillar of society whose wisdom, experience and resilience help to guide younger generations. Senior citizens remain an integral part of the nation’s social fabric, he added.

One of the key services provided is providing temporary alternative care services when family members are unable to provide the level required. The scheme will also allow for home improvements to be carried out, in facilities used by senior citizens, to support primary caregivers.

Caregivers will also be able to extend their housing loan repayments by five years to ease any financial burden while flexible work systems will be introduced for parents and caregivers, according to specific conditions.

Ensuring the well-being of senior citizens was a deeply rooted value that instils in current and future generations a profound respect for the sacrifices of those who laid the foundations of the nation’s progress and development, said Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, who endorsed the scheme.

Explainer: Tanween Design Programme

Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.

The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.

The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.

Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”

Updated: April 22, 2025, 6:08 PM