Senior citizens need improved support in UAE

Public and private sector companies should not forget seniors in their welfare schemes, a club member said.

The members of the senior citizen club Golden Age enjoy lots of chat and fun at their meeting place in The Greens. Photos Antonie Robertson / The National

DUBAI // Public and private sector companies should not forget senior citizens in their social welfare schemes, said the founder of a club that is calling for free public transport for the elderly.

“It is unfortunate that expatriate senior citizens are not supported the way they should be,” said Naseem Durrani, 73, who started the Golden Age club for senior citizens in 2013 in the Greens community. “We should also be taken care of by society.”

In two years the club has organised for its members free medical services – including eye and dental healthcare camps – and set up recreational and social activities.

Mr Durrani said that for an elderly expatriate, medical care without heavy cost is the highest priority of his club.

“We don’t get medical insurance because of age, which eventually becomes a major barrier to sponsor parents here.”

That is why free medical support has always been an important element in club activities, he said.

With more than 60 members from many backgrounds, the club has three golden rules: it must be non religious, non political and non commercial.

“Everyone who is above the age of 60 for men and 50 for women is welcomed to join us for free,” said Pakistani national Mr Durrani. “We meet every day and have hours of lively discussions and share lifetime experiences with each other. It is such fun.”

Mr Durrani and his wife moved to the UAE from Karachi in December 2012 when his son and his family relocated there. Very soon, the former journalist realised that it must be difficult to live a life without purpose and decided to start the club.

He was pleasantly surprised when Emaar, the community development company, allowed him to do so.

“We had such great support from Emaar, especially from chairman Mohammed Alabbar, for caring about the senior population living in his community.”

The community management is happy to be associated with Golden Age and has given not just encouragement but also logistical assistance.

“We provide space equipped for basic health check-ups, a counter at the supermarket where the members get priority access, special discounts at the pharmacy, discounts at clinics and free bus service from the nearby Metro station,” said Emaar’s community management spokesman.

“We will continue to support such initiatives that foster the true spirit of community living.”

Not just that, upon the request of the club, Emaar has dedicated several park benches for Golden Age members.

Now the club is planning to approach the Roads and Transport Authority to ask about getting free travel for senior citizens.

“We will be requesting that the RTA allows senior citizens to travel free across the city on the Metro and other public transport between 10am and 4pm,” said Mr Durrani. “It will be a great relief to us to gain this. Senior citizens in every civilised society enjoy special privileges in public transport. We are hopeful that the RTA will accept our request.”

Another club member said that expatriate senior citizens in Dubai needed more clubs like Golden Age.

“Almost every second elderly expatriate here is suffering from depression and loneliness,” said Y N Mathur, a 69-year-old Indian who retired from a senior management position in a multinational company in India.

“Establishing clubs like Golden Age will be a great relief for them. Such clubs should not just be for recreation and socialisation but also for providing medical support to this vulnerable group.”

Mr Mathur and his wife have been members of Golden Age for a year and greatly enjoy it.

“There is so much to share and learn from each other,” he said. “I have made so many friends. Now I don’t miss my home country. I have so much to do here.”