The attack on an elderly Emirati gentleman in Fujairah by his helper brings the focus on the importance of re-edifying the principles of care of the elderly, that is at the core of Emirati tradition and family values. Respect, love and care of the elderly form an intrinsic part of Emirati life and the incident in Fujairah has highlighted the need to step up the urgency in closing the gaps in this area.
In this regard, the decision by the Ministry of Social Affairs to draft a law that will protect the rights of the elderly, aiming to ensure they enjoy equality, is a step in the right direction. The law will formalise an elderly person’s right to independence, protect him or her from harm, mistreatment or negligence, enforce his or her right to social security and health care and most important of all — allow the elderly to remain in their homes with their own families.
The last point underpins a long-term solution in preventing such incidents by working to obtain the commitment of families to look after the senior members in their family. Abnegating this responsibility by hiring helpers to do what is essentially their duty is anathema to the Emirati culture and the new law, when it comes into effect, will weed out factors that can potentially invite neglect and abuse of the elderly.
A society is only as healthy, compassionate and progressive as in the way it looks after its elderly because without their vision, sacrifice, contribution and hard work, successive generations would end up poor inheritors indeed.
