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Meneer die voorsitter,dames en here. Dit is vir my aangenaam om saam met u by hierdie belangrike geleentheid teenwoordig te wees. Behalwe dat ons vandag met u wil konsulteer oor 'n voorgestelde koersverandering oor veroudering, vorm dit ook deel van die viering van die Internasionale Dag oor Veroudering wat jaarliks op 1 Oktober gevier word.

Dames en here, u is vandag hier teenwoordig omdat u op een of ander manier belang by ouer persone het. Ons wil ouer persone se welsyn in die toekoms verseker. U as ouer persone, wat vandag in groot getalle hier teenwoordig is, dra mede-ouer persone se belange op die hart. U bydrae in die beplanning van beleid en 'n strategie oor veroudering is daarom van groot belang. U sal merk dat beleid oor veroudering nie langer in isolasie geformuleer word nie. U neem ook deel.

The Discussion Group on Ageing has reached an important milestone. After facilitating a process of change of direction regarding ageing, the Discussion Group has managed to provide us with a draft document on the envisaged policy framework and a strategy for a new dispensation in this country.

This draft document is available and open for consultation, discussion and approval today. Each and everybody present here today, will be involved in the discussion of the envisaged policy framework and proposed strategy. I hope that we can make an announcement at the end of all the deliberations that new policy for ageing in South Africa is adopted, which will be applied in the near future.

Care of the aged in South Africa is currently a major issue. Budget constraints and the availability of funds are major concerns. An uneasiness prevails among the service providers. Feelings of uncertainty and insecurity is prevalent among the older population. It is a pity that facts are often misinterpreted.

I want to make it clear that the Government was unable to make inflation related increased funding available for subsidies for the third consecutive year. The diminishing subsidies for homes of the aged and community based services result in budget deficits for the formal welfare sector. The private welfare organisations have to develop their own strategies in finding additional funds to address the most pressing needs. Developing communities are confronted with backlogs. The.challenge is therefore to get money available to initiate development services within the limited resources.

The provision of social security to an increasing number of older persons will continue. It is foreseen that the Government will have to make provision for social security for a considerable length of time, before the younger generation will be able to make provision for their own retirement and old age. Cognisance should also be taken of the fact that social security is the one single expense which erodes the limited welfare budget, leaving Government with less money available each year for the provision of welfare services.

Considering these facts, a change of direction with regard to ageing could no longer be postponed in this country. I therefore appreciate the willingness and commitment of the Discussion Group on Ageing to accept the challenge of changing direction. I believe that your suggestions in respect of a policy framework, are well debated and that it will redress current problems regarding ageing in all communities.

The provision of institutional care for older persons was over-emphasised for too long. Are you aware that more than 44 OOO white older persons are currently cared for in homes for the aged in comparison with less than 7 OOO older persons of all the other population groups? Do all these people really need institutional care? Is it necessary to subsidise older persons in homes for the aged if they are able to live in sheltered accommodation? Caring in institutional facilities are expensive. Unit costs vary from home to home, namely R800 per person per month up to R2 OOO per person per month. Should institutional care only be available for frail care or should other alternatives such as affordable accommodation or assisted living units also be considered?

Another urgent question which arises is, whether all older persons living in homes for the aged are destitute or without any family and caring support? Or did an attitude develop among especially the white population, that once a person is growing old, the only alternative is admission to a home for the agedI ask these questions, as these facts compel us to consider a change of direction and to address backlogs in developing communities. Insufficient funds within the welfare fraternity, offers us the opportunity of perhaps reprioritising services rendered to older perons. That is what we are here for today. Please make segestions on suitable caring models with a view to provide equitable, appropriate and affordable services to an increasing nunlber of older persons in this country.

In order to manage an effective change of direction, community based support and caring systems should be in place and current services be extended. With information available, only 37 OOO older persons currently benefit from formal community-based services in comparison with 51 OOO persons cared for in homes for the aged. Should the criteria be applied to provide community based sevices for about 20% of the older population in this country, you will agree that there is room for impsovement. Community-based services should then be provided to at least 350 OOO older persons. Imbalances such as these, need to be addressed by stakeholders as services providers, as well as recipients of senrices.

I am aware that, although selrvices are nor readily available in many communities, there are organisations rendering informal services. Those initiatives are appreciated. You devote your time and energy to those in need. You apply your knowledge and skills, in order to enhance the life styles of less privileged counterparts of your community. You do not rely on any financial support from Government. You even manage to rise funds within impoverished communities to render effective services. You set an example to many communities. With this approach you create empowered, proud community members which become relatively self-sufficient. You create an approach of independency. Ultimately, you ereate innovative caring models, which, if you share your experiences, can perhaps be applied in other cornmunities.Each community has its own values. Some are dependent on hand outs. Others are self-sufficient to a cettain extent. Some communities take pride in their achievements and others will not initiate services unless they are sure that Government will subsidise services. Each community determines its own norms and standards regarding service rendering, as well as the affordability of services.

There are however, many issues regarding ageing which need further attention and research. The abuse and exploitation of older persons are two of these issues. The abuse and exploitation of older penons, whether it be physical or psychological, for instance, existed all the time. The prevalence is however difficult to determine as yet. Cognizance should be taken in order to address it.abused and exploited older persons are indignified and find themselves often in circumstances from which they are unable to eccape.Jain and Menon described elder abuse in India during 1991 as" a silent revolution, a coup of all sorts .. The patfiarch, the - the oldest son the aging booo, and the village older are being elbowed aside. The youth are moving in. Children are even throwing their parents out."This is an unfortuanate development since such treatment torwards elderly was traditionally rare.

The abuse and exploitation of older persons are world-wide phenomena. Not only the Government, but all role players have responsibility to address it effectively.Frail care is another matter which needs attention. Would you agree that only frail persons be admitted to homes for the aged? If so, an uniform assessment scale is essential for implementation. I am informed that advanced progress has been made in this respect. It is being tested for its reliability and will hopefully be available for utilisation in the near future,The less older persons are admitted to homes for the aged, the more pressure will be placed on service providers for community-based services. The main objective is to provide equitable accessible and affordable services according to the specific basic needs of older persons.Community care places pressure on children and family to a greater extent, to be involved in the caring responsibilities of their older relatives. Increasing pressure will also be transferred to service providers with regard to supportive services to home carers. I can envisage that. day, respite or relief care might need careful consideration in the future in order to prevent burn-out. the role of volunteers, in this regard, should also be considered.

A need might exist for temporary frail care only. After rehabilitation, due to a stroke for instance, a person should be able to return to the community, provided that the necessary support and caring systems are in place.I admit that there is a lack of suitable supplementary services but I am, however, positive.: In a new dispensation we are confronted with many challenges. It paves the way for innovative actions in addressing community needs. Only committed service providers will let new initiatives succeed.

The main objective now, is to take cognisance of the demographic changes regarding the ageing of populations and to plan services accordingly. The effective management of ageing is a prerequisite for a new dispensation.During 1991 South Africa had 1,7 million persons older than 65 years. It is estimated that the number of older persons will increase to 3,4 million by the year 2015 and 7,5 million by the year 2035. It is further important to know that the number of persons older than 80 years are increasing more rapidly than those in the age group 65 to 80 years. In terms of ,physical, intellectual and mental capacities, today's 60 to 75 year old men and women are often 10 years younger than their counterparts several years ago. Life expectancy can therefore increase dramatically. China is already experiencing a 37% increase in the number of centenarians in the past 30 years!

The number of older persons is increasing, but funding resources do not follow suite. This fact supports a changing direction.Four strategic goals have been identified for implementation In a new dispensation. The younger generation should be made aware of their responsibility, at an early age, to make provision for retirement and old age, in order to promote their independency.The promotion of an age integrated society is essential. Older persons are a source of knowledge and expertise and definitely an asset to society if their potential is acknowledged and utilised effectively.

Community-based support and caring models are regarded as an exciting challenge to empower and enable older persons to live and be cared for within the community for as long as possible. Once this paradigm shift has materialised, the provision of equilitable, appropriate and affordable caring and support models, including affordable accommodation, will have been achieved.Considering that ageing is part of the life-cycle, each and everybody in this country has a responsibility toulards an ageing person and vice versa.

Ek vertrou op u heelhartige samewerking. Ons is afhanklik van u waardevolle bydraes om 'n effektiewe beleidsraamwerk en strategie vir veroudering in werking te stel. Veroudering is 'n normale lewensfase. Veroudering staan vir elkeen van ons voor die deur. U bydrae kan die verskil maak tussen beter of swakker lewensomstandighede van ouer persone in die toekoms.

Baie dankie vir u teenwoordigheid en u bydrae. Ek dank u.

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