LEBANON: NGOs Deliver Elderly Services Once Provided By Families

Shifting attitudes have left a vacuum in certain types of care BEIRUT (Daily Star), November 1, 2004: With the elderly community in Lebanon growing to represent an even greater part of the population in the coming years, the number of residential institutions expanding or simply opening is increasing. Despite a lack of accurate statistics, as no clear assessment of the Lebanese population is available in the first place, experts agree that around 10 percent of the locals are over 65, and is set to reach at least 13 percent in the next two decades. "Considering the health improvements that guarantee a longer life, and the fact that the average number children in each family is closer to two or three (as opposed to) when it was seven or eight a few decades ago, the age pyramid is larger on top," said Azzam Houri, director of Dar al-Ajaza al-Islamiyya, a residential institution in southern Beirut sheltering around 400 Lebanese seniors. "And while it was still unacceptable a few years ago, all religious communities have their own homes for the elderly now. We already count 40, and others are still opening," Houri said. In that same spirit, he noted that "most of our private donations are received during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan." Except for two institutions run privately, all others are the work of non governmental organizations. Arslan Baydoun, a 90-year-old man, has been a resident of Dar al-Ajaza for 12 years. "My wife died 20 years ago; I have two daughters but I don't want to be a burden on them. This is my home now," he said. When Maha Abou Chawareb, director of Foyer Saint Georges - a 60-bed residential home in Beirut - started working in 1997, sending an old person to an institution was taboo, a reality that has since changed. "Considering the current economic situation, old people are seen as non-productive, and the family can't support them anymore. No matter what we say in Lebanon, the consideration shown old people has changed for the worse, and is not really flattering," she said. "Another curse is the migration of young people that, in turn, leaves old people all alone," Abou Chawareb said. In the absence of an official government plan, a national committee for the elderly was established in 1999, in which public, private, and non-governmental organizations and experts have been included. As members, Abou Chawareb and Houri explained that aside from following up on the legal aspect, the committee is also trying to create a more welcoming environment for elderly citizens within society. "Thirty-three clubs for the elderly, or day care centers, were opened across the country with social activities offered," said Houri. Playing cards, watching movies or simply discussing issues are activities that can enliven the daily routine of any participating member. These same activities are offered by the new social center for elderly Palestinian refugees that opened recently in the Bourj al-Barajneh camp in Beirut. Recently inaugurated by the Women's Humanitarian Organization and Caritas Austria - together with project partner Caritas Lebanon Migrants Center - this project is supported by the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office and aims to provide health care services and activities to elderly Palestinians. "Social activities like outings or clubs are mainly dedicated to children and young people," said Olfat Mahmoud, the center's director. "We are just trying to divert them from the worry in their lives." Besides basic social activities including outings, meeting Palestinian children is part of the program. "We are trying to rebuild connections; they will teach them songs they used to sing and tell them about their life as children in Palestine," said Mahmoud, adding that these seniors were a symbol. "Each time one of them dies, we feel that the Palestinian nation has lost another pillar." By teaching people how to take care for the elderly, the project also intends to raise awareness of their needs, through public education in Bourj al-Barajneh, Dbayeh, Mar Elias and Shatila camps. On the occasion of the International Day for the Elderly, October 1, Foyer Saint Georges, under rehabilitation and expansion, celebrated its occupants. "The International Day for the Elderly is a great day," said Aida Torbey, 70. "Having all those people around us lifts up our state of mind, I almost forgot my suffering," she said. Nadia Hannouche, 45, has been working as a practical nurse in Foyer Saint Georges for the past six years: "These people are a treasure for us. We should respect them and love them much more than that. It is nice to have an International Day for them, but what about the other 364 days?" By Linda Dahdah Daily Star staff