TANZANIA: We 'Warehouse' Our Elderly in Old Age Homes

Lusungu Kironde comments on Emerging Trends in Old Age Living, House Design and Land Use Planning for the Aged DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (Tanzania Daily News), October 21, 2007: Aging is natural in all living organisms including human beings. Although the situation differs from country to country, and from the developed to the developing world, the proportion and numbers of population that are living long is increasing. Overall, life expectancy has increased with increased control on diseases, better nutrition, less burdensome work and more knowledge on the sources and agents of aging as well as a generally more healthy life. Only a few weeks ago, it was World Elderly Day, where the society is urged to ponder on how to address the needs of the older members of society. Every month the world’s older population increases by 1.2 million. By 2020, 1.4 billion persons will be over 60 years old, and increase of 240 percent since 1980. The fastest growth of the older population is in the developing world. By 2025, and despite the HIV/AIDS pandemic, world-wide life expectancy is expected to reach 73 years, a 50 percent increase on the on the 1955 average of only 48 years. The ageing population has therefore to be taken into consideration in socio economic development plans, including housing and infrastructure. This article questions whether in house design and land use plans in Tanzania, the needs of the aged are taken into consideration. In the industrialised world, there is an approach that divides population into three categories of productivity: * the pre-productive population that is children and adolescents; * the productive population, also known as the economically active population; and * the post-productive group, sometimes referred to as old age pensioners. Broadly speaking, those who are sixty years old or above. In the traditional rural African society, the extended family used to take care of both the children and the elderly. Indeed the elderly were considered to be good nannies, who would moreover instil a sense of responsibility into the children as they grew up. Things are changing and in some societies, the ever-growing proportion of the elderly population is seen as a burden on the economically active population. Usually the elderly are ‘warehoused’ in quasi-institutional buildings called old peoples’ homes, which are usually in undesirable locations, segregated from the rest of the community. In such situations, older persons seem to be relegated to a state of animated suspension between the community and the graveyard. Fortunately such a situation has not arisen in Tanzania, but who knows; we might get there if precautionary measures are not taken. As we are urbanising and construct modern houses it is important to be aware that we too are aging and/or are looking after the elderly. In many houses in urban areas, it is common to find there in a lone old person who has been forced to leave his/her rural setting to come and live with relatives (usually children) since the support that used to exist in rural areas is no longer there. These people are left on their own with nobody to talk to for days on end. They hate television that is put before them. They look back with nostalgia to the good life back in the rural areas to which they cannot practically go back to. Given the demands of modern life, relatives usually come home late, tired, and have no time to talk to their elderly population, which moreover is forced to live in a gated environment where neighbour does not know neighbour. They would be happy to till some land and produce something for the family; yet our planning believes in concrete jungles. It is therefore important that as we plan our houses and our urban land uses we consider the needs of the elderly as well. In many African cities, those who are well endowed put up large mansions with as many rooms as the number of children and expected members of the extended family. Such mansions are a burden in old age since the children do go away. Households do go through phases. Young persons have small households, which grow when they marry and raise a family. In old age, the household becomes small once more. In designing houses, it should be possible to incorporate aspects of changes in the size of households. Older people cannot maintain huge houses. If these could be converted at some point in time so that the extra space is rented out, this could give not only income to the older population, but it could provide some badly needed company. Older people often suffer from some ailments, a good number of them related to wear and tear coming with age. Stiff joints for example make squatting toilets a torture for the older populations. These could be designed in such a way that they are comfortable for the older people to use. Steep staircases are surely another torture for the older populations. Houses could be designed in such a way that, as one grows older, one lives on ground level floors. The same idea applies to blocks of flats without lifts. Old people would find it very difficult to walk up the stair to reach their flat several storeys from the ground; although there could be those who would argue that such an activity provides body exercise for the elderly. It is becoming clear by the day that old persons are an untapped resource. Many of the most important contributions to society have been made by people after their 60th birthday. Older people must be seen as part of the solution rather than just another problem. We have many examples of people who retire from one institution on account of the chronological numbers of age, but who get employed elsewhere and continue with a very productive life. There are many activities, which the elderly can carry out at a fraction of the cost, and which would give them a continued sense of belonging. In designing land uses, we have in this column complained about the lack of, or the privatisation of public open spaces. Old people badly need to get out of those prisons called houses, to walk about and enjoy fresh air, and if they so feel have somewhere to sit and ruminate or talk to others. This points to the importance of open spaces, which are safe, and well looked after. Our concepts that open spaces are children’s play grounds is reflective of the fact that we do not take into considerations the needs of the poor. Old people too need open spaces, need well-kept gardens provided with seats where they can sit and enjoy nature. Old people too need places where they can exercise, such as walking or jogging without fearing for their safety. The time has come for professionals connected to property design and land use planning to consider the increasing number of old people in society’s midst and provide for them. When celebrating the International Day of the aged next year, why not deliberate on how the old persons can comfortably be accommodated in our houses, and neighbourhoods, as well as making them useful members of society? kironde@aru.ac.tz Copyright @TSN 2006 All Rights Reserved