Promoting the role of the elderly as exemplary role models.
In recent times, the elderly associations at all levels in the province have focused on healthcare and promoting the role of the elderly. Leading up to the International Day of Older Persons (October 1st) and the Month of Action for Vietnamese Elderly People this year, Nghe An Newspaper had an interview with Mr. Cao Dang Vinh - Chairman of the Provincial Elderly Association - on related issues.
In recent times, the elderly associations at all levels in the province have focused on healthcare and promoting the role of the elderly. On the occasion of International Day of Older Persons (October 1st) and the Month of Action for Vietnamese Elderly People this year, Nghe An Newspaper had an interview with Mr. Cao Dang Vinh - Chairman of the Provincial Elderly Association - on related issues.
Minh Quân (Editor) • October 1, 2024
PV:In Vietnam, October is celebrated with activities commemorating International Day of Older Persons and the Month of Action for Older Persons in Vietnam. Could you please tell us about the history and significance of International Day of Older Persons?
Mr. Cao Dang Vinh:In 1982, the United Nations held its first World Congress on Aging in Austria, with the participation of over 3,000 delegates from most countries around the world. Vietnam's delegate was Professor Pham Khue, Director of the Vietnam Institute of Gerontology. The conference adopted the International Programme of Action on Aging; recommending that governments and people of all countries pay attention to gradually addressing issues concerning the elderly, based on their specific circumstances, focusing on six areas: health and nutrition; housing and environment; family; social services and protection; employment; and improving the understanding of life for the elderly.
On December 14, 1990, the United Nations General Assembly voted to designate October 1st as the International Day of Older Persons. The first International Day of Older Persons was celebrated on October 1, 1991.
The United Nations announcement stated: “The content and scope of activities for International Day of Older Persons, depending on the conditions of each country, may address specific areas such as: the contributions of older persons in science; literature, arts, sports and social development; useful activities within the family, community, school and commerce. Besides celebrating contributions in many fields to the community, it is also necessary to address the obligations of society towards older persons, especially those facing difficulties in life due to old age and infirmity.”
International Day of Older Persons is celebrated annually to raise awareness of issues affecting older people. It is also a day to recognize the contributions older people make to society and is a focal point of the United Nations' program on older persons and organizations advocating for older persons.
PV:Sir, President Ho Chi Minh once said: "The elderly are an invaluable treasure of the nation and the State." Currently, the elderly are also recognized as one of the important social forces. Could you please give us an overview of the current situation of the elderly in the province?
Mr. Cao Dang Vinh:Nghe An currently has 432,495 elderly people, accounting for 12.13% of the province's total population, including more than 1,300 centenarians. The oldest is Ms. Dang Thi Tuu in Tan Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district), who is 117 years old. Currently, the number of elderly members is 428,508, representing 95.41%. The Nghe An Provincial Association of the Elderly has 21 district-level associations, 460 commune-level associations, and 3,801 branches.
According to the Ministry of Health's forecast, Vietnam will become a very old country by 2038, with the proportion of people aged 60 and over reaching 20.1%. Along with rapid aging, the aging of the population in Vietnam also has its own unique characteristics, with 68% of the elderly living in rural areas, being farmers and engaged in agriculture.
Furthermore, 72.3% of elderly people live with their children and grandchildren, while the trend in Vietnamese family size is gradually shifting from traditional families to nuclear families. Living alone is a significant disadvantage for the elderly, as family is always the fundamental support system for each member in old age. The aging population has posed many challenges to the social security system, as well as healthcare for the elderly, and Nghe An is no exception.
PV:What activities has the province undertaken recently to better care for the lives of the elderly, sir?
Mr. Cao Dang Vinh:Over the past period, the care of the elderly in the province has always received attention from all levels, sectors, local authorities, elderly associations at all levels, and the entire society, creating a strong impetus for the elderly to live happily, healthily, and usefully.
Annually, the Elderly Associations at all levels effectively advise the Party Committees and the government; they closely coordinate with the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs to organize birthday celebrations and longevity ceremonies for the elderly. From 2021 to the present, 15,740 elderly people in the province have received birthday greetings and longevity celebrations during the Lunar New Year. In addition, they coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure the timely payment of monthly allowances to the elderly. Currently, more than 83,000 elderly people in the province receive social assistance as stipulated by the State.
Healthcare for the elderly has also been well-implemented through the "Bright Eyes for the Elderly" program; providing medicine and gifts; offering free health check-ups; and establishing health records for the elderly. To date, the province has 249,559 elderly people with health records.
Along with that, all levels, sectors, local authorities, and senior citizens' associations have paid attention to directing and caring for the cultural and spiritual lives of the elderly; especially the development of various types of clubs to attract and create beneficial recreational spaces for the elderly. Currently, the entire province has 9,413 cultural, artistic, and sports clubs for the elderly in disciplines such as health exercises, folk dance, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, etc. Many districts have organized competitions and exchanges at the district level, such as Dien Chau, Yen Thanh, Hoang Mai town, Nam Dan, Quy Hop…
PV:Upholding the tradition of "The older the age, the stronger the will" in the cause of national construction and development, in recent times, elderly people throughout the province have enthusiastically participated in emulation movements, making important contributions to building a prosperous and beautiful homeland. Could you share some of the contributions of elderly people in recent times?
Mr. Cao Dang Vinh:Over the years, the "Elderly Role Models" movement has been enthusiastically embraced by all levels of associations and their members, creating a vibrant atmosphere of competition. Elderly people have actively participated in labor and production, legitimately enriching their families and society; contributing to poverty reduction and creating jobs for tens of thousands of workers. Currently, the province has over 1,807 successful economic models at the commune level, 326 at the district level, 56 at the provincial level, and 18 at the central level, with 16,532 elderly people excelling in economic activities, including 3,893 who are business owners or farm owners. At the end of 2023, the Provincial Association of Elderly People successfully organized a conference to commend 114 elderly people and sent 6 delegates to the National Conference to commend outstanding elderly people excelling in economic activities.
In the field of participating in building the political system at the grassroots level, with their prestige, experience, courage, and high sense of responsibility, elderly people have effectively contributed opinions to local Party committees and authorities with many practical contents. In particular, currently, the entire province has more than 25,011 elderly people directly participating in building the political system (Party, government, mass organizations, education promotion, people's inspection, mediation) from group leader level upwards. This is a favorable condition for understanding, implementing, and disseminating information to elderly members to carry out the Party's guidelines and resolutions, the State's policies and laws, and the effective implementation of the association's movements and activities.
In the emulation movement to participate in building new rural areas and civilized urban areas, from 2021 to the present, members of the elderly association in the province have donated over 345,553 m² of land.2Land; contributing 374,998 man-days to build rural roads and public welfare facilities... The emulation movement to implement a civilized lifestyle and cultured family; the emulation movement to participate in environmental protection; ensuring security and order, preventing and combating crime and corruption; the movement to promote learning and talent... were also enthusiastically, responsibly, and effectively participated in by officials and members of the elderly association.
The elderly associations at all levels have creatively integrated the "Elderly Role Models" movement with the "National Unity for Building a Culturally Rich Life in Residential Areas" campaign, attracting a large number of officials and members to participate. Local elderly associations are always the core force in the movement to build culturally rich families, villages, and residential areas, as well as the "Exemplary Grandparents, Parents, and Filial Children" movement. Annually, 99% of elderly member families achieve the title of "Culturally Rich Family".
PV:Currently, many elderly people still face difficult circumstances. What activities do senior citizen associations at all levels undertake to support them in improving their lives?
Mr. Cao Dang Vinh:Although the government, senior citizen associations at all levels, and society as a whole have carried out many practical activities to care for and share the difficulties of the elderly, in reality, there are still quite a number of elderly people in difficult circumstances, especially in rural areas. Currently, the province still has over 13,000 elderly people in difficult circumstances, and nearly 2,000 who are lonely and without support.
Therefore, currently, senior citizen associations at all levels in the province are actively implementing the "Intergenerational Self-Help Club" model, thereby helping senior citizen members receive healthcare, spiritual well-being, and assistance with loans for production and business development. In particular, from 2022 to the present, implementing Plan No. 345/KH-UBND dated June 1, 2022, of the Provincial People's Committee on the implementation of the Project to expand the "Intergenerational Self-Help Club" model in Nghe An province until 2025, despite the lack of funding, senior citizen associations at all levels have established 150 "Intergenerational Self-Help Clubs," bringing the total number of clubs in the province to 250. Nghe An is considered by the Vietnam Senior Citizens Association Central Committee as a province that implemented the model late but organized its implementation decisively and achieved high results.
PV:To create conditions that help the elderly live happily, healthily, and productively for their families and society, what activities will this year's Month of Action for the Elderly focus on, sir?
Mr. Cao Dang Vinh:During the 2024 Month of Action for the Elderly, the Provincial Association of the Elderly will implement several key tasks at its branches, including: Developing a plan and program for the month of action with the goal of strengthening propaganda to raise awareness among the people, especially the elderly, about their responsibilities to the community, family, and society as a whole, including the elderly; and promptly understanding the thoughts, lives, and aspirations of the elderly, especially those in difficult circumstances.
In addition, the organization mobilizes resources to support and care for the health of the elderly in the province, especially those in rural areas. Specifically, it coordinates with several provincial hospitals and district/city hospitals to provide healthcare, examinations, and treatment for members; and organizes activities to visit and encourage members when they are sick, in distress, or have passed away. Furthermore, it focuses on promoting awareness leading up to the Conference to honor outstanding elderly people participating in building the political system at all levels over the next five years (2019-2024).
PV:Thank you for the conversation!
