Promoting the role of the elderly and good examples
In recent times, the provincial Elderly Associations have focused on implementing health care work and promoting the role of the elderly. Towards the celebration of the International Day of Older Persons (October 1) and the Action Month for the Elderly in Vietnam this year, Nghe An Newspaper had an interview with Mr. Cao Dang Vinh - Chairman of the Provincial Elderly Association about related issues.
In recent times, the provincial Elderly Associations have focused on implementing health care work and promoting the role of the elderly. On the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons (October 1) and the Action Month for the Elderly in Vietnam this year, Nghe An Newspaper had an interview with Mr. Cao Dang Vinh - Chairman of the Provincial Elderly Association about related issues.
Minh Quan (Implementation) • October 1, 2024
PV:In Vietnam, in October, there are activities to celebrate the International Day of Older Persons and the Month of Action for the Vietnamese Elderly. So can you tell us about the history and significance of the International Day of Older Persons?
Mr. Cao Dang Vinh:In 1982, the United Nations held the first World Congress on Aging in Austria, with the participation of more than 3,000 delegates from most countries in the world. The representative of Vietnam was Professor Pham Khue - Director of the Vietnam Institute of Gerontology. The conference approved the International Program of Action on Aging; recommended that the Governments and people of all countries pay attention to gradually solving the problems of the elderly, based on the specific circumstances of their countries, focusing on 6 areas: Health and nutrition; housing and environment; family; social services and protection; employment; improving the understanding of the elderly about life.
On December 14, 1990, the United Nations General Assembly voted to adopt October 1 of each year as the International Day of Older Persons. The first International Day of Older Persons was held on October 1, 1991.
The United Nations announcement clearly stated: “The content and areas of activities on the International Day of Older Persons, depending on the conditions of each country, can mention specific areas such as: The contributions of older people in science; literature, art, sports and social development; useful activities within the family, community, school and commerce. In addition to praising contributions in many areas to the community, it is also necessary to mention the obligations of society and the community towards the elderly, especially those who are facing difficulties in life due to old age and weakness”.
The International Day of Older Persons is celebrated annually to raise awareness of issues affecting older persons. It is also a day to recognise the contributions that older persons make to society and is the focus of the United Nations programme on ageing and organisations working to protect older persons.
PV:Sir, President Ho Chi Minh once said: “The elderly are invaluable treasures of the nation and the State”. Currently, the elderly are also identified 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 population, of which more than 1,300 are over 100 years old. The oldest person is Dang Thi Tuu in Tan Thanh commune (Yen Thanh) at 117 years old. Currently, the number of elderly members is 428,508, accounting for 95.41%. Nghe An Provincial Elderly Association 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 country with a very old population by 2038, with the proportion of elderly people aged 60 and over reaching 20.1%. Along with rapid aging, the aging population in Vietnam also has its own characteristics, with 68% of the elderly living in rural areas, being farmers and working in agriculture.
In addition, 72.3% of the elderly live with their children and grandchildren, while the trend of Vietnamese family size is gradually shifting from traditional families to nuclear families. Having to live alone is very disadvantageous for the elderly, because the family is always the basic support for each member when they are old. The aging process of the population has posed many challenges to the social security system, as well as health care for the elderly, and Nghe An is no exception.
PV:In recent times, what activities has the province done to better care for the elderly, sir?
Mr. Cao Dang Vinh:In recent times, the work of caring for the elderly in the province has always received attention from all levels, sectors, local authorities, associations of the elderly at all levels and the whole society, creating a strong motivation for the elderly to live happily, healthily and usefully.
Every year, the Association of the Elderly at all levels performs well the advisory work for the Party Committees and authorities; closely coordinates with the Department of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs to do a good job of wishing longevity and celebrating longevity for the elderly. From 2021 to present, the whole province has 15,740 elderly people who were wished longevity and celebrated longevity on the occasion of Lunar New Year. In addition, it coordinates with functional agencies to do a good job of paying monthly allowances to the elderly. Currently, the whole province has more than 83,000 elderly people receiving social allowances according to State regulations.
Health care for the elderly has also been well implemented through the program: “Bright eyes for the elderly”; providing medicine, giving gifts; free health check-ups, and establishing health records for the elderly. To date, the whole province has 249,559 elderly people with health records.
Along with that, all levels, sectors, local authorities and the association of the elderly pay attention to directing the care of the cultural and spiritual life of the elderly; especially the development of various types of clubs to attract and create useful playgrounds for the elderly. Currently, the whole province has 9,413 cultural, artistic, physical education and sports clubs for the elderly in the fields of health care, folk dance, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, etc. Many districts have organized district-level competitions and exchanges such as Dien Chau, Yen Thanh, Hoang Mai Town, Nam Dan, Quy Hop, etc.
PV:Promoting the tradition of “Old age, higher ambition” in the cause of building and developing the country, in recent times, the elderly in the province have enthusiastically carried out emulation movements, making an important contribution to building a rich and beautiful homeland. Could you share the contributions of the elderly in recent times?
Mr. Cao Dang Vinh:In recent years, the movement "Elderly people with good examples" has been responded to by all levels of the association, members and the elderly, creating a vibrant competitive atmosphere. The elderly have actively participated in labor, production, and legitimately enriched their families and society; contributing to hunger eradication, poverty reduction, and job creation for tens of thousands of workers. The whole province currently has over 1,807 models of good economic performance at the commune level, 326 models at the district level, 56 models at the provincial level, 18 models at the central level, with 16,532 elderly people doing good economic performance, of which 3,893 elderly people are business owners and farm owners. At the end of 2023, the Provincial Association of the Elderly successfully organized a conference to honor 114 elderly people and sent 6 delegates to attend the National Conference to honor exemplary elderly people doing good economic performance.
In the field of participating in building the political system at the grassroots level, with prestige, experience, courage and high responsibility, the elderly have participated and effectively contributed their opinions to the local Party Committee and government with many practical contents. In particular, currently, the whole 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 and above. This is a favorable condition for grasping, implementing propaganda, mobilizing elderly members to implement the Party's policies and resolutions, the State's policies and laws and effectively implementing the movements and activities of the association.
In the emulation movement to participate in building new rural areas - civilized urban areas, from 2021 to present, members of the elderly association in the province have donated over 345,553 m2land; contributed 374,998 working days to build rural roads, build public welfare works... The emulation movement to practice a civilized lifestyle, cultural family; the emulation movement to participate in environmental protection; ensure security, order, prevent and fight crime, prevent and fight corruption; the movement to encourage learning, encourage talents... also received enthusiastic, responsible and highly effective participation from the cadres and members of the association of the elderly.
Elderly associations at all levels have creatively integrated the movement "Elderly people are shining examples" with the campaign "All people unite to build a cultural life in residential areas", attracting a large number of cadres and members to participate. The grassroots elderly association has always been the core force in the movement to build cultural families, cultural villages, advanced residential areas, and the movement "Exemplary grandparents and parents, filial children and grandchildren". Every year, 99% of elderly association members' families achieve the title of Cultural Family.
PV:Currently, there are still many elderly people in difficult circumstances. What activities do the Elderly Associations at all levels do to support them in their life?
Mr. Cao Dang Vinh:Although the government, the elderly association at all levels and the whole society have carried out many practical activities to care for and share difficulties with the elderly, in reality, there are still many elderly people in difficult circumstances, especially in rural areas. The whole province currently has more than 13,000 elderly people in difficult circumstances, nearly 2,000 of whom are lonely and have no one to rely on.
Therefore, currently, the elderly associations at all levels in the province are promoting the implementation of the "Intergenerational Self-Help Club" model, thereby helping elderly members receive health care, spiritual care, and support in borrowing capital to develop production and business... In particular, from 2022 to present, implementing Plan No. 345/KH-UBND dated June 1, 2022 of the Provincial People's Committee on implementing the Project to replicate the "Intergenerational Self-Help" Club model in Nghe An province by 2025, although there is no support capital, the elderly associations at all levels have established 150 "Intergenerational Self-Help" Clubs, bringing the total number of clubs in the province to 250 clubs. Nghe An is assessed by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly as a province that implemented the model late but implemented it resolutely and achieved high results.
PV:To create conditions to help the elderly live happily, healthily, and usefully for their families and society, how will this year's Action Month for the Elderly focus on activities, sir?
Mr. Cao Dang Vinh:During the Action Month for the Elderly in 2024, the Provincial Association of the Elderly will deploy to the grassroots associations a number of key tasks such as: Developing a plan and program for the action month with the goal of strengthening propaganda work so that people, especially the elderly, are aware of their responsibilities to the community, family and the whole society, including the elderly; Timely grasp the thoughts, lives and aspirations of the elderly, especially the elderly in difficult circumstances.
Along with that, mobilize resources to support and take care of the health of the elderly in the province, especially the elderly in rural areas. Specifically, coordinate with a number of provincial hospitals, district, city and town hospitals to take care of the health, examine and treat diseases for members; pay attention to organizing activities to visit and encourage members when they are sick, in trouble and when they pass away. On the other hand, focus on promoting propaganda towards the Conference to honor exemplary elderly people participating in building the political system at all levels for 5 years (2019 - 2024).
PV:Thank you for the conversation!
