1. ACTIVE AGEING FOR THE AGEING
POPULATION OF UGANDA.
RICHARD SEMANDA
GERIATRIC RESPITE CARE FOUNDATION- DEPT
P.O.BOX 2882 KAMPALA
TEL. +256 772 404 520, +256 772 522 138
E-mail. agedtafu@yahoo.com, geriatricrespitefug@mail.com
Ufa International Conference and Exhibition on Ageing
17-20th Sept 2012

2. Uganda
Covers a total area of 244,400
sq Km. 93,981 square miles.
 Uganda's population is 34.5
Millions
 With total Population of
1,101,039 of older
persons as per 2002 Census.
(4.6%)

3. A true picture of a Ugandan
household.
HAU

4. Basic facts of Uganda and
Geriatrics
 Older people suffer from a wide range of health
problems.
 Many of these problems can be prevented,
treated or rehabilitated
 There is hardly any information about geriatric
medical care which would promote active and
health care ageing of older persons.
 This makes it very difficult to plan
preventative, treatment and rehabilitation
services.

5. Study
 African Palliative Care Association (APCA) and
Age care organizations of Uganda carried out a
study on the well being of older persons and
how appropriate older persons can be inspired
to be more active
 Findings indicated that a lot remain undone to
motivate older persons to be physically
active.

6. Finding
 40% older persons are supported by their
families
 37% live in isolation and their families live far
away from them.
 Government policy promotes older persons to
remain at home for community care services.
 Active ageing in Uganda is mainly for older
persons with money because they can afford to
pay for wellness/ gymnastic centers.

7. GRCF- Initiatives
 GRCF was set up with and an aim of addressing
some of the older persons’ health issues i.e -
- sensitize the older persons on the
importance of active ageing
- Meet once in a fortnight at the centre
to socialize, learn management of IGA
play games and encourage them
to participate in MDD.

8. Community sensitization

9. MDD Activity
 It reduces loneliness
and isolation
 Promotes active
ageing

10. Some of the IGA activities


11. Physical Activity

12. Activities of older persons cont.

13. Activities of the older persons

14. GAPS
 There is a knowledge gap about active ageing.
 Nutritional values are not properly utilized
 No geriatric experts and services in Uganda
 Policy not yet implemented.
 Older persons’ services are limited

15. Recommendations
 Older persons must be supported to live actively
until the end.
 Older persons are Encyclopedia in Africa, so
they should be valued.
 Volunteer experts in care of older persons
Should be utilized to support the development
of older persons’ programs

16. Acknowledgement
 To International Council on Active Ageing for
their monthly journals on Active Ageing
 Organization of Retired Persons "Wisdom
Ripening“
 Charity Foundation “Ladoga” and
 The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of
the Republic of Bashkortostan for having invited
me to this important conference

17. “Let old live and die with
dignity”