This document summarizes a study on promoting active aging among Uganda's aging population. Key findings include: 1) 40% of older persons are family-supported while 37% live in isolation; 2) active aging programs are limited and mainly accessible to those who can pay; 3) the Geriatric Respite Care Foundation provides socialization and income generation activities to address isolation and promote active aging. Recommend

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”