Community Assistance Programs for Elderly Filipinos are integral schemes designed to support the country’s growing senior population.
These programs aim to enhance the quality of life for elderly Filipinos by providing comprehensive care, financial assistance, and health services.
Key initiatives include the Home Care Support Services for Senior Citizens (HCSSSC), the Long Term Care Program for Senior Citizens (LTCSC), and innovative financial schemes by the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC).
With a significant increase in the elderly population projected, these programs are essential in addressing the unique needs of senior citizens and promoting active aging.
Elderly Community Assistance Programs Overview
The Philippines has implemented several community assistance programs to support its growing elderly population.
These aim to enhance the quality of life for seniors, promote active aging, and ascertain that the needs of the elderly are met through comprehensive care and support.
Here are some of the key programs that play a significant role in this mission:
1. Home Care Support Services for Senior Citizens (HCSSSC)
The Home Care Support Services for Senior Citizens (HCSSSC) program, offered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), is a community-based efforts designed to provide quality care for sick, frail, and bedridden senior citizens in their own homes.
Objectives of HCSSSC:
- Delivering caregiving services to seniors who struggle with daily activities.
- Training volunteers to provide home care support.
- Encouraging family participation in elderly care.
- Enhancing local government and organization capabilities in service delivery.
- Raising public awareness about senior citizens’ needs.
Discussion on Home Care Support Services for Senior Citizens
During the Orientation of Completed Social Technologies in Tuguegarao City, Mr. Bony Mar Lumabao elaborates on the Home Care Support Services for Senior Citizens. This session, part of a program for Local Social Welfare and Development Officers, emphasizes the importance of tailored care for elderly individuals. The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s involvement underscores their commitment to providing compassionate services for the elderly population. The event showcases innovative approaches to support senior citizens in their homes, promoting their well-being and quality of life.
The primary beneficiaries are seniors aged 60 and above who are frail, sick, bedridden, or have disabilities affecting their daily lives.
Secondary beneficiaries include family members lacking caregiving skills and volunteers willing to assist.
2. DSWD Long Term Care Program for Senior Citizens (LTCSC)
The DSWD Long Term Care Program for Senior Citizens (LTCSC) is a comprehensive program serving as a blueprint for meeting the present and future needs of the growing senior population. This program integrates various services to promote active aging and a society for all ages.
Aims of LTCSC:
- Address the developmental and long-term care needs of senior citizens.
- Maintain efficient implementation of programs.
- Promote national uniformity in activities for active aging.
3. National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) Programs
The National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) has developed innovative programs to assist Filipino seniors in maintaining financial stability and securing sustainable housing.
> MaBuHay Program:
The MaBuHay Program is a reverse mortgage scheme that allows senior homeowners to borrow against the value of their property. Seniors can receive funds as fixed monthly payments or a line of credit, which helps them cover medical costs, travel expenses, or provide additional capital for business ventures.
NHMFC’s MABUHAY(RMP) Program Offers Financial Aid to Senior Citizens
A beneficiary of the MABUHAY(RMP) Program shares how the program and NHMFC’s personnel have provided much-needed financial assistance to his family. This program demonstrates NHMFC’s dedication to supporting Senior Citizens through innovative housing schemes like the MAginhawang BUhay sa BaHAY. The program aims to improve the lives of senior citizens by providing them with access to affordable and comfortable housing.
While not exclusively for seniors, the BALAI BERDE Program promotes sustainable housing development in safe communities. It offers loans for green housing projects, contributing to environmental sustainability and disaster resilience, which can also benefit elderly populations.
NHMFC Promotes Sustainable Housing and Gender Equality Through BALAI BERDE Program
The NHMFC has partnered with PHINMA Properties to launch the BALAI BERDE Program, which aims to provide sustainable and affordable housing options in the Philippines. A Process Orientation was held on January 12, 2024 for PHINMA sellers and marketing officers to discuss the program’s requirements and processes. The orientation also highlighted the NHMFC’s commitment to gender equality through its Gender and Development (GAD) efforts, discussing how the program can help alleviate gender biases and issues in the country. Both organizations are committed to building a more inclusive and equitable housing sector.
4. Healthy Aging Program for Pinoy (HAPPY) Senior Citizens
The Healthy Aging Program for Pinoy (HAPPY) Senior Citizens is a research and development scheme launched by the Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI). This program aims to improve the health and quality of life of Filipino seniors through advanced nutrition and physical activity research.
Key Features of HAPPY:
- A new Nutrition Physiology Laboratory that integrates metabolism, physical activity, body composition, and nutrition research.
- Advanced technologies to generate data on how nutrition and physical activity contribute to improved health and functionality in older Filipinos.
- Multidisciplinary assessments of nutrition, function, anthropometric measures, biochemical measures, and geriatric conditions.
Promoting Healthy Aging Through “HAPPY” Program
Today at the Maranlig Covered Court, the Local Government of Torrijos and the Rural Health Unit host the “Healthy Aging Program for Pinoy” (HAPPY) to educate and provide information to beloved senior citizens. The Rural Health Unit offers various services at booths, including free ECG and haircuts, emphasizing the importance of maintaining smiles and staying HAPPY for a healthy Torrijos community.
5. Senior Citizens’ Benefits and Privileges
Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 (Republic Act No. 9994)
This law provides various benefits and privileges to senior citizens, including:
- 20% discount and VAT exemption on certain goods and services.
- Mandatory PhilHealth coverage.
- Social pension and indigent senior citizens’ financial assistance.
- Discounts on utility bills and exempt from income tax if solely dependent on pension.
Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA)
Each local government unit (LGU) has an Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) to promote that the rights and privileges of senior citizens are upheld. OSCA handles the implementation of programs and services for the elderly at the local level, so that they receive the benefits and support they are entitled to.
6. Community-Based Health Programs
Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS)
These community health workers play a major role in delivering primary healthcare services to the elderly.
They provide basic health education, monitor health conditions, and facilitate access to necessary medical services.
The Important Role of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) in Public Health
Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) are indispensable in the healthcare system for various reasons. They oversee healthcare accessibility at the community level, offer preventive care, provide health education, aid in early detection and referrals, support during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, foster community trust, assist in data collection, and contribute to cost-effectiveness in healthcare delivery. Overall, BHWs play an important role in promoting public health, improving health outcomes, and making healthcare more accessible to all.
Rural Health Units (RHUs) serve as primary health care providers in rural areas, offering various health services, including those catered to the elderly.
RHUs work in tandem with barangay health workers to provide comprehensive care for seniors.
PhilHealth E-Consultation Accreditation for Rural Health Units
Today, representatives from PhilHealth discussed the accreditation of Rural Health Units (RHUs) to access the E-Konsulta program. Instructions have been given to doctors to initiate the accreditation process. In Bayung Masantol, residents are in good health, reflecting the community’s commitment to healthcare access and quality.
Video: Webinar on Addressing the Needs of Senior Citizens in the Philippines
In this webinar led by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), the panelists discussed various community assistance programs for the elderly in the Philippines. It highlighted the significant increase in the elderly population and the need for enhanced social protection programs. The discussion included the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) efforts to provide financial assistance, health care, and social services to senior citizens. Key points addressed the need for better targeting of social pensions, the importance of comprehensive data for effective program implementation, and the potential for increased pensions through legislative support. The event concluded with recommendations for improving the overall welfare of the elderly.
Conclusion
The Philippine government has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting its elderly population through various community assistance programs.
From home care and long-term care services to financial assistance and health programs, these efforts aim to enhance the quality of life for Filipino seniors and promote active, healthy aging.
By leveraging community involvement and inter-agency collaboration, these programs make sure that the needs of the elderly are met in a comprehensive and sustainable manner.