Community-based elderly health care

Members of the Intergenerational Self-Help Club in the old Hoang Gian residential area often visit the house of Mrs. Tran Thi Lan (middle) to chat and encourage each other.

In places where this club has been established, the elderly receive active care and attention from the community.

Happy and healthy

Many years ago, Mrs. Tran Thi Lan (88 years old) in the old Hoang Gian residential area, Hoang Tien ward (Chi Linh city) always had to live in loneliness and desolation when her husband died early, her only child left home and has not returned for 30 years. Since the residential area established the Intergenerational Self-Help Club, her life has changed. "Almost every day, people from the club come to visit, chat, encourage, and help me with housework. They are like blood relatives. My life is less sad, happier, and my spirit is much better," Mrs. Lan shared.

About half a kilometer from Lan's house, Nguyen Van Son (96 years old) also lives alone because his children all live and get married far away. In the past few days, he fell ill, and the Intergenerational Self-Help Club of the area sent a volunteer to take care of him every day, helping him cook and look after the house. Mr. Dinh Cong Dinh, Chairman of the Club said: "We have 70 members, including 10 volunteers. We have a list of households, especially the elderly, their illnesses and circumstances. If there is any difficulty in the area, we immediately deploy activities to visit and provide timely support."

When summer comes, the yard of the cultural house of Thuong Duong village, Nam Trung commune (Nam Sach) is almost always filled with dozens of elderly men playing volleyball every afternoon. In the evening, nearly 20 elderly women gather here to do health exercises. The sports and arts clubs established by the Intergenerational Self-Help Club of Thuong Duong village have become useful playgrounds for the local elderly.

Elderly people in Thuong Duong village (Nam Sach) live happier and healthier lives since the Intergenerational Self-Help Club was established.

The Intergenerational Self-Help Club of Thuong Duong village was established in 2019 and currently has 62 members of all ages, from young people, middle-aged people and the elderly. 69% of the members are from families with material difficulties or mental deprivation such as living alone, disabled people, etc. Along with establishing art and sports clubs, this club maintains many activities to care for the elderly in the community. The club meets regularly once a month. During each meeting, blood pressure and weight are measured, and health care advice is given to members. Twice a year, the club coordinates with the commune health station to examine, advise, and guide the prevention of common diseases in the elderly such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, blood pressure, etc. Elderly people, whether members or non-members, living alone and facing difficulties, are assigned people by the club to care for and help. “We have 2 members who are and have been medical staff. During regular monthly meetings, they actively advise, guide, and share information to help people gain knowledge to take care of their own health, their families’ and the community’s. Since the club was established, the spiritual life of the elderly has improved significantly. Everyone lives happier and healthier,” said Mr. Dang Van Thung, Head of the Intergenerational Self-Help Club in Thuong Duong village.

Continue to expand

The Intergenerational Self-Help Club model in Hai Duong was implemented by the United Nations Population Fund and the International Organization for Support of the Elderly in Vietnam since 2013, initially establishing 6 clubs in Thanh Mien district and Kinh Mon town. This model operates based on the community with the purpose of connecting, promoting the spirit of solidarity, mutual assistance. Through that, helping each other take care of health, improving the quality of life, and promoting the role of the elderly in the community.

In 2017, the Provincial People's Committee decided to replicate the Intergenerational Self-Help Club model for the period 2017-2020. During this period, the whole province mobilized many resources to establish 52 clubs. From 2021 to present, implementing the Prime Minister's decision on replicating the Intergenerational Self-Help Club model for the period 2020-2025, the whole province continued to develop dozens of clubs. As of May this year, Hai Duong has established 113 Intergenerational Self-Help Clubs.

The Intergenerational Self-Help Club model has 8 areas of activity, many of which are related to elderly health care. Mr. Pham Quang San, Deputy Head of the Provincial Elderly Association Representative Board, said that in reality, this is a model that can be implemented in all localities, adapting to the aging process of the population. This club model has rich, practical, and effective content, is a useful playground, helping the elderly improve their health, enhance their quality of life, contribute to socio-economic development, and connect the community.

Hai Duong is actively replicating the above club model. The whole province strives to have 60% of communes, wards and towns have clubs by 2025, and 90% by 2030.

DAWN