The ban on the presence of persons over 63 years of age outside their home without strict necessity, which was imposed by the National Extraordinary Public Health Commission, should be lifted and replaced with a simple recommendtion. This suggestion was made by the Platform for Active Aging, which accuse the decision of being discriminatory based on age.
The platform analyzed the measures taken by the authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of the impact on the elderly. During a press conference, Cristina Răilean, Platform secretary, recommended to the authorities to distribute protective products and equipment to the elderly. Equipment costs should be covered by government reserve funds, given the low income of the elderly, who cannot afford them.
"Our recommendation is that a package of support measures for the elderly should be initiated, so that they can maintain their independence and dignity", said Cristina Răilean. The Active Aging Platform calls for the approval of guidelines for family physicians and other health care workers, which aim to provide support to the elderly in exercising at home.
According to the platform, social services should be extended in order to cover the needs of all the elderly, in addition to the group assessed as vulnerable, within the social assistance system. The members of the Platform for Active Aging consider that tools that ensure the participation of older people in decision-making processes are needed.
The Platform for Active Aging is an alliance of public associations, which includes 18 member organizations. The platform is an independent and apolitical entity that aims to integrate active aging into public policies and to advocate for the rights of the elderly. A recent research, conducted by the Platform, shows that, during the pandemic period, the elderly from Moldova face social isolation and have limited access to medical treatment. Some of them did not leave the house for three to four month periods. In the long run, social isolation and lack of social contact could have serious consequences on the physical and mental health of the elderly population, warn the Platform's representatives.
