Prepared by Joe Munyakwe- POWER OF TOUCH (POT) Member
October 2023The following issues below have been noted as the most pressing needs of the aged, regardless of the economic status of the individual. However, the prioritization of the needs varies according to the individual. These are:
1 Health
2 Diseases
3 Recreation
4 Shelter
5 Legal Advice
6 Heirs to their property.

HEALTH
The focus is on psychological /mental health, to promote clear judgment by the individual, family and community. This promotes:
The ability to maintain psychological health through reading current rules and laws.
Interest at attending meetings such as churches, community development organizations which cater for the wellbeing welfare of the community.
Organizations which deal with children, the aged, physical, and mental handicapped as well as poverty-stricken homes/families.
Interest at communicating with people of all ages, spearheading the conversation issues such as on health, marriage, welfare (early marriages causes of divorce, drug abuse, self-help projects, recreation, diseases-causes and prevention, medication, and cure), shelter, food, assets moveable and non-moveable, effects of technology advantages and disadvantages. This enables the aged to understand and appreciate the dynamic changing of lifestyles of the present era.

BALANCED DIET
This area of discussion may fall under the heading Health. However, it can be discussed on its own. A balanced diet is the basis of a healthy body. Meals should be available at the appropriate time, taken in appropriate amounts which warrant them to be termed a balanced diet, taken when one is worry free, in a clean and smart environment, served in appropriate utensils while sitting comfortably. Also prior to serving a meal to the aged it is important to reserve discussing burning issues especially those involving the immediate family, relatives, or the predicament of the aged. It is proper to talk about stories which are of interest to that older person such as activities during the various seasons, meetings she or he attended and enjoyed, just to mention a few. The meal should be warm.
It is also important to provide fruits to the aged. Like all other age groups, some are physically healthy, some suffer from chronic diseases. It is crucial for the aged to have breakfast after bathing. Some families prefer the aged to have a light breakfast before bathing. I leave this to the dieticians. Balanced diet amounts are also governed by the physical state of the aged.
Foods which cause over-weight or loss of weight should be avoided such as too much salt, sugar, and fats oils. Well-cooked or food preferred by the aged should be served. It is a cultured habit to practise and observe the quality of cooking preferred by the aged provided it is not detrimental to their health. Usually, boiling food is preferred to frying and roasting. When cooking certain carbohydrates –especially dried beans (mutakura), proteins, loss of nutrients should be avoided. Spices should be used with care.

DISEASES
All the aged suffer from a disease or physical discomfort of some sort. The main challenges faced by the aged are lack of proper medical care and facilities when required. Medical care calls for the aged to access prescriptions relevant to their ailment. Usually, they seek medical attention when the ailment is beyond medical care or assistance through drugs and hospitals which have life sustaining equipment and drugs. Some older persons do not take prescriptions voluntarily. They need persuasion while others are not able to obtain drugs due to the cost which is beyond their financial means. Not all the aged are on medical schemes/aid. Some medical schemes do not cover the cost of prescriptions adequately. Prevention and cure then become a burden to some of the aged.
We thank organizations, medical practitioners and individuals assisting the aged voluntarily to access the recommended prescriptions on time. Some pharmacies offer discounts to the aged. Some doctors perform operations free of charge, for example eye operations on cataracts. The number of the aged is increasing, notably within the 60 and 70 age group. This to a great extent is attributed to the assistance mentioned above. We thank them. May God bless.

RECREATION
The availability of recreational facilities needs attention and emphasis. Recreation can be defined as any activity, such as play, that amuses, diverts, or stimulate. That is leisure. Recreation loosens psychological tensions to a greater extent. It assists the mental abilities and capabilities to access, manage, understand, and emulate amusements done by others as well as by oneself. It provides a feeling of joy and appreciation of the environment. It enables one to be physically involved in building and enjoying the environment and resources with ease and satisfaction. Recreational activities are available at home and are indoor and or outdoor activities. Indoor activities may include simple exercises, singing, (or humming), storytelling, sharing interesting news, watching TV, listening to interesting radio programmes. Some of the aged are gifted at making colourful and amazing crafts. Some of these products have been displayed at local markets and at international trade fairs. Doing errands or mere walking in the house, observing, and assisting the young to make their beds, promoting cleanliness in their rooms and in the house without annoying them, are all forms of recreation.

SHELTER
A number of the aged people have no shelter, that is, structures approved by the local authority. There is need to construct basic rooms for the aged with extensions being an option. The extension could be achieved at a low cost.

LEGAL ADVICE
Most of the aged lack legal advice, protection, and representation in accordance with the laws of today.
-legal representation on residential property issues related to dispossession of stands among mostly widows, orphans and the aged.

HEIRS TO THE PROPERTY OF THE AGED
Most aged people face challenges upon disposal of their assets when still alive and when writing their wills. In most cases the property is abused by their children, siblings, and relatives, even friends. In some instances, the property is sold without their consent or while they do not fully understand the end result.

THE NEEDS OF THE AGED
1-All aged people need grocery vouchers monthly or periodically.
2-Approximately 95% of the aged people need a borehole and tank to sustain and promote their projects such as horticulture, brick moulding and water for sale.
3-At least 95% need assistance at procuring medicines from pharmacies.
4-All aged people need discounts when purchasing some medicines, agro-chemicals and when paying rates and rents.
5-All the aged need assistance, depending on the area of specialisation, at procuring equipment for projects such as sewing, tailoring, knitting, baking, frying chips, catering, refrigeration, welding and making fibreglass.
6-All the aged need licenses to establish and operate kiosks, flea markets, tuck shops at their premises without turning the residential premise into a commercial premise.
7-More than 95% need adequate social welfare, cash to cover errands such as attending church services, funerals, weddings, and any other social gathering or meeting, which needs the use of public transport to travel.
8-All aged people may need recreational facilities such as libraries, cinema halls, cafes, and restaurants where they are given first preference.
9-Over 90% are calling for free hospitalization at government hospitals and clinics, preferably with discounts to lighten their plight.
10- (a) Approximately 70% are seeking residential stands. Some of the aged may be able to buy them at low cost.
(b)Some of the aged, around 90%, are seeking plots to establish and operate projects on a small or medium scale.
(c) Approximately 99% are seeking commercial stands to establish and operate their entrepreneurship capabilities such as refrigeration, welding, fibreglass making at a low cost.
(d) The provision of licenses to operate at their premises, if the project could be accommodated at the premises, would be a blessing to them so they can operate legally.
(e) About 90% of the older persons need to be assisted to access ZESA electricity at a low cost. This would go a long way in reducing the plight of the aged.
11-Around 80% are seeking legal advice, protection, and representation against land barons.