The Dubai Health Authority's (DHA) primary healthcare sector is carrying out a series of activities during the month of October to mark International day for the Elderly.
As part of the activities, the DHA held yesterday a twitter clinic #smart_clinic to disseminate information about this campaign and to raise awareness about elderly care.
Also, the elderly care unit at the DHA's primary healthcare sector has organised a week-long campaign will take place across Jumeirah and Al Hamriya area to educate people about elderly health.
The campaign will kick off on the 12th October and will include free screening that will take place at the DHA's new mobile laboratory, which is a state-of-the-art bus that has facilities to conduct several health tests.
People above the age of 60 will be provided with free bone density test to screen for osteoporosis, in addition, the team will also check blood pressure, BMI, blood sugar, kidney function, liver function and cholesterol.
The elderly care unit will also continue its Reaya (care) initiative which was launched this year on Ramadan 19 to mark Zayed Humanitarian Day, which is a day held to honour the memory of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late president of the U.A.E..
As part of the Reaya initiative, the elderly care unit visits elderly patients registered under the home-care programme, assesses their social, environmental and medical needs, and the cost is undertaken by the DHA's Moussadah( help) program.
The programme also provides medical equipment such as wheelchairs, medical beds, mattresses etc.
"Approximately 300 patients are registered under the home care programme. As part of the Reaya initiative, geriatricians visit the homes of these patients and access all their needs so that we can create a safe, positive environment for them as well as cater to their medical needs. Elderly patients need holistic care, only medical care is not sufficient and through this program our aim is to provide 360 degrees, comprehensive care," said Dr Soha Abdelaziz, geriatrician at the DHA's primary care sector.