Queen discusses national strategy for elderly with stakeholders

AMMAN — Her Majesty Queen Rania met on Tuesday with the taskforce overseeing the National Strategy for the Elderly during a visit to the Home of the Human Care in Fuheis, northwest Amman.

The home was inaugurated by Queen Rania in 1999 and is run by the Franciscan Sisters of the Cross Congregation of Lebanon.

During the meeting, Her Majesty listened to a briefing by Secretary General of National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA) Fadel Hmoud on the council’s efforts to implement the national strategy, which is based on Jordanian traditions and religious values of respect and compassion with the elderly and solidarity between generations, according to a statement from Queen Rania’s office 

Hmoud said that the strategy on the elderly, which was drafted in 2008, set the benchmarks for the endeavours that followed, including a study that evaluated the elderly’s situation in Jordan, between the years 2009 and 2013, which NCFA conducted in collaboration with the UNFPA.

He also noted that the strategy’s task force comprises representatives of 25 governmental bodies and civil society institutions, explaining that such diversity helps stakeholders benefit from the pool of expertise and experiences available, and strengthens the participatory approach to action and policy implementation.

During the meeting, the Queen and the attendees addressed the way forward regarding the strategy, along with gaps and shortcomings in the plan.

Her Majesty thanked members of the task force for their efforts and urged them to dedicate their efforts in the next phase to changing the public’s perception of the elderly, stressing that senior citizens are members of society who have extensive life experiences and their contributions remain vital to society. “Not benefiting from their experiences and wisdom is a big loss,” she noted.

Upon her arrival, Queen Rania was greeted by Sister Janet Abu Abdallah, president of Sisters of the Cross, and other officials in charge of the home.

Her Majesty toured the home, which consists of three floors and more than 60 rooms.She checked on one of the residents, a 96-year-old woman. She also thanked the team running the home and commended the quality of services and care provided.