Effectiveness of community care models
In recent years, the phrase "population aging" is no longer a distant warning but has clearly appeared in social life, penetrating every hamlet, neighborhood, and home.
With the increasing rate of aging population, Tay Ninh is facing many challenges, but also shows continuous efforts to transform challenges into opportunities, constantly strive to improve the quality of care, promote the role of the elderly, a seemingly "disadvantaged" social group but in fact rich in life values, experience and humanity.
As of November 2024, the province's population reached 1,351,231 people, of which 177,822 people were 60 years of age or older, accounting for 13.3%. Compared to the end of 2023, the number of elderly people increased by 11,652 people, an increase of 13.3%. Of which, there were 30,868 people aged 80 years or older and 18,274 elderly people were ethnic minorities. The rapid change in population structure is putting great pressure on the social service system.
In addition to medical care, the elderly need support in their spiritual life, social relationships and opportunities to participate in the community. In recent times, Tay Ninh has implemented many practical models to improve the quality of life for the elderly, especially at the grassroots level.
In Thanh Phuoc commune, Go Dau district, Mr. Vo Van Tu (73 years old) regularly participates in activities at the Intergenerational Self-Help Club in Tram Vang 3 hamlet. He shared: “Before, I stayed at home all the time and rarely talked to anyone. Since joining the club, I feel less sad, sleep well, and eat more regularly.
Sometimes when volunteers come to visit me to ask about my health, I feel cared for and remembered.” Mr. Tu’s story vividly reflects the effectiveness of elderly care models at the grassroots level, where social and health policies are being adjusted to adapt to the increasing rate of population aging.
Tay Ninh is a locality with distinct religious culture, with more than 70% of the population following a religion, of which Cao Dai followers account for nearly 50%. In the spiritual life of the elderly, religious activities not only have spiritual significance but are also an effective "health-preserving" dose.
Ms. Phan Thi Thu Ha (68 years old), a Cao Dai follower in Hiep Thanh neighborhood, Hiep Ninh ward, Tay Ninh city shared: "Since my retirement, I have been going to the pagoda regularly and meeting sisters I have known for a long time.
At home I feel bored, but when I go to the temple I have someone to talk to, sometimes we clean and cook vegetarian food together. I feel happier, my mind is clear, I sleep well, and I eat well. Seeing me happy and healthy makes the kids feel at ease.
Since 2021, Tay Ninh province has implemented the Elderly Health Care Program for the period 2021-2025 with a synchronous approach, clear orientation and increasingly strengthened resources. To date, the province has 254 intergenerational self-help clubs and 65 Elderly Health Care Clubs, attracting over 70,000 participants. Through regular meetings, the elderly are equipped with knowledge of health care, chronic disease prevention and support each other in daily life.
The effectiveness of community care models does not only stop at raising awareness but also directly improves the physical and mental health of the elderly. Ms. Vo Thi Lanh (72 years old), residing in Long Thoi quarter, Long Thanh Bac ward, Hoa Thanh town, who used to have diabetes, shared: “Before, I ate irregularly and was sick all the time. Thanks to joining the club, being guided on a suitable diet and proper exercise, I feel healthier. My blood sugar is stable and my spirit is also excited.”
Mr. Tran Quoc Phong, 65 years old, Cam Long hamlet, Cam Giang commune, Go Dau district, who had a heart attack, said: “I had a serious heart disease, at times I thought I would not survive. But thanks to the Health Station closely monitoring me, giving me timely medicine, and giving me careful instructions, my condition improved. Now I still go to the market, exercise, and help with housework. I am truly grateful to the departments, agencies, and organizations, especially the staff of the Health Station.”
Join hands for social security policy
A notable highlight of the program is the network of volunteers providing health care for the elderly, which has been established and maintained in most communes, wards and towns. The commune-level volunteer team includes the Head of the Health Station as Team Leader, a population officer and a representative of the Elderly Association as Deputy Team Leader. Members are population-health collaborators, members of the Elderly Association and representatives of a number of departments and branches, with each hamlet or neighborhood having 3-5 people. Over the past 5 years, this team has provided 10,228 times of home health care for the elderly. They quietly contribute every day with simple but meaningful tasks such as measuring blood pressure, supporting daily activities, chatting, and encouraging the spirit, etc.
Ms. Vu Thi Hoa, a volunteer at Tan Dong 1 Hamlet, Tan Lap Commune, Tan Bien District, said: “Every time I visit the elderly, I help clean, cook, and then sit and chat. Some elderly people live alone, just needing someone to listen to them talk makes them happy. Seeing them smile and move around better, I feel my work is meaningful. There is no salary, but my heart is very light.”
However, currently only 9.15% of communes, wards and towns have both health care clubs and volunteer teams, showing uneven resource allocation, especially at the grassroots level.
During the 2021-2025 period, Tay Ninh province organized more than 402,000 consultations and periodic health check-ups for the elderly. However, the rate of elderly people receiving health check-ups at least once a year was only 60.42%, still lower than the set target of 70%. The establishment of personal health management records for the elderly only reached 27.78%, significantly affecting the effectiveness of long-term health management, especially in the context of increasingly evident population aging.
Despite many difficulties, Tay Ninh still achieved positive results. The rate of elderly people detected, treated and managed for non-communicable diseases reached 71.23%, exceeding the program's target. More than 514,000 medical examinations and treatments were performed using a combination of modern and traditional medicine, a solution suitable for the specific health care needs of the elderly. In addition, nearly 250,000 people were given free medicine, medical examinations and gifts, contributing to reducing the financial burden for the elderly.
The understanding of the elderly or their relatives about population aging and the right to health care has been increasingly improved, reaching 75.32%, exceeding the target of 70% as planned. The model of intergenerational self-help clubs and health care clubs for the elderly has been widely deployed, with 254/288 clubs having health care content, reaching 88.19%, exceeding the target of 80%.
In particular, 61/94 communes, wards and towns (equivalent to 64.89%) met the criteria of "Elderly-friendly environment", far exceeding the target of 20%, showing effective coordination between sectors and levels in improving living conditions for the elderly.
The total budget for implementing the program for the 2021-2025 period is VND 67.5 billion, of which nearly 60% is from socialized sources. This is a testament to the strong cooperation of the government, the business community and social organizations, ensuring the sustainability of social security policies.
However, the elderly care system still has many gaps. The province does not have a model of a Daytime Health Care Center for the Elderly at the district level; there are currently 5 social assistance facilities with the function of caring for the elderly. The rate of lonely and seriously ill elderly people who are examined and treated at their place of residence is only 33.98%.
Another challenge is that the rate of elderly people with social insurance is still low, making them vulnerable to economic and health shocks. In response to this reality, the Provincial People's Committee has proposed that the Ministry of Health add periodic health check-ups to the health insurance payment list, a practical proposal to realize a comprehensive and long-term disease prevention strategy.
After 5 years of implementation, the Tay Ninh Province Elderly Health Care Program has achieved and exceeded 8/13 targets. However, the greatest achievement is not in the numbers, but in the change in perspective: from “care” to “empowerment”, from “support” to “creating opportunities”, from “payment” to “long-term investment”.
In modern society, old age should not be seen as a burden, but should be respected as a resource, old in age but never “old” in the ability to contribute and inspire. June 6, Vietnam Elderly Day, is an occasion to express gratitude and affirm that: every small action for the elderly today is an investment in a humane, responsible and sustainable society in the future.
Perfume River
Source: https://baotayninh.vn/nhieu-mo-hinh-thiet-thuc-nang-cao-chat-luong-song-cho-nguoi-cao-tuoi-a190939.html
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