​The City of Cape Town’s Health Department will launch health screening services for older persons later this month. The introduction of the service is timely as it coincides with International Day for Older Persons.

In 1990, the United Nations General Assembly designated 1 October the International Day of Older Persons to promote the independence, participation, and dignity of older persons.

To give effect to the aforementioned rights and agenda, in particular the right to health, City Health is introducing older persons health screening services at all of its clinics across the metro. This initiative is aimed at improving access to health services for those aged 65 and older. The service package will include the following:

• Fast-tracking and prioritising older people at all health facilities
• Free annual health screening for TB, HIV, diabetes and hypertension
• Cancer screening at regular intervals as per clinical guidelines
• Facilitation of referrals to other allied health professionals as well as home- and community-based service providers
• Regular visits by health promotion teams to old-age homes
• Regular visits by environmental health staff to old-age homes to check for compliance
• Health education on healthy living, including nutrition
• Encouraging active participation in senior citizens forums

‘Some aspects of the care package are entirely new, like old-age home compliance in terms of the new national norms and standards for environmental health services and cancer screening. Others, like screening for lifestyle diseases, have been available in the past, but as part of the provincial package of services. We are excited about this development because it’s proof of how City Health is further cementing its place as a critical partner in building safer and healthier communities,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security; and Social Services, Alderman JP Smith.

The introduction of the package of services is directly linked to the Social Development Department’s mandate to protect and uplift vulnerable groups. It also aligns with the Organisational Development and Transformation Plan which seeks to make the City more customer-centric by making services more easily accessible to the most vulnerable residents.

‘We will continue working to find innovative ways to improve access and convenience for our older residents, whether from a health or overall social development perspective as these aspects are inextricably linked. While it is important to keep the body healthy, mental and emotional well-being are equally important. That is why information sessions and events focusing on the rights and responsibilities of older persons, awareness about elder abuse, and ensuring access to social services like grants have become part and parcel of our ongoing interventions. We have also refined our home-based care initiative which sees services rendered to hundreds of elderly residents every year through our Expanded Public Works Programme,’ added Alderman Smith.

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