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INTERVENTIONS PLANNED FOR 2023/24

Aging is a blessing and a cause for celebration, but at the same time it presents several challenges both for old persons and society at large. It is a well-known fact that as people age, they experience several physiological changes that make them vulnerable to chronic diseases.

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As people age, they become more dependent on society and on friends and relatives. WHO studies revealed that most people above the age of 60 years face age related challenges such as hearing loss, vision problems, mobility difficulties, conditions like disability, dementia, musculoskeletal conditions, and chronic medical illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and osteoporosis. USSSU plans to hold a range of activities to respond to the immediate needs of the seniors to improve their overall well-being.

  1. Nutrition Support : A healthy diet helps to protect against all forms of malnutrition, as well as non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and osteoporosis. Many seniors face a challenge of accessing nutrition in adequate balance or measure due to high poverty (lack finances, lack of access to gardens or inability to manage gardens) and failure in the social support system to enable access. USSSU plans to directly intervene in this aspect by identifying the very vulnerable of the seniors for immediate support through congregate meals and occasional food hampers. This will alleviate some of the health challenges associated with the lack of adequate quality nutrition

  2. Social Support :Social support and connections are important for seniors. Many seniors are isolated and lonely as they lack community and/or family connections. This absence of social connections results in mental health challenges and depression. USSSU’s social programs will allow seniors to congregate for not only medical care and meals but also activities such as games, watching movies, singing and dancing, physical activity, storytelling and economic activities. This will give seniors a sense of belonging and help them build relationships and trust amongst their fellow seniors and the community at large.

  3. Hold Medical Camps : Globally, the most prevalent NCDs include cardiovascular disease, cancer, arthritis, cataract, osteoporosis, diabetes, hypertension and dementia (Alzheimer’s disease). While old persons become weaker and frail with age, the rate at which these two effects progress depends on their lifestyles, environments and access to medical, nutritional, social and psychological attention received. In the absence of appropriate healthcare and rehabilitation, a person may lose their physical abilities and autonomy sooner. USSSU, in collaboration with doctors and health personnel, hosted a two-day medical camp at Bubulo Health Centre IV, in Manafwa district, Uganda on December 13-14th, 2022. The event was open to ALL seniors and focused on providing the free health services including:

  • General medical consultation and diagnosis

  • Screening, diagnosis, and treatment of common NCDs such as hypertension, diabetes Mellitus, prostate cancer and other related NCDs like UTI

  • Laboratory diagnosis of common viral and bacterial infections such as urinary tracts infections (UTIs), upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), and malaria

  • Nutrition and lifestyle counselling

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