Amman, October 1st, 2024
The Phenix Center for Economic and Informatics Studies called for the need to improve the health, economic and social services provided to the elderly in Jordan.
In a press release issued on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, which falls on October 1st of each year, the Phenix Center said that the elderly in Jordan, whether Jordanians or non-Jordanians, suffer from many challenges, such as health and psychological safety, not feeling comfortable with themselves or others, in addition to their inability to cope with the requirements of life.
The Phenix Center pointed out that legislation for the elderly in Jordan still falls short of providing their basic needs, noting that they face a number of health issues, such as poor health services for the elderly, especially for Syrian refugees after the UNHCR's services were curtailed.
In addition, Jordan's main health facilities suffer from overcrowding, lack of proper equipment, and a shortage of medical and nursing staff, which exacerbates health issues among the elderly.
Regarding the mental health of the elderly, the Phenix Center pointed out that although mental health services at the Ministry of Health are provided free of charge, there are many challenges facing psychological treatment in Jordan, such as the lack of health centers that provide psychological services, the lack of specialized psychiatrists, and the small number of health facilities that provide psychological treatment services as there are only three adult psychiatric hospitals in Jordan, all located in the capital, Amman.
The Phenix Center noted that a large percentage of the elderly prefer to stay at home, and they have negative feelings in old age, and these feelings are compounded when they lose their husband or wife, and the sadness resulting from that experience leads to the risk of developing pressure and vascular diseases and depression, which may result in heart attacks and strokes.
The Phenix Center noted that the elderly in Jordan also suffer from economic violence, such as denial of access to funds, and psychological violence, such as verbal abuse, which may exacerbate their health and psychological issues.
Older people in Jordan also face difficulty in adapting to certain aspects of their lives, especially after they retire and leave work, such as reduced income and a diminished role in society.