Elderly widowers in Homa Bay are getting support to live better.
Officials of the Widowers Empowerment Programme say many of the senior citizens are neglected, despite having grown-up children.
Director Samuel Okombo said many widowers remain lonely as their children move on with their lives. The situation predisposes them to diseases resulting from poor hygiene and malnutrition.
“The programme involves sensitising the senior citizens on how to improve their health-seeking behaviour. The work is done by community health volunteers who visit the senior citizens in company of the programme implementers,” Okombo said.
On Thursday, the organisation sensitised some elderly persons in Arujo location, Homa Bay Town constituency. Okombo said they were partnering with the office of Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo to improve the livelihoods of the senior citizens.
Speaking at the chief’s camp, the official said they were also encouraging elderly persons to register with the Social Health Authority.
“We mobilise officials who register the widowers with SHA. We also mobilise community health volunteers who sensitise them on public health issues and screen them for blood pressure,” Okombo said.
The senior citizens were given nail clippers, shavers, vests and t-shirts.
“There are some hygiene issues which people tend to ignore but they have far-reaching consequences. Oral hygiene and cutting of nails are ignored but they can cause serious health problems,” he said.
Arujo location chief Bob Lang’o said the programme will improve the health of the senior citizens.
“Most of the elderly people are
neglected by their children or relatives. They need people who can
support them in any possible way.”
