Senior Citizen’s Card,what’s that?

It was a busy day not so long ago, when I met the president John Thamber and committee members of the NGO Forum on Ageing, at a meeting in Colombo South. Venetia Gamage, past President, and co-ordinator of this project, had arranged with an officer from the Elders Secretariat, Ms. G. Karunaratne, to issue the vital Senior Citizens Card to persons who were eligible. The Forum has performed this service on previous occasions, at various centres in Colombo, recognizing the fact that Sri Lanka is one of the fastest ageing countries. This was the reason why the NFOA was launched in 1999, the Year of The Older Person. At the meeting, over 200 persons were waiting to be issued with a Senior Citizen’s Card.

It was an important day for the elderly. They were looking forward to possessing this card, and relieved, that at last the authorities had decided to recognize their hopeless situation. How many others, over the age of 65 years, are aware that they are entitled to a senior citizen’s card and its facilities, we wondered?

I decided to question an elderly woman at a shopping mall on the subject. When I asked her, “Have you heard of the Senior Citizen’s Card”, with a look of surprise, she replied, “What card and where and who issues it.” Obviously, this information had not reached the elderly in her neighbourhood. I filled her in briefly.

The same day, I met a retired teacher, who was already in possession of this card. To my question, “Has this card helped you in any way”, her reply was curt. “Pretty little! Most pharmacies, banks, hospitals, clinics and similar establishments, are clueless about the card and its benefits. So, what is the point in having this card?”

There is a severe lack of awareness by Government authorities, on what should be the purpose of and the facilities afforded by the senior citizen’s card. To whom should it be issued? What benefit would the elderly receive? The private sector is also guilty! Very few offer this information to their staff. So, in the end, it is the voluntary, social and welfare organizations, which take up causes such as this. They try, in a small way to reach the elderly, performing this service free of charge, and, with little or no funding, to back them!

How should an elder set about obtaining a card? Perhaps, the appropriate Government authorities at the Elders Secretariat could circulate this information through associations, clubs, offices, supermarkets, banks, media, etc., alerting persons reaching the age of retirement about the procedure to obtain this card. Correct and useful information should be attached with the card.

The public must be made aware of the benefits the elderly could count on, when the card is produced. A well-known Government organization offers a discount to the elderly, on medicines purchased. The National Identity Card is required. Surely, a Senior Citizen’s Card could also identify an elder? All Government and private establishments could make it known that the elderly are offered discounts on purchases and services.

Derana Television, which was present at the meeting, in their Sinhala programme, inquired from some present, about their aspirations and hopes, once they were issued with this card. They said, “Any help would be great! Our needs are little, our purses empty, but our hopes are high!” Actually, much more can be offered by the card and what is offered must be stated in it with greater clarity.

Would you wish to join the Forum on Ageing, as a volunteer member? A contributor? A well-wisher? To help this worthwhile cause? Please contact Chandrika Fonseka, Secretary, Tel. No. 2584315 or Estelle Joachim Tel. No. 2581315. You can be assured, that any free time you give the Forum, would be time well spent.

By An interested elder, Colombo