With great interest we have been following the ongoing "fight" of Drs. Raymond Jessurun, a representative of various foundations and organizations that are defending the rights of pensioners and elderly. He is a fierce proponent of equal access to health care within the Kingdom of The Netherlands, increase of the monthly pension (AOV) pay out and he draws attention to the social and medical ills our elderly endure.
On the other hand we have our government (Ministry of Health Care, Social Development and Labour) which is trying to cope with the reality of today: An ever increasing and aging population while the costs of health care continue to rise. The problem, as usual, is money. How much can be spent today while at the same time future care of the elderly is being safe guarded?
We will not go into what we think that government should do for the elderly. However, we do agree with Drs. Jessurun that there is room for improvement in many areas when it comes to the care for our elderly. What we want to emphasize on, is the fact that we all hope to grow of age and that one day we will be considered "the elderly". How do we expect our lives to be when we are on pension? What when we become less mobile? What when we fall ill or our bodies simply refuse to do as we would like?
Sometimes it is not the money that you pay to government and what to expect in return from government. Sometimes it is simply about what to expect from the people around you like family, friends and people in your neighbourhood. So, when you pay your dues to government expecting government to cover certain expenses for you, remember this: When you expect a "pay-out" from your surroundings when you become dependent, make sure that you pay your dues to your surroundings today.
Do some shopping for those of age. Give an elderly person a ride to SZV. Help clean someone's home every now and then. Go to the doctor or pharmacy with your elder. Spend some time on the porch and listen to your elder (you might learn a thing or two). Play a game or do something, anything, to be involved. Why? Because that person that you are doing it for that is you tomorrow. Taking care of our elderly is taking care of ourselves. #sxmmovement.
Soualiga Social Movement
Tell this to the Minister for onderstand for the elderly. You know if you have elderly already in their 70s in your home (related or not to you) and that person is requesting onderstand (elderly). The person, who they have living with or taking care of them have to submit their ID or pa**port, personal income etc. Tax information, your bank Account book or savings account and all of your personal business While you are only helping out the elderly. Mind you, you are not the one requesting the onderstand but the adult elderly, but if the one who is helping out the elderly by giving somewhere to stay as the elderly has nothing to eat or to get by with. You know what that elderly then gets on their request, they are living with others who has more of than the minimum income. So no onderstand from government for that elderly. So it looks better to turn your back on the elderly and let government deal with the elderly alone. Now I understand why persons in the community are reluctant and turn their back on elderly or those in want as government are making them obliged to keep taking of those persons. I have a store and give a elderly that I am not even related to the person, as I came from India to give a space (which is being rented in the back of my business) to the individual to sleep and something to eat.plus all the papers needed from other govermental services (to get onderstand) on a daily basis. Now I have to get all my taxes in order, submit to them how much I earn monthly, how much GEBE i pay etc. Discouragement on my part. It looks now as if I am responsible for that elderly who has no children and never had. It doesn't pay to be the good samatarian now adays. Put the person then in the SXM home which will cost you (government) more than the 250 guilders per month.