Latest news with #GlobalNetworkforAge-FriendlyCities
Sharjah 24
03-07-2025
- Health
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah trains hotel staff to better serve the elderly
The workshops are organised by the Social Education Department and the Sharjah Age-Friendly City Programme, affiliated with the Office of Age-Friendly Quality and Health Services. Sessions are being held in both Arabic and English to maximise impact. According to Asmaa Al Khodari, Director of the Office of Age-Friendly Quality and Health Services, the initiative is part of ongoing efforts that support Sharjah's membership in the World Health Organisation's Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities, reinforcing its position as an age-inclusive city. The aim is to raise awareness and preparedness among hospitality staff to offer high-quality, considerate service to elderly guests. This aligns with Sharjah's broader vision of building an inclusive, people-centric environment that improves quality of life and encourages elderly visitors to explore the emirate's diverse tourism offerings. Human values in hospitality Na'ema Al Zarouni, Director of the Social Education Department, emphasised that caring for the elderly is one of the noblest human and moral acts. She added that what makes the experience more positive is understanding how best to interact with older individuals and seeking the most appropriate ways to support them. Helping others, she noted, is one of the key sources of inner happiness and contentment. She explained that while her department has regularly conducted elderly care workshops, this is the first time sessions are targeted specifically at hotel employees. This move aims to encourage senior citizens to use hotel facilities with comfort and confidence. The workshops, offered in both Arabic and English, include interactive exercises and competitions designed to deepen participants' awareness and understanding. Key skills and attitudes One of the most important messages conveyed is the need for hotel staff to be aware of the specific needs of elderly guests and to approach them differently from other patrons. Staff should embody values such as compassion, kindness, empathy, patience, and tolerance — similar to how one would communicate with a child. It is essential to simplify information when speaking with seniors and to inform them clearly of potential risks to enhance their safety. Establishing a relationship of trust is also vital, so that elderly guests feel secure and well cared for — which ultimately improves their overall hotel experience and reflects the quality of service provided. Respect and appreciation for seniors Al Zarouni noted that ageing is a natural and inevitable part of life, through which people accumulate experience and wisdom. Respect and appreciation must form the basis of any interaction with the elderly, although many tend to overlook important aspects that could improve communication. She stressed that helping others benefits not only the recipients but also those who provide the support — spiritually, ethically, and socially. Al Zarouni affirmed that elderly people deserve honour and respect, as they hold a distinguished place in society. Islam has paid special attention to the care of older adults, considering their service and well-being as acts of goodness and blessing. She praised the UAE's efforts in this area, highlighting its strong legislative framework, including the Elderly Rights Law, which aims to protect their rights and ensure a dignified life for them as a cornerstone of the nation's social, cultural, and religious fabric.
Sharjah 24
27-06-2025
- Health
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah Guides Kuwait's Age-Friendly City Journey
The workshop reviewed the Emirate of Sharjah's experience in the field of age-friendly cities. The workshop supported Kuwait's efforts to join UNESCO's Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities, which Sharjah became the first Arab city to join in 2017. Enhancing Arab cooperation The initiative comes within SSSD commitment to spreading the culture of age-friendly cities and sharing its expertise with relevant regional and international bodies. The department was keen to organise this training meeting to enhance Arab cooperation and provide the necessary technical and knowledge support to enable sister countries to adopt international standards in elderly care. Asmaa Al-Khudari, Director of the Office of Age-Friendly Quality and Health Services at the department, explained that the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health has shown great interest in joining the network, based on its significant efforts to serve the elderly through various projects and programmes. Sharing Sharjah's pioneering experience The ministry is currently seeking to unify these efforts within a comprehensive framework that takes into account the requirements of the international network. Al-Khudari added that the meeting is the second of its kind to be organised at the official request of the ministry. It aims to help them implement the age-friendly city standards and share Sharjah's pioneering experience in this field. Al-Khudari confirmed that SSSD always welcomes providing technical and advisory support to any entity seeking to create a better environment for the elderly. Enhancing knowledge and exchanging experiences Al-Khudari indicated that organising such workshops is part of the department's strategy to enhance knowledge and exchange experiences, and to consolidate Sharjah's role as a knowledge centre and source of inspiration for Arab cities seeking to improve services for the elderly. Al-Khudari said she hopes to see soon see the State of Kuwait on the list of the global network member cities, alongside other Arab countries that embrace this shared humanitarian vision. The workshop was attended by a number of officials from the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health, including Dr. Fatima Bin Dhafari, Director of the Department of Health Services for the Elderly, and Dr. Amal Al Yahya, Director of the Healthy Cities Office. A number of coordinators from government and private institutions involved in serving the elderly also attended, along with a distinguished group of elderly Kuwaitis. This reflects the ministry's commitment to listening to their feedback and taking it into consideration when developing future policies and programmes.
