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New Saudi Law Protects the Elderly

  • Publish date: Tuesday، 18 January 2022 Last update: Monday، 24 January 2022
New Saudi Law Protects the Elderly

The Saudi Cabinet approved a new law to protect the rights of elderly citizens in the Kingdom earlier this month. The law grants the elderly special privileges and preserves their social, financial, and legal rights.

Including the right to choose to live with their families, and that sheltering in care homes depends on the situation of the elderly and what serves the public interest.

Saad Al-Hammad, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, said: “The new law strengthens the position of the elderly in society and is based on our customs and traditions, by giving the elderly priority in services and waiting areas and investing their skills in a variety of fields.”

New Saudi Law Protects the Elderly

“National centers are part of the transformation work in the elderly services, with the goal of achieving well-being and social integration for them, improving their status, and assisting families in providing care services for those who need them,” Al-Hammad explained.

According to Article 8 of the law, if a provider is unable to support the elderly financially, and no one in the elderly’s family can support them either, the ministry shall support them financially, according to what is specified by the regulation.

The ministry must rehabilitate public and commercial facilities, residential neighborhoods, the surrounding environment, and mosques to ensure they are suitable for the needs of the elderly. They must also allocate places for the elderly in public facilities and at public events and urge the private sector, business owners, and civil bodies to care for them.

Government agencies should prioritize the elderly seeking basic services, particularly health and social services.