ABU DHABI - The United Arab Emirates continues to strengthen its support for senior citizens, guaranteeing them a dignified life while leveraging their valuable experience for sustainable development
A significant addition to these efforts is the “Barakatna” initiative, launched Tuesday by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Overseen by the Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the Family Development Foundation and other relevant social sector entities, the initiative seeks to improve the efficiency of home care provided to senior citizens in a suitable family setting and aims to ensure a stable, healthy and fulfilling life for senior citizens within their families.
The initiative holds significant importance in reinforcing family bonds. It will develop an integrated system of community services designed to ease everyday life, and empower individuals to effectively care for their elderly relatives by supporting family members in balancing personal, professional, and social responsibilities.
This focus on senior citizens stems from the deeply rooted humanitarian and cultural values of Emirati society. According to the World Happiness Report 2024, senior citizens are the happiest demographic in the UAE.
Since the UAE's establishment in 1971, the well-being and role of senior citizens in public life have steadily grown, highlighting the UAE's humanitarian, cultural, and civilisational values under continuous leadership support.
The UAE government adopted Federal Law No. 9 of 2019 concerning the Rights of Senior Citizens, defining senior citizens as any UAE national aged 60 and above. The law guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms, access to information and services, and psychological, social, and health stability.
It ensures their right to independence and privacy (including decisions about property and residence), protection from abuse and neglect, accessible environments, housing, education, work, social services via dedicated centres and mobile units, and comprehensive healthcare, among other benefits.
The UAE also launched the National Policy for Senior Emiratis, adopting the term "Senior Citizens" instead of "Elderly" to acknowledge their experience and contributions.
It includes seven main components: healthcare, community involvement and active life, effective civic participation, infrastructure and transportation, financial stability, safety and security, and quality of future life.
Senior citizens in the UAE benefit from comprehensive healthcare. The Ministry of Health and Prevention has launched numerous initiatives to support their healthcare needs, including establishing a database to monitor their life expectancy and expanding healthcare programmes.
The Emirates Health Services Corporation provides mobile clinics offering treatment and consultations.
Senior citizens receive priority service and transaction processing in official entities. They benefit from dedicated parking and accessible public transportation, with ongoing additions of preferential services by relevant authorities.
The Ministry of Community Development will implement measures to enhance services, focusing on electronic services, comprehensive healthcare, community participation, and data updates. A dedicated senior citizens' helpline will be launched for remote data updates.
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