Turn Your Community Turquoise for Senior Citizens

Leading medical insurance providers in SA, Affinity Health join the Turquoise Campaign to support the elderly and pledge its commitment to ensuring senior citizens are taken care of.

Did you know that over 59,62 million senior citizens live in South Africa?

Statistics South Africa confirms that over 8.3% of all senior citizens in South Africa are over the age of 60. Provincial estimates show that Gauteng has the largest population of senior citizens, followed by KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape.

“The good news is that with the rise in medical advances, people are living longer than ever before,” says Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health.

“The percentage of elderly over age 65 has been increasing in the last decade. It will continue to rise due to improved life expectancies. Furthermore, it is expected that by 2050, the number of adults over age 80 worldwide will have triple in numbers. The bad news is that, despite living longer, there is an enormous lack of emphasis on the wellness of older people.”

Senior citizens face several challenges as a vulnerable group with unique and differing needs. Sadly, older people are often seen as soft targets for crime, abuse, exploitation, and neglect.

Why Go Turquoise for the Elderly?

The Turquoise Campaign runs until 15 June, ending on World Elderly Abuse Awareness Day to highlight the need for adequate care for senior citizens.

The purpose of the campaign is two-fold:

1. Firstly, it aims to create more awareness about the elderly in our communities. Emphasis is heightened on those not accommodated by institutions for the elderly, thus being more at risk.
2. Secondly, it gives organisations, homes for the aged, congregations etc. an opportunity to generate funds for the support of the elderly.

Affinity Health encourages all South Africans to show their support by wearing a turquoise ribbon. Share news about the campaign and support senior care facilities by donating essential goods to your nearest senior nursing homes. Such goods can include toiletries, food, clothes, adult nappies, masks, gloves, and sanitisers.

“Affinity Health recognises that the complex challenges the elderly face and, as such, offers senior citizens a range of health care options,” says Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health.

“Senior Citizens are the backbone of our society. Affinity Health understands the importance of ensuring that as a senior, your health and wellbeing are taken care of. This is why we have launched the Affinity Senior Plan.”

As senior citizens age, they have different health needs compared to younger people.  Common age-related diseases and conditions in the elderly include:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Hypertension
• Cancer
• Osteoarthritis
• Dementia
• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Depression

Both age and income constraints can hinder their ability to get appropriate health cover. Given that elderly people are more prone to chronic illnesses and other age-related illnesses, medical care for pensioners can become very expensive. With the high cost of private health services in South Africa, trying to get good quality treatment without medical cover can be very costly.

Affinity Senior Plan provides you with a wide range of benefits tailored for your golden years. Benefits include doctor consultations to any GP of your choice on the Affinity Health network. Other benefits are basic acute medication, hospitalisation for illness and medical emergencies, and much more. The Senior plan also caters to Spouse and Dependants on the same policy.

“Affinity Health is passionate about helping senior citizens get access to affordable and efficient healthcare. We know that medical cover for seniors and pensioners can be quite pricey. Luckily, Affinity Health has some affordable medical cover options that you can customise to suit your health needs,” concludes Hewlett.

Read More:

• Senior Citizens Have Options

• A Guide to Medical Cover for Pensioners

About Affinity Health

Affinity Health aims to provide premier quality, affordable medical insurance to South Africans. We strive to give our clients peace of mind and the highest standard of service when they are faced with injury or illness. We work to deliver innovative solutions that are simple, cost-effective, and proven, so our cover is structured to ensure that you get exactly what you need. For more information, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.