Guidelines for Medical and Health Protection of Older People in Africa

To cope with the aging of the population on the horizon in Africa and in particular in Senegal, it is important to set up geronto-geriatric policies adapted to our socio-economic and health context. Thus, in the field of health, the medical and health protection of the elderly, should have a double requirement which consists on the one hand, to prevent the loss of autonomy and on the other hand, in case of illness, even minor, to early diagnosis and appropriate treatment before cascading lesions occur. The main principles or guidelines for a geriatric strategy in Senegal in particular and in Africa in general could be articulated around a policy of home care; the integration of geronto-geriatrics with primary health care, specialized consultation, psychomotor rehabilitation, traditional medico-surgical hospitalization and housing for the elderly. However, any medical and health action in favor of the elderly must first give priority to prevention without neglecting the curative aspect. Thus, this action to be effective should focus on maintaining the home and the family of the elderly, through an urbanization policy that should make possible the cohabitation of ages. On the other hand, the creation of services exclusively reserved for the elderly should for the moment be excluded, since it is culturally inappropriate and economically difficult to implement. It should be emphasized that this medical and health protection for the elderly will require the provision of additional financial resources. However, the organization that will have to cover the cost of this care has yet to be defined.