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Different issues related to the wellbeing of the elderly citizens would be added to the reforms agenda, Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud disclosed on Sunday.
"If policies are required (for the wellbeing of the senior citizens), some of them can be prepared within a short period," said Mr Mahmud.
He added that implementation of all the rules and regulations did not require a huge volume of money.
The adviser made the remarks while addressing a discussion and Doa Mahfil seeking salvation of the souls of recently deceased elderly people, held on Sunday at a conference centre in the city's Sobhanbag area.
Bangladesh Senior Citizens Welfare Society hosted the event marking International Day for Older Persons on October 1.
Chairman of the Society and former adviser to a caretaker government, Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, presided over the function.
In his speech, the Planning Adviser also said the issues of the elderly citizens is gradually becoming important as the number of them are increasing in the country on the back of better treatment and economic facilities.
He said the interim government does not have much time in its hand before holding an election.
"It will not be possible to increase allowance. However, some of the initiatives could kick off," he said, adding that senior citizens should get priorities and amenities in public places like hospitals, offices, banks and public transport.
Many senior citizens suffer from loneliness, he said and added that there are multifaceted problems the old people face.
"It varies class to class as the poor face economic crisis while the rich ones face other kinds of problem like loneliness," he said.
Regarding the unavailability of required facilities for them, he said Dhaka city has become completely unsuitable for the elderly. Due to the poor condition of the roads, traffic jams and encroachment on the sidewalks, the elderly are gradually becoming housebound.
"Such an unfriendly city for elderly people is rare," he said, adding that they need vitamin D, but can't access to sunlight.
Sharing his personal experience of cardiac treatment, he said wellbeing largely depends on mental peace.
"Making other people happy is the greatest source of personal happiness," he said.
In his speech, Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman said establishing a society friendly to old people is important.
He also said a set of recommendations to be implemented in short term would be prepared through a meeting in association with different platforms working on the old people's wellbeing and sent to the planning commission.
Care giving and trade of devices related to elder people's movement could be important economic sector, said Mr Rahman, who is also an economist.
Underscoring the need for individuals' healthy aging, he said addressing loneliness is vital. "Loneliness is an emerging silent epidemic," said Mr Rahman.
Dr. Golam Shawkat Hossain delivered the keynote address at the meeting while Group CEO of Daffodil Family Dr. Mohammad Nuruzzaman spoke as a special guest.
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