Why RSSC?

The timely institutionalization of elderly care and welfare services is very much needed in Bhutan before it reaches to the height of unmanageable portion. At all level, older people are not recognized explicitly to realize the rights and need of social welfare. To address elderly problems and welfare services have not reached to the expectations. If not taken care, greater number of people will be affected directly by age discrimination and ageism in the future. Old age is vulnerable to discrimination, poverty, violent and abuse. Older persons are seen as segregated from society, producing a gap that must be bridged, while at the same time recognizing the particular needs and contributions of this group. It demands immediate intervention and reinforcement on our part to create healthier society for all ages, by bridging the gaps of those unreached sections of the society. In particular, those old age senior citizens who are denied of basic needs, and opportunities as such, economic growth, social advancement and for some reason who are least denied even for food, care, shelter in the remotest part of the country.

Older people need adequate support as they age. They should have an access to appropriate health and social services, including the long-term care. The lack of polices to address old age issues is condemning millions of older people to a life of poverty instead of recognizing the active economic and social contributions they can make to their families, communities and society as a whole. The discrimination they experience is often multi-dimensional, based not only on age but other factors, such as gender, ethnic origin, where they live, disability, sexuality or literacy level. Witnessing the plight of our elder people, His Majesty, the patron of the Society envisioned for a timely intervention in responding to the welfare need of elder people around the country. It was through His Majesty’s personal contact with the elder senior citizens in the remotest part of the nation that calls for the establishment of a society. The society prepares to respond the elder problems with multifaceted strategies. The value of ‘inherent worth and dignity’ is the invigorating factor that perpetuates us to fight against all forms of elderly discrimination. We firmly believe in sympathetic action to change the lives of elderly grandparents. It is the time to change our action positively and yet productively.