MBABANE – The Mbabane Alliance Church officially launched its Elderly Fellowship at Selection Park, Sandla, with experts addressing key challenges affecting senior citizens, including mental health and dietary concerns. The event brought together religious leaders, health professionals, and community members, emphasizing the need for structured support systems for the elderly.
During the launch, Sindiso Bhembe outlined major challenges experienced by the elderly, focusing on family dynamics, physical health concerns, and mental health struggles. He explained that many senior citizens faced role reversals, where adult children became their caregivers, leading to intergenerational conflicts and financial dependence. He added that the loss of a spouse or close friends often resulted in isolation and emotional distress.
Bhembe also discussed physical health concerns, noting that chronic illnesses such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease were common. He pointed out that mobility issues, sensory decline (including hearing and vision impairment), and medication side effects further complicated their well-being.
On the issue of mental health, he stated that depression and anxiety were prevalent among the elderly, often triggered by social isolation, grief, and declining health. He noted that cognitive decline, including dementia, was a growing concern and emphasized the importance of mental health awareness and professional support.
Dietitian Thandi Kunene-Mazibuko addressed the dietary needs of the elderly, stressing that excess sugar consumption was a leading cause of diabetes. She reportedly stated that while many people assumed 100% fruit juice was a healthy choice, it actually contained high sugar levels similar to alcohol, making it a risk factor for diabetes.
Kunene-Mazibuko further explained that starchy foods and excessive fruit intake also contributed to high sugar levels, whereas meat and vegetables had significantly less sugar. She advised the elderly to adjust their diet by increasing their intake of meat and reducing their consumption of fruit juices, starch, and sugary foods. She emphasized that making these dietary changes could improve overall health and help manage chronic illnesses.
Philani Maswati Charity Organisation Chairperson Lutfo Dlamini, who was the final speaker, commended the church for launching the Elderly Fellowship, describing aging as a blessing. He noted that the initiative would help ease the burden on organizations like Philani Maswati, which had been actively involved in supporting the elderly.
Dlamini also addressed marriage and family relationships, urging couples to practice tolerance, love, and understanding to maintain stable households. He expressed concern over the rising cases of domestic violence and divorce, encouraging families to embrace peaceful conflict resolution and provide a nurturing environment for all generations.
The event concluded with a call for greater community involvement in supporting the elderly. Church leaders reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining the Elderly Fellowship by organizing regular gatherings, health workshops, and faith-based programs to ensure senior citizens remained engaged, valued, and supported within the church and broader society.