Prolonged lives provide possibilities for elderly persons and their families, as well as for society as a whole. Extra years allow you to explore new interests such as higher education, a different job, or a long-neglected hobby. Older individuals contribute to their families and communities in a variety of ways. However, the scope of these possibilities and contributions is largely determined by one factor: health. This is why it is important for seniors to have access to health services in the long run.

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However, it saddens us to know that the minorities of seniors suffer due to inaccessible health services. This is because they do not receive the same treatment as the rest of the population. They are shadowed and left behind because out-of-pocket expenses are their greatest financial burden. Besides, they also do not have a regular doctor to maintain their check ups, they are busy taking care of others (e.g., “caring for a spouse or grandchildren”), being in a rural area it is difficult to find transportation into the city, worry about the cost of bills, work responsibilities push them to neglect their health, fear that doctors will perform tests that they don’t need and increase the bill, fear that doctors will discover a serious illness that is incurable which may affect their livelihoods and doctors that are not responsive to their concerns.

Hence, if this prolongs, it can lead to severe effects on the minorities of seniors:

1. Increase in mortality and disability
2. Fewer preventive measures
3. Loss of livelihood

Therefore, to overcome these health issues, senior minorities should have the same rights as the entire population towards a proper health service. Besides that, we must address issues such as getriatic health, mortality, malnutrition, and noncommunicable illnesses, all of which may be addressed through high-quality, low-cost health care provided under universal health coverage. Seniors must be given the services they need to take care of their own health. For example, free geriatirc screenings and monthly check ups with a specified doctor.

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To wrap it up, in our communities, seniors play a critical role. They are in charge of maintaining household activities, guiding the family members, providing counselling, providing security, socialization, mediating and providing monetary support are the major roles played by senior citizens.