Bushenyi District, Uganda – For many older people, the challenges they face are not always visible from the outside. A visit, a conversation, or simply having someone sit down and listen can reveal needs that often go unnoticed.
It was with this spirit that Mbabazi Monicah visited elderly people in Bushenyi District to better understand their day-to-day experiences, the difficulties they are facing, and the kind of support that could make their lives safer, healthier, and more dignified.
During the visit, Monicah spent time talking with the elderly in their homes and listening to their stories. Rather than simply assuming what they need, the visit was focused on listening first and understanding their reality.
One of the important areas explored was their access to healthcare. As people grow older, regular medical check-ups become increasingly important, yet accessing health services can be difficult for some elderly people, particularly when they have limited income, mobility challenges, or depend on others to take them for care.
The conversations also touched on the everyday needs that can easily be overlooked ; medication, nutrition, hygiene and sanitation, personal care, companionship, and support within the home.
Beyond Healthcare: The Need to Be Heard
The visit also highlighted that caring for older people is about more than medical treatment.
For some elderly people, loneliness and social isolation can be just as difficult as physical challenges. Having someone visit, ask how they are doing, listen to their concerns, and show genuine interest in their lives can restore a sense of connection and belonging.
Monicah’s conversations created an opportunity for the elderly to speak openly about their circumstances and the support they would like to see within their communities.
Their experiences point to the importance of community-based support systems where older people are not forgotten or left to struggle alone.
Understanding Before Acting
The Bushenyi visit was not simply about identifying problems. It was an opportunity to begin thinking about practical and sustainable ways of responding to those needs.
Possible areas of support include facilitating access to routine health check-ups, helping vulnerable elderly people connect with health facilities, supporting access to prescribed medication, improving household hygiene and sanitation, providing nutritional support, conducting home visits, and creating opportunities for companionship and social interaction.
There is also an important role for families, communities, local leaders, health workers, volunteers, civil society organizations, and development partners. Supporting older people requires a collective effort.
A Community Where Everyone Has a Place to Belong
The visit to Bushenyi reflects a simple but important principle: older people deserve to age with dignity, care, respect, and belonging.
Their stories, experiences, and contributions remain an important part of the community. Listening to them is therefore not only an act of compassion; it is a way of understanding what needs to change.
For Mbabazi Monicah, the visit was a step toward learning directly from the people at the heart of the issue and exploring how meaningful support can reach those who need it most.
At Humura Community Center Uganda (HCCU), this approach fits into a wider commitment to supporting older persons through the Elders Welfare & Healthy Ageing Program – promoting healthcare access, healthy ageing, psychosocial well-being, nutrition, hygiene and sanitation, companionship, and social inclusion.
Because growing older should never mean being forgotten. Every elder deserves care, dignity, and a place to belong.
