The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) is ramping up efforts to promote Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness while expanding employment and livelihood opportunities for older Filipinos, especially those without pensions.

In an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon on Wednesday, NCSC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mary Jean Loreche said the agency is set to meet with doctors from the Philippine General Hospital and members of the Alzheimer’s Disease Association of the Philippines to begin coordination on a national intervention program.

“Ngayon pa lang kami magsisimula after nitong interview na ito, kasi ito po ay matagal na naming pinag-usapan din na kami nga ay dapat magkaroon ng ugnayan with the —ating mga Doctors for Alzheimer’s Disease Association of the Philippines (This meeting will begin after this interview. We’ve long planned to coordinate with the doctors from the Alzheimer’s Disease Association of the Philippines),” Loreche said.

She said the program would proceed in stages, beginning with education and awareness campaigns.

“Mauuna siguro ang awareness, pagpapaintindi sa ating mga kababayan, ano ba ang Alzheimer’s or ano kaya ang dementia (We will start with awareness —helping the public understand what Alzheimer’s or dementia is),” she added.

Promoting mental wellness and social connection

Loreche said the NCSC is also addressing emotional and cognitive wellness among the elderly, noting that many older persons experience isolation, depression, and anxiety.

“Kailangan natin iyan maibalik sa kanila na sila po ay mahalaga sa ating bayan at sa ating community (We must restore to them the sense that they are important to our nation and our communities),” she said.

The Commission is promoting “social prescribing” in its community-based care centers, where seniors can interact with peers and younger generations to foster connection and well-being.

Retooling, employment for non-pensioned seniors

Responding to questions, Loreche detailed ongoing efforts to provide skills training and job opportunities to elderly Filipinos without pensions.

“Mayroon tayong ugnayan ngayon sa National Institutes of Health, Institute on Aging sa University of the Philippines… ginagawa na natin iyong ating tinatawag na medical guidelines (We are currently coordinating with the National Institutes of Health, Institute on Aging to finalize medical guidelines),” she said.

These guidelines will ensure that reemployment opportunities are age-appropriate and aligned with each senior citizen’s health and capabilities.

The Commission is also partnering with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Tourism to provide training based on seniors’ interests, which vary per region.

“Ano nga ba ang kanilang hilig pasukin? Ano ba ang kanilang interes?… at kayo ay magugulat na ang number one na pinakaimportante para sa kanila pala… ay agribusiness (What are they interested in? What do they want to pursue? Surprisingly, their top priority is agribusiness),” she said.

Loreche said the NCSC is holding a roundtable discussion in Kidapawan City to prepare older persons for fruit preservation enterprises, in collaboration with TESDA and DOLE.

The agency has also received applications for the first batch of seniors to be trained for tourism-related work, such as tour guiding in Intramuros and national museums.

The third phase —conducting training— is already underway, she added.

Proposed reforms in senior citizen hiring, voting

On senior citizen hiring, Loreche said changes in employment status and benefits would require legislation.

“Kapag sinabi mong mga benefits, wala iyan, dahil iyan naman ay… it will require a revisit of the law (Benefits can’t be provided right away because it would require revisiting the law),” she said.

In the meantime, the NCSC is coordinating with LGUs and the private sector to offer honoraria, funding, and training for returning senior workers.

She said the agency will engage with policymakers to discuss extending the working age beyond the current limits.

“Considering that the new normal today is 70 and not 60 or 65,” she said.

Loreche also reported that the NCSC is working with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to propose expanded voting privileges for seniors.

“Gusto nating palawigin ito sa darating na eleksiyon… baka puwede naman na isang buong araw prior to the actual votation (We want to extend the voting period to an entire day before the general elections),” she said.

Loreche also recommended improvements to polling site accessibility, provision of medical kits, hydration stations, and dedicated lanes and precincts for senior citizens.

Government support

Loreche assured elderly Filipinos that the government is serious about advancing their welfare and inclusion.

“Ang atin pong nakatatanda, kayo po ay talagang mahal po ng ating gobyerno, ng ating pamahalaan (Our elderly are truly valued by this government),” she said.

Loreche cited the rollout of the expanded centenarian cash gift, participation in the “Trabaho para sa Bayan” program, and the development of community-based care centers as concrete steps in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s eight-point agenda.

“Gusto nating maisaayos iyan upang hindi magkaproblema ang ating mga older adults when it comes to voting day (We want these systems in place so our older adults won’t have any difficulty during election day),” she added. (PNA)