At a nursing home in Lebanon, I met Aline, an elderly woman who has made the facility her home, a place that provides her with as much care as possible. She considers it her second home, yet the sparkle in her eyes could not hide her longing for her family, who emigrated because of Lebanon’s harsh economic conditions. Her friend, Afaf, keeps a photograph of her only son, whom she had always dreamed of living close to with his young family. “I live in psychological isolation despite being here,” she says, “even with the enjoyable moments we spend together.” This is the reality for many elderly men and women in Lebanon, closely tied to the country’s economic and social crises, which have pushed many young Lebanese to seek opportunities abroad—leaving a large number of older people far from their families.
Elderly Needs
“As the body ages, changes occur at the cellular and organ level, leading to corresponding changes in both function and appearance.”
Older adults need a suitable place to live, as well as multifaceted healthcare, particularly physical care. With advancing age, their physical activity declines, prompting them to reduce activities they once enjoyed. They may eventually require assistance from those around them to manage daily tasks. On the mental health front, they may feel something has changed around them or sense a constant need for help. Addressing the needs of the elderly requires a comprehensive approach that supports them in a way that reinforces their role, fosters a sense of independence, and enables them to manage their personal affairs with dignity.
Demographic Change
The growing migration of Lebanese youth has deprived the country of a significant portion of its human capital and caused a demographic shift marked by a shrinking youth population and a rising proportion of older adults.
It is projected that the number of people aged 60 and above will more than double between 2020 and 2050—from around 765,000 (11.2% of the population) to 1.7 million (27.1%). Over the same period, the number of people aged 15 to 24 is expected to decline by about one-third.
The migration of youth and the rising number of elderly in Lebanon—many of whom cannot be taken abroad—has deeply affected the mental well-being of older adults, who often live in isolation away from their families. This underscores the importance of ensuring that seniors remain integrated into society, have a voice in shaping and implementing policies that impact their well-being, and can share their knowledge and skills with younger generations.
Aline, an elderly woman, has made this nursing home her place of care. She considers it her second home, yet the sparkle in her eyes could not hide her yearning for her distant family, who emigrated because of Lebanon’s challenging living conditions.
Role of the State
The social protection systems have not yielded the inclusive and adequate results hoped for, leaving a segment of elderly individuals who never entered the labor market without healthcare coverage—except through their families—while many others lost their savings in banks.
To address this issue, there should be a “unified draft law” that covers all elderly people, ensuring them free healthcare as well as a monthly stipend to meet their basic needs.
Possible Solutions
No solution can achieve the desired outcomes in protecting and safeguarding the rights of the elderly—particularly from a psychological perspective—without considering the points raised by life coach Abir Khodr. In her interview, Khodr emphasized that healthcare coverage for seniors must extend to all citizens in this age group, even those who have never been part of the workforce. She stressed that independence is a fundamental principle in mental health, as recognized by the UN General Assembly and supported by various international charters, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1982 International Plan of Action on Ageing (Resolution 37). This principle entails ensuring seniors have a source of income.
She also highlighted the importance of focusing on seniors’ mental well-being and ensuring their interaction with society. “Non-verbal communication with seniors must be taken seriously due to its impact—it happens through vibrational frequencies, known as vibrational communication. When we fail to speak directly to the people in front of us, these vibrations are emitted, which can explain why we sometimes feel discomfort around certain people—or the opposite.”
Khodr added that keeping seniors in their homes should be a priority, with nursing homes considered an exception. “Changing the residence of elderly people forces them to adapt to different environmental conditions, which can create a sense that their existence has become purposeless.”
The UN General Assembly has presented scientific research disproving the belief that health inevitably deteriorates with age. However, with the global average lifespan increasing by five and a half years since the start of the new century, it is essential to give seniors their right to care so they can remain active in their communities and contribute their knowledge, which in turn can help drive the economy forward.
