Page 248 - FDF QUARTER 2 REPORT 2025 (ENGLISH)

6/4/25, 10:23 AM Under the directives of H.H Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak FDF launches ‘Safe Home Preparation Guide' for senior citizens
His Excellency stated that FDF consistently follows the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, ‘Mother of the
Nation,’ who emphasises the significance of caring for senior citizens and residents, ensuring their well-being, and reinforcing
their role in society as a foundation of family and social cohesion. H.E. noted that under the guidance of Her Highness, FDF is
dedicated to launching and implementing impactful initiatives and projects aimed at improving the quality of life for this segment
of society, empowering them, and ensuring their active participation in sustainable development, in line with the UAE’s overall
humanitarian vision.

Comprehensive Strategy
Her Excellency Mariam Mohammed Al Rumaithi, Director General of FDF, highlighted that the country’s priority on senior citizens
is not a coincidence, but it is a key aspect of an integrated strategic goal envisioned by the wise leadership and strongly
supported by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, ‘Mother of the Nation’. Her Highness specially focusses on this group,
considering them as a significant part of the social fabric. H.E. Al Rumaithi further emphasised Her Highness’s continued
commitment to offer consistent comfort and support for senior citizens through a range of programs and initiatives that ensure a
dignified, stable, and fulfilling life that meet their health and social needs.

H.E. Al Rumaithi stated that senior citizens are both a blessing and a source of security for our country, and that attending to
their needs for comfort is the least that can be done to honour their years of contributions. We seek to ensure their comfort and
stability while adhering to the highest safety and health regulations. H.E. Al Rumaithi further emphasised FDF’s efforts to create
safe homes for senior citizens by making requisite modifications to ensure sustainable safety that is customised to their health
conditions and circumstances.

H.E. Al Rumaithi also emphasised the significance of the FDF’s initiative, highlighting that it involves house modifications that
assist senior citizens’ mobility, while also ensuring social engagement and integration. These modifications include the
installation of access ramps, inclusion of handrails in key locations, and the use of nonslip flooring in outdoor
spaces. H.E. further emphasised the need of widening doorways, improving lighting, and adding a canopy or awning at the entry
of homes to provide weather protection, while maintaining full compliance with safety standards.

H.E. Al Rumaithi said: “Care for seniors is a basic humanitarian and national value that represents social cohesiveness and
improves quality of life. It encourages the use of FDF’s community initiatives and programs to ensure a dignified and safe life for
this vital segment of the society, as well as protect their position and promote their psychological and social health.”
Motion Sensors and Assistive Tech

Her Excellency Wafa Mohammed Al Ali, Director of the Family Development Department at FDF, stated that technology is no
more a luxury, but rather a means to convey our love and care for the comfort of senior citizens. H.E. stated that simple
innovations can make a significant difference in creating a safer and more independent home environment for senior citizens.
These technologies include motion sensors that automatically illuminate hallways at night, fall or emergency alarm systems,
indoor surveillance cameras that reassure family members remotely, smart medication organisers that remind them of their
medication schedules and voice assistants that allow for easy lighting control or assistance requests.

H.E. Al Ali emphasised the need of providing a safe home environment for senior citizens, starting with simple yet important
details. H.E. highlighted the importance of sufficient lighting in corridors and bathrooms to reduce the risk of falls, as senior
citizens require clearer vision. Proper lighting makes a significant difference to their safety. H.E. further stressed the significance
of support handles in bathrooms to assist with standing and moving, as these are the most common sites for household
accidents. Simple changes can mitigate major risks. To avoid tripping, remove loose carpets and exposed cables, as safe
flooring equals safe steps. The layout of furniture should allow for simple movement, particularly for persons who use assistive
devices such as walkers or wheelchairs. Senior citizens can roam more freely and safely in open settings.
Safe Homes

H.E. Abdulrahman Al Balushi, Director of the Strategic Planning and Institutional Development Department at FDF, discussed
one of the key initiatives—the launch of the ‘Safe Home Preparation Guide’ He noted that the initiative aims to create a home
environment that is safer and more comfortable for seniors, accommodating their health and functional needs. The guide also

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