The system of rights of the elderly in Saudi Arabia

The system of rights of the elderly in Saudi Arabia

The social solidarity inherent in Saudi society has helped preserve the noble Islamic values that encourage caring for and providing assistance to the elderly.

From this standpoint, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was keen to affirm this principle, protect the rights of the elderly, and prevent infringement on them by issuing and caring for the rights of the elderly.

The system addresses the rights of the elderly, the services provided by the competent authorities, and the penalties imposed on violators of the system’s provisions.

What are the five most important rights of older people?

Rights of the elderly in the Ministry of Health

• Helping the elderly obtain the necessary health and treatment services.
• Taking into account their special needs within the health facility.
• Providing home medical care to those unable to reach hospitals.
• Providing necessary appliances at home, such as wheelchairs, crutches, hearing aids, etc.
• Providing them with appropriate meals during their stay in the hospital.
• Facilitating the procedures for obtaining appointments and medical reports.

Rights of older persons to obtain social security

An elderly person in need is entitled to benefits provided by the state to people with limited and no income.

The rights of older persons to protection from abuse

The rights of the elderly must be protected, not infringed upon, and they must be protected from the necessary harm.

The right to care for the elderly

Their right to receive the necessary care from their family members, to carry out their affairs, and to maintain their safety and health.

Rights of older persons in society

Rights of older persons in society

The rights of the elderly in Islam are guaranteed, stipulated to protect them, and urged the reverence, respect, and care of the elderly in cases of old age and weakness.

One of the ways to respect the elderly is to take their opinion, consult them, and enable them to participate in the development and advancement of society by integrating them into society, transferring their experiences and knowledge to new generations, and volunteering in charitable fields.

The system of rights of the elderly in Saudi Arabia

Who is obligated to care for the elderly?

Family members are required to provide them with the necessary care for the elderly, and the responsibility is on their shoulders according to the following sequence:

• Husband or wife if desired.
• One of his male children.
• One of his male grandchildren.
• One of his male brothers.

The system of rights of the elderly in Saudi Arabia

What services does the state provide to the elderly?

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia provides various services to care for the elderly for free, including health and financial services, facilitating access to e-government services, and obtaining the necessary home care.

The competent authorities shall supervise the elderly who are disabled or incapacitated and manage their money and property when there is no one to care for them.

What are the benefits of the elderly?

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development grants the elderly a privilege card in order to benefit from necessary public services.

The card gives special privileges to the elderly, including:

• Special seats for the elderly in the front rows.
• Giving priority to the elderly in providing services to them, especially if the elderly person is over the age of sixty, whether he holds an excellence card or not.
• Discounts on government services.

What are the penalties for violating the rights of the elderly in Saudi Arabia?

Penalties for violating the rights of the elderly in Saudi Arabia

The Senior Rights and Care System pdf stipulates that anyone who violates the provisions of the system shall be punished with the following penalties:

• Anyone who commits the following acts shall be punished with imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year and a fine not exceeding 500,000 Saudi riyals:
  • Disposing of an elderly person’s money without his consent.
  • Intentionally violating the protection of the rights and care of the elderly.
• The agent misbehaves with the elderly person’s money.
• The following entities shall be punished with a fine not exceeding 100,000 Saudi riyals:
• Social care homes when they house an elderly person without his consent.
• Service providers when older people are not given primary access to basic health and social services.

The system of rights of the elderly in Saudi Arabia

A specialized lawyer from the office of Lawyer Abdul Majeed Al Rashid must be sought in criminal cases in the event of infringement or neglect of the rights of the elderly, in order to take the necessary legal measures to protect them.

A criminal lawyer from Abdul Majeed Al Rashid Law Firm and Legal Consultations provides legal services that include studying and analyzing cases, drafting legal memoranda and defenses, representing clients before the Public Prosecution and competent authorities, attending sessions before criminal courts, pleading on behalf of clients, and other various services.