With the National Older Person’s Policy set in motion (a great thing happening), there is one area I would like to suggest, as a recommendation to the Government that they might consider adding – a Senior Citizens Discounts Scheme to the policy. In addition, as a recommendation also to the Private Sector, to consider (if they haven’t already) including it in their products or services.
Senior Citizens Discounts concept and practice is not new, having been around for some time, though it is more western. The scheme basically offers discounts, in percentage e.g., 10% / 15% / 20% off to senior citizens over a certain age bracket (depending on the country – ranging from 50 years and above), for various services offered e.g., transport (from bus, taxi to air), supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, retail stores (from clothes to household goods and equipment), internet and communication, entertainment and leisure activities, sports facilities etc. There is a whole range of different types and kinds of senior citizens discounts being offered.
For most of the countries where these senior citizen discounts services are, it is mainly offered through the private sector – companies that offer these services. However, there is an exception, where a country like the Philippines, their government provides for their senior citizens - discounts, benefits, and privileges for various services and products passed through laws.
These include being entitled to a "20% discount and exemption from the value -added tax (VAT) on certain goods and services for their exclusive use. Among these are the purchase of medicines and essential medical supplies, accessories and equipment; professional fees of attending physicians and licensed health workers as well as on medical and dental services, diagnostic and laboratory fees in private hospitals, medical facilities, outpatient clinics and home health care services.” (https://pia.gov.ph/features/articles/1026127).
The 20% discount also applies to transport (such as buses, taxis and shuttle services), restaurants, hotels, recreation centres, leisure and amusement entertainment. The government also offers a discount when it comes to death, on funeral and burial services. It also provides a 5% discount on water and electricity bills, and on certain groceries. Furthermore, they have set up mechanisms on ensuring and verifying that it is the senior citizens (and only them), that get to use these discounts and benefits. To read more, information is provided through the Philippine Information Agency in the link above.
It is noted that this is not "a one size fits all” solution, for all countries are unique; for what works in one country won’t necessary work in the other. However if one was to access the current situation, according to NISR, there are an estimated 707,000 old people in Rwanda, the need for a nation-wide senior citizen discount policy and program, would beneficial, especially for the mass senior citizen, where every coin matters, especially for those who currently receive a small amount of pension money or for those who don’t have any pension (and no savings) and are barely able to survive day to day.
For the private companies, introducing senior discounts would be not only an incentive to get more customers, while retaining the current ones; but also be like a CSR angle, helping out in a different way.
The pandemic exposed and taught us all that we are connected – the butterfly effect. It taught us that we need to be more empathetic to others, to "try” walking in their shoes, experiencing what they are going through. It taught us the need to be aware of diversity and inclusion; that we all matter, no matter the difference. The welfare of senior citizen affects us all – directly or indirectly. A senior citizen discount and benefits program would be a step towards their wellbeing.
Gloria Lwakabamba is a Strategy and Communication Consultant.
The views expressed in this article are of the author.