The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development Services and care supporting individuals with disabilities and the elderly

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development places great emphasis on supporting various segments of society by providing a range of services and care. This includes the elderly and individuals with disabilities, for whom the Ministry has provided shelter services. Additionally, the ministry has launched numerous initiatives to improve the quality of life and enhance the level of services offered to the community in general, and specifically in the care homes overseen by the Ministry. Elderly individuals contribute to society in various ways, including through volunteer work and sharing their experiences and knowledge with younger generations, benefiting from the life lessons they have acquired.

To highlight these contributions, the International Day of Older Persons, or the International Day for the Elderly, is celebrated globally each year.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development provides comprehensive (health, social, and psychological) care for the elderly through social care homes spread across various regions of the Kingdom.

As part of the National Transformation Program, the ministry is working on initiatives to establish five model facilities for the elderly that meet their needs, providing comprehensive services including healthcare, physical therapy, and recreational clubs. Additionally, the Ministry is enabling the private sector to establish 13 specialized organizations for the elderly, covering all regions of the Kingdom. The Ministry, along with the Family Affairs Council, is also involved in the development of the Elderly Rights Law, which plays a key role in protecting the rights of the elderly, safeguarding them from abuse, and ensuring the provision of the best services for them.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development seeks to empower individuals with disabilities by providing them with suitable employment opportunities and education that ensure their independence and integration as active members of society. The Ministry aims to equip them with all the necessary tools and support to achieve success and harness their potential in line with their abilities and capabilities. This is accomplished through a variety of vocational training programs tailored to the needs and abilities of each group, along with the provision of medical, social, psychological, educational, and professional services. These efforts help individuals with disabilities achieve the highest possible level of functional effectiveness, enabling them to adapt to the demands of their natural and social environments, while also fostering their self-reliance and allowing them to become productive members of society whenever possible.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development offers several programs to empower individuals with disabilities, including the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development offers the Home-Based Social Rehabilitation Care Program for individuals with disabilities and bedridden patients. This program provides the preventive and social services they need within their family and social environment, to improve their abilities and achieve independence and self-reliance. Additionally, it includes the provision of monthly financial assistance and medical devices for individuals with disabilities, such as discounted transportation cards for public transit, mobility facilitation cards, autism disorder identification cards, and a visa fee exemption program for individuals with disabilities. 

Through these programs, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development is committed to achieving sustainable social development and enhancing social solidarity, in alignment with the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.