Elderly persons from 14 organizations that protect their interests are preparing a resolution whereby they demand that the authorities ensure decent living standards and improve the quality of life for the elderly people. Suggestions were made at a roundtable meeting, Info-Prim Neo reports. The third consecutive year, Moldovan delegations alongside delegations from 43 countries came together for a campaign titled “Age Requires Action”, which is designed to promote the rights of the elderly persons. “We want that the elderly people are more efficiently supported. We demand that the rights to social protection and medical assistance be observed,” said Galina Cecalev, the head of the Women's Club “Sperata” (“Hope”) working in Lapusna village of Hancesti district. “The social package intended for the elderly can be improved,” said Angela Chirilov, the head of the Social Assistance Division of the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family. “A priority is to provide social assistance by assessing the incomes. When the pension is insufficient or is lower than the minimum level guaranteed by the state, the person should also benefit from social assistance and use this money for different needs.” Maria Cumpana, the head of the Health Ministry's Medical Services Division, stressed that the national health policies contain a separate chapter titled “Healthy and Active Elderly People”, which envisions a series of activities. The National Geriatrics Center was set up in 2009. Legislation was formulated to implement this branch of medicine concerned with the diseases and care of old people nationwide. It was decided that geriatrics divisions will be created in every district, Angela Chirilov said. “Now we are drafting the law on obligatory health insurance funds and aim to include activities designed to improve the elderly people's access to medical services, to extend the list of drugs paid for by the state and the healthcare services provided at home,” Maria Cumpana said. Attending the roundtable meeting, actress Ninela Caranfil said that for her this age is only a golden age as a long life is a sign of success, while the old age is a gift accepted by everyone when they are young. The campaign “Age Requires Action” is organized by HelpAge International under the aegis of the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund in Moldova and the NGO “Respiraţia a Doua” (“Second Breath”). Moldova's social protection systems covers over 455,000 elderly persons. More than 100 million elderly people worldwide live on less than $1 a day. However, most of them maintain themselves and continue to support their families and the community.