Muscat – Issued by H.E. Dr. Laila bint Ahmed al Najjar, Minister of Social Development, the decision outlines a detailed framework for providing holistic support to residents.

The new regulations, which came into force on May 26, were issued on May 20, and mark a significant shift in how Oman manages institutional care for its aging population.

The Home aims to provide shelter for the elderly; deliver social, health, psychological, cultural, and recreational care services for the elderly; foster a suitable environment for the elderly to spend their day; and coordinate with relevant authorities to manage the financial affairs of the elderly, and to prepare a will for an elderly person with full legal capacity.

The following conditions are required for accepting an elderly person into the Home:
• Individuals must be Omani nationals.
• They must be unable to manage their personal affairs and lack adequate family care.
• A social study will confirm eligibility, and medical clearance from a government health institution is required.
• The Minister retains authority to make exceptions based on individual cases.
Residents will have the right to receive visitors and leave the Home under defined guidelines. The regulation also encourages volunteer participation in organising activities for residents, subject to health and conduct conditions. Volunteers are strictly prohibited from photographing or sharing information about residents without written consent.
Each resident will have an individual electronic file, containing identification, health, and family data, along with care plans and periodic follow-up reports. In case of critical illness or accidents, family members must be notified. If the family cannot be reached, the Home is authorised to act in the resident’s best interest, including surgical procedures when necessary.
Article 7 of the decision states that the Home must inform one of the elderly person’s family members – if any – in case they experience any critical health condition or accident. If this is not possible and their condition requires surgical intervention, the Home shall approve it and inform the competent administrative division in the Ministry.
In the event of an elderly person’s death, the Home must take the following actions:

• Notify the Royal Oman Police and coordinate with them regarding sending the body to the nearest health institution to the Home to prepare a medical report on the cause of death.
• Inform one of the elderly person’s family members – if any – whose names are listed in the elderly person’s file for burial procedures. If they are unable to do so, burial procedures shall be carried out by the specialists at the Home within a period not exceeding forty-eight hours from the time of death.
  The stay of an elderly person in the Home shall end upon the occurrence of one of the following cases:
• Upon a written request from them, once their ability to support themselves has been proven.
• If their family circumstances allow them to reside with their family.
• The availability of a suitable alternative family to care for them.
• Death.