 the majority of older persons are poor and have to work for their living, declining physical strength means declining income and, therefore, a declining quality of life; and 93. The absence of a formal policy framework made it difficult to address the problems facing older persons in a coordinated and integrated manner hence, the development of the National Policy for Older Persons. The purpose of the Policy is, therefore, to improve the quality of life of older persons and issue a new lease of life and bring hope to them by:  Promoting inclusion and increased access by older persons to socio-economic services;  Promoting and safeguarding the rights of older persons to human development priorities such as health, education, income, water and sanitation;  Harnessing their proven capacity for productivity, independence and active involvement in the development of their communities; and  Recognizing and respecting the benefits of older persons such as the wealth of skill and experience that older persons bring to the workplace, public life, the community and family. 94. The objectives of the Policy are as follows:  To recognise, protect and promote the rights and independence of older persons;  To increase access to health, water and sanitation services, in order to promote active ageing practices among older persons;  To promote food security and nutrition among older persons’ households;  To develop and implement programmes that eradicate poverty amongst older persons and their families; 27