After its initiative to make Thrissur a child-friendly district, the district panchayat is on yet another mission — to make Thrissur elderly friendly. If successfully implemented, Thrissur will be the State’s first elderly friendly district.
A geriatric resource centre will come up initially at Olari, near Thrissur, under the project to coordinate functions of various day-care homes and elderly care centres in the panchayats, said district panchayat president Shiela Vijayakumar.
Elderly neighbourhood groups and model elderly care centres at panchayat-municipality-Corporation levels, will also come under the project.
According to statistics, 15% of Thrissur’s population is above 60 years of age. The district panchayat is rolling out its ambitious project after conducting a pilot study on comprehensive and cost-effective elderly care at the Puthurkkara division in Thrissur Corporation and at the Thalikkulam gram panchayat.
Most of the elderly are weary of loneliness and diseases. In the absence of loved ones to share their problems, many are even pushed to a state of depression. Sharing their worries with people of their age will be a huge relief for them. The elderly care centres should be able to cater to these needs, Ms. Vijayakumar said.
Crisis faced by the elderly was one of the major socio-economic challenges of the State, noted former Chief Secretary S.M. Vijayanand, who was at KILA (Kerala Institute of Local Administration) here to discuss about the project.
50 lakh persons
“There are more than 50 lakh elderly persons in the State. Of them, 20% are above 80 years of age,” he said.
The local self-government institutions can play a vital role in elderly care as 5% of the ₹6,500-crore Plan funds has been earmarked for welfare of the elderly, he said.
Efforts by the Thrissur district panchayat in elderly persons’ welfare should be a model for the rest of the State, he added.
“There are many elderly care centres and day-care homes under various panchayats. But the local bodies seldom know what they can do for the welfare of the elderly. The resource centre can guide them,” said the district panchayat president. Periodical medical camps and counselling sessions will make their twilight years more joyful.
The district panchayat will rope in ASHA workers, Kudumbasree Mission, Palliative care centres, and voluntary health professionals for the mission. KILA will provide technical support and training for the project.
Foundation stone for the resource centre will be laid on October 1, on International Day of Older Persons.
