A social audit of all old-age homes under the government will be undertaken this year. This is to ensure that the number of residents is commensurate with the facilities and the staff strength.
Over 830 people live in the 16 homes runs by the Social Justice Department in the State. In some homes, facilities have increased, but the residents’ strength remains the same. In others, there are more people that can be accommodated. The number of contract staff in each facility needs to be revisited. All these will be rationalised as part of the social audit, says Social Justice Director Jafar Malik.
The infrastructure in each facility too will be covered, especially as some homes get many sponsorships, while others are fund-starved.
Second Innings, a project to turn government old-age homes into model facilities that provide multiple services, will be extended to other districts.
After the pilot in Kannur, the homes in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Kozhikode will be transformed into Second Innings homes.
Couples’ home
The department’s plan for a couples’ home is on course. The ₹4.4-crore project could not be realised owing to a financial crunch this year.
Mr. Malik says panchayats that have received government funds for setting up Sayamprabha homes, multi-day-care centres, have been directed to set them up by the year-end. From next year, the department will provide funds to an NGO that will set up the facility on panchayat land. This model, piloted in Neyyattinkara with the help of HelpAge India, will now be implemented in Kozhikode .
The elderly-friendly grama panchayat project in Palakkad and Thiruvananthapuram will be extended to other places. Panchayats will be given funds to set up elderly-friendly buildings and parks.
The Vayomadhuram scheme for glucometer distribution which targeted 1,000 applications in each district had received over 5,000 applications.
Subsidy from shops
The government is also keen on extending to the entire district an initiative launched within the limits of a Janamaithri police station in Kollam district.
Under the initiative that links shops with the elderly, an ID number is given to the elderly and on its basis, shops give them subsidy. The elderly can convey their requirements to medicine outlets, which will provide home delivery.
Creation of a trust to manage property of senior citizens is another area that the government plans to work on.
Many senior citizens have property or finances but no one to give it to, and donate it to government institutions. The government has no mechanism to deal with these and questions arise on ways to utilise them.
