The Indian Medial Association (IMA) has suggested development of ‘anganwadis’ as day-care centres for elders, as in Kerala.
The idea was mooted by V.U. Seethi, chairman of IMA’s National Committee for Care of Elderly, at a recent function organised by the Tamil Nadu State Branch in Erode to celebrate World Elders’ Day.
According to Dr. Seethi, the day-care centres will contribute to the happiness of the elders who usually feel abandoned by their families. Thereby, proliferation of old age homes could be prevented, he said.
Recognising the magnitude of the problems faced by the elderly people, IMA has taken up their care as a special project. The project aims at supporting the physically weak, mentally depressed, socially isolated and financial broken elderly people.
The project involves formation of a task force for conducting workshops, carrying out research, organising public events and awareness programmes, and establishing district monitoring committee. The IMA intends to identify deserving individuals into financially poor and financially sound. Those in former category will receive all possible help and the latter category of elders will receive counselling support.
IMA branches have been encouraged to prevail upon their members to adopt one or two persons and provide them concessional or free consultation, and counselling, before bringing deserving people under mediclaim policy. Likewise, each of private hospital managements has been requested to adopt a few elderly people, and local branches have been asked to start old age homes or adopt such homes.
There are plans to conduct free clinics on periodic basis, free geriatric camp, and blindness control programme, and special awareness programme for caretakers and elders.
These centres will contribute to the happiness of the elders who usually feel abandoned by their families
