State government allocates funds for Geriatric care

I am giving below a brief note after attending the inaugural function of the
workshop. Pl see my comments (not related to the workshop) at the end.
=======================

State government allocates funds for Geriatric care

"The state government has allocated Rs 5 crores for funding projects
connected with senior citizens health", said Dr PV Ramesh, Principal
Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, while inaugurating
a workshop for local physicians on dementia. The one day workshop on
"Early detection and management of Dementia" was jointly organized by
Gandhi Hospital, Alzheimer's and Related Disorders Society of India,
Hyderabad Deccan Chapter (ARDSI) and the State Government. In fact,
the initiative for this timely workshop came from none other than the
principal secretary himself. The workshop is a sequel to the recently
conducted memory walk and is a part of World Alzheimer's Day
activities.

The topic gets only a cursory mention in medical curricula. The
workshop aimed at sensitizing the doctors on Dementia, which primarily
affects older people.

According Dr Suvarna Alladi of NIMS treats about 400 persons suffering
from dementia out of some 40000 patients in AP; On a national level,
there are close to 3.8 million dementia patients on the whole.

While Dr Narasimha Rao, Principal, Gandhi Hospital emphasized on
looking into preventive measures and treatable or reversible dementia
cases, Prof Kaul suggested that screening for dementia should start at
the age of 50 instead of 65 as practiced now. He also said that
doctors must include humor as a part of their routine therapy.

In an aside, Dr Sathyanarayana Raju, HOD Geriatrics, NIMS informed
that a PG Diploma Course in Geriatrics is available from IGNOU for any
physician – it is worthwhile even for senior citizens to pursue.  The
course starts in January, every year.

======================
My comments:

During the meeting I met Dr Y Sathyanarayana of NIMS whose students
are our Dr Ms Pushpa Hemadri and Dr Brig Jaya Rao. He was praising
them for their dedication to studies at that age! Both members of
sss-global have done geriatrics course of IGNOU.

When I spoke to the Principal secretary Health AP (Dr Ramesh), he
curtly said that there is no question of extending Aarogyasri to APL
senior citizens, "unless strong valid justifications are
forthcoming!". He is obviously not convinced.

=================

Dr P Vyasamoorthy, 30 Gruhalakshmi Colony Secunderabad 500015 Ph
040-27846631 / 9490804278.
My blog: http://vyasa-kaaranam-ketkadey.blogspot.com/

World Alzheimer's Day Lecture Program in Lions Bhavan

World Alzheimer's Day was observed by Association of Senior Citizens,
Hyderabad - 21st September 2010

Publicity and awareness creation material like banners, posters,
stickers and bookmarks etc received from ARDSI HQ were used and
distributed. A lecture was given by Dr P Vyasamoorthy to members of
Association. The purpose was to create awareness about the disease and
support facilities available through ARDSI, especially those available
in Hyderabad.

Besides mentioning the symptoms of AD, what can be done to avoid or
postpone getting AD, the need for extending support to caregivers was
emphasized. Sri Mital shared a few interesting jokes involving
Alzhemier's patients and the meeting ended with a positive note of
concern for the elderly suffering from dementia.

The attendance was thin as the city experienced unprecedented downpour
of rains just prior to the event causing traffic jams everywhere;
however, the Sunshine box collection amount proved that seniors are
sympathetic to the cause of dementia.

==============

SCF celebrates 17th Annual Day

Seniors Citizens Forum celebrates 17th Annual Day

Senior Citizens Forum Secunderabad, perhaps the oldest in Twin Cities,
celebrated seventeenth Annual Day at Sweekaar Upkaar in a grand style.
Nearly 140 persons registered, the dais was nicely decorated with
colorful tapestries, embroideries, lamps and what not. NV Murhy,
President appealed for greater participation in DCC.

Audience was thoroughly entertained with Fashion Show, Songs,
Speeches, Dances, and Skits etc. Sivaram, Krishna Kashinath, Shanti
Sivram, Rajkumar Yadhav, Dr Gouri Deva, Doraiswamy, Kamakshi, Dr
Sikander, Lakshman Rao, Vidya and others sang songs in Hindi and
English. Two dance programs – one Keralite Onam based group dance and
another Pongal related Gummi group dance were performed.  While the
first dance showed ladies clad in white silk saris and red blouses the
second consisted of ladies dressed in bright and cheerful red and
green saris. The performance of senior citizens was beyond compare.

Moghe couple entertained us with three short humorous skits, in Hindi,
each excelling the other. When I told them that are truly made for
each other, Mohini said: "We are mad a each other"! VK Narasimhan gave
a short speech on WATCH. Three members made generous donations.
Jayanthi did a splendid job of Master of Ceremony.

Announcements about Election of Dr Vyasamoorthy, Prof Visweswaraiah,
Sri RN Mital in AISCCON Central Council and the AP State award to Ms
Kamakshi Hatti were received amidst applause. Winners of Chess,
Bridge, Rummy etc received prizes from Ms Mamta Bai of Aasara. Two
seniors citizens crossing 80 – Ms Ponnammal and Sri Satyanarayana –
were honored.

The meeting ended with a sumptuous lunch given free to all members.

==========================

Dr P Vyasamoorthy, 30 Gruhalakshmi Colony Secunderabad 500015 Ph
040-27846631 / 9490804278.
My blog: http://vyasa-kaaranam-ketkadey.blogspot.com/

PRESS RELEASE :Delegation of Senior Citizens meets Governor :Demand declaration of State Policy on elderly persons

Message from Sailesh
==================

A delegation of senior citizens gathered under the banner of
Federation of Senior Citizens’ Organizations, Maharashtra today (7
Sept.) met the Governor of Maharashtra K. Sankaranarayanan at Raj
Bhavan, Mumbai.

The Delegation of Joint Action Committee, for Senior Citizens National
Protest Day, Mumbai & Maharashtra (16th August 2010) included
Dr.S.Kinjwadekar(AISCCON),Vijay Aundhe(FESCOM),Anil Kashkedhikar
(FESCOM), Kaka Samant (GIC Pensioners Associations)  , Sailesh Mishra
(Silver Inning Foundation) , Hiren Mehta (Harmony) and Prakash
Borangaonkar (Help age India)  .

The delegation requested the Governor to ask the State Government to
declare its State Policy on Senior Citizens immediately.  The
delegation pointed out that even though the Union Government had
declared the National Policy for Older Persons in 1999 itself, the
State Government has not declared its State Policy even after 11
years. There have been growing incidents of violence and harassment of
elderly persons and that act would safeguard the affected persons, the
delegation said.

President of the Federation Dr Shankar Kinjwadekar told that Governor
that there are 95 lakh senior citizens in Maharashtra of whom 66% are
poor. He said, 90% senior citizens do not have any social or health
security and over 20% are lonely and susceptible to threat from
criminals.

The delegation demanded that the Government form a State Council of
Senior Citizens under the Chairmanship of the Minister for Social
Justice with representatives from concerned Government departments and
Senior Citizens Federations for effective coordination on the problems
of senior citizens.

The delegation demanded full implementation of the Maintenance and
Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, setting up of Day Care
Centres for the elderly and improvement in the conditions of Old Age
Homes in the State.

The Governor assured the delegation that he would take up the issues
raised by the delegation with the Chief Minister.

(Photographs & English ,Marathi Press Release is enclosed herewith)

         (Umesh R. Kashikar)

Public Relations Officer

2367 0098 / 99208 99068

umeshkashikar@gmail.com

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Marathi Press Release (07.09.2010) new.pdf (156 KB)

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Raj Bhavan.doc (28 KB)

Event Report - Nalgonda - AP

PROTEST DAY IN NALGONDA DIST.

                Senior citizens welfare association Nalgonda Dist. Has observed the Protest day vide call given by AISCCON On 16.08.2010. the Program has organized in nalgonda town as well as 9 assembly constituencies of the Dist. In the president ship of Samudrala Mallikarjun President of the Nalgonda Dist. At about 2000 Members are Participated in the Dist. Rtd. State Govt. Employees President Damodhar Reddy , Rtd. Police Employees President G.Mallaiah, Rtd. R.T.C. Employees President Ragava Reddy along with their members are Participated on behalf senior citizens joint action committee. We made rallies in main streets of the towns like Nalgonda, Nakrekal, Suryapet, Kodad, Huzur nagar, Miryalaguda, Nidamanuru, Ramannapet, Bhongir and Choutuppal. Samudrala Mallikarjun has Explained about the Protest day, N.P.O.P. and Maintenance of welfare and Protection of senior citizens act. The speakers are K.china Venakat Reddy, Riaz ali, M. Narayana, Anantha Ramashrma, Ramachandra Reddy Ex M.L.C.,

                I have organized the Protest day in Madhira Khammam Dist., Warangal, Adilabad and Mahaboob Nagar Dist.

                In Nalgonda the Program has arranged by G.Daniel, M.Narayana, Riaz Ali, Mattapally Kshatraiah, Asheervadam, Chiranjeevulu and in branches the Presidents and association committee members along with J.A.C Members.

                In the end of the meeting in Nalgonda we have submitted a Representation to Honorable Prime Minister of India, chief Minister of A.P. of the state through Dist. Collector and in Branches concerned Tahisildars also.