"Retirement India Expo" a big hit -- says The Hindu.

'Retirement India expo' a big hit

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

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The show for the elderly features customised products, services and housing

All ears: Senior citizens listening to speakers at the inauguration of 'Retirement India Expo 2011' on Saturday. — Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

In youth, the days are short and years long, in old age the years are short and days long. That's exactly the problem with the senior citizens. Most of them want privacy but no isolation, company but no crowd.

The 'Retirement India expo', billed as the first such expo for the elderly, that commenced here on Saturday, attracted a good number of oldies. Most of them were seen making enquiries for customised products, services and housing. With children settled abroad or too busy with their own lives, the elderly couples, widows and widowers searched for a cosy place to stay with someone at hand to attend.

The two-day expo is being organised jointly by Dignity Foundation, Athashri and A.P. Rajiv Swagruha Corporation at Taj Deccan hotel. The expo has stalls catering to healthy aging, leisure, lifestyle, consumables, insurance. Besides lively discussions are arranged on subjects such as critical appreciation of music, how to make safe money in stock market, art of making salads, fitness.

Cold shouldered

Sheilu Sreenivasan, founder-president, Dignity Foundation, said the 97 million senior citizens constituted an important political constituency and yet they were given a cold shoulder. There was none to represent them. Even the 12th plan did not make a mention about the elderly. She wanted the government to be proactive and pay special attention to the senior citizens who have contributed 60 years to the economy.

Justice Subhashan Reddy said providing the senior citizens a dignified life was no mercy or charity, but a human right guaranteed by the United Nations. "A life without dignity is no life at all," he remarked.

Justice Reddy said the Protection of Parents and Senior Citizens Act was enacted in 2007, but till date it is not implemented. He deplored the unreasonable and inordinate delay of a welfare resolution.

He asked the Dignity Foundation to file a writ of mandamus for implementation of the Act.

Shalini Mishra, managing director, Rajiv Swagruha Corporation, spoke about the exclusive housing created by the government for the elderly. Prashanti Enclave was ready at Bandlaguda in L.B. Nagar while two more such ventures were planned at Tirupati and Visakhapatnam. She wanted the financial institutions to extend loan facility to the senior citizens as the latter had problem raising money for housing. She felt the government should intervene in this matter.

Later four eminent senior citizens were honoured. They included centenarian Gelli Narayana Chetty; Dr. B.K. Sahay, Diabetologist; R.N. Mittal, president, senior citizens association; Prof. Mukunda Rao, former UN advisor, and Dr. K. R. Gangadharan of Heritage Hospital.

Dr P Vyasamoorthy, 30 Gruhalakshmi Colony Secunderabad 500015 Ph 040-27846631 / 9490804278.My blog: http://vyasa-kaaranam-ketkadey.blogspot.com/
Have you seen the revised website of AISCCON? http://www.aisccon.org/

Sri RN Mital and Dr KR Gangadharan honored

Sri RN Mital and DR KR Gangadharan honored

 

Five Senior Citizens were honored for their services to the elderly during the inaugural function of Retirement Expo 2011 held in Hyderabad on 22^nd November.  Sri RN MItal, Dr KR Gangadharan are among those well known to Senior Citizens Community already. 

Dr Gangadharan was abroad and his daughter took the award.  Others included:  Sri Gelli Narayan Shetty, aged 104, was also honored. He did not look his age at all. He spoke very clearly, lucidly and to the point. An erstwhile Kurnool Collector, a fighter for pensioners rights - he was applauded by one and all. Third one was Dr BK Sahai who has done immense work on diabetes and seniors. The fifth one was Sri Muknda Rao, a Florida based 'liberated' man.  He is an UN adviser. Please join me in congratulating all of them.

 

The function started sharp at announced time though Chief Guest,  Justice  Sbhashan Reddy arrived some 45 minutes late.

 

Sheilu Srreenivasan Founder of Dignity Foundation, Ms Janaki Raman of Vision India, Ms Shalinili Mishra of Rajiv Swagruha, Dr Manmohan Singh Chief Secretary Govt of AP Housing, and others spoke. Sheilu Sreenivasan explained in detail how the senior citizens community is a totally neglected lot. When speaker after speaker spoke of a warm welcome, it was indeed a very hot welcome, as Sun was not at all favorable to any.

 

The expo was targeted at 30 million elders who need and can pay on their own, for customized services & products specially designed for this age group. It was dominated by Real Estate big wigs developing gated communities like: Saket, Covai properties, Paranjape / Athasri, Dignity, Concept Homes etc. Some finance related firms like Ing Vysya, Canara -Oriental Bank, Bajaj Allianze, SBH, SBI etc also had their stalls. In heath sector only Vasan Eyecare and in Mobility Devices only one company - Callidai Motors (motorized wheel chairs) took part. Second career sector (in which I was most interested) was conspicuous by its absence altogether.

 

Perhaps because the Expo was intended for the rich and affluent group of senior citizens, it was in a held in a star hotel in Banjara Hills. I understood that about 300 persons visited the expo.

 

 Story filed by Dr P Vyasamoorthy

  

Thanks TO VR V Rao for this news.

Will senior citizens learn to use Mobile ? Laptop effectively?

Railways make online travel easier

K. BALCHAND

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No more do you have to carry your ticket to travel in the reserved compartment of a train now provided you have booked it online.

With immediate effect, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) is doing away with the need to carry a printed copy of the e-ticket for its 3.5 lakh passengers who book their tickets online daily.

All that you have to show now is the SMS you have received as acknowledgment of purchase of the ticket from IRCTC on your mobile phone to the ticket examiner on the train.

In case you are carrying a laptop, showing the e-mailed ticket will be sufficient proof.

IRCTC officials said the new move would help save at least 3.5 lakh sheets of paper daily, serving the cause of the environment.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/article2550264.ece

V.RAGHAVENDRARAO,

OLD-AGE PENSION UP BY FIVE HUNDRED RUPEES IN NEW DELHI

IGNOAPS increased in Delhi

 Old-age pension up by Rs 500

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 17
The Delhi Cabinet has decided to hike the monthly pension of those citizens who are 70 or above. The pension has been increased by Rs 500 per month. The hiked pension will be released from October 1.

While talking to the media persons after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit stated that her government is concerned about the hardships being faced by persons in the age group of 70 years and above. The government has been providing a monthly pension of Rs 1,000 per month to the citizens in the age group of 60 years and above, who have been residing in Delhi for five years and have an annual family income less than Rs 60,000.

Delhi has a distinction of disbursing the highest monthly income to the aged persons in the country. The pension is being sanctioned under the Old Age Financial Assistance Scheme of the Department of Social Welfare.

Dikshit added that the benefit of the hiked pension will reach to more than 1.60 citizens in the age group of 70 years and above. The city government will be releasing an additional budget allocation of Rs 34 crore to meet the enhanced liability. Presently, 3,61,987 beneficiaries are listed under the scheme.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20111018/delhi.htm#11

Sender:  
V.RAGHAVENDRARAO,

AN EXPO FOR THE ELDERLY IN HYDERABAD - Dignity

An expo for the elderly

BS Reporter / Chennai/ Hyderabad October 18, 2011, 0:22 IST

Hyderabad is set to host an exhibition of products and services that are specifically designed for senior citizens aged 50 and above. Organised by Dignity Foundation, a Mumbai-based non-governmental organisation, the Retirement India Expo-2011 will be held at Hotel Taj Deccan in the city on October 22 and 23.

The first-of-its-kind exhibition would have 30 stalls offering information on financial services, housing solutions, post-retirement job opportunities, utilities like wheelchairs and other aspects that are of interest to the senior citizens.

Announcing the event to the media on Monday, Dignity Foundation president Sheilu Sreenivasan said there were 97 million senior citizens in the country of whom around 60 million were poor while the rest have purchasing capacity. The event is meant for the latter group.

"Many of them want to continue to work even after retirement. They show interest in jobs like supervisor, accountants, managers etc. We have been able to find jobs for 114 people this year," she said.

The free expo had been organised at Chennai, Bangalore, Pune and Mumbai over successive weekends since September 10, and had attracted a total of 44,000 people. Organisers expect to see around 5,000 visitors to the Hyderabad round of the event.

The event's sponsor, Pune-based Paranjape Schemes (Construction) Ltd is scouting for land in Hyderabad to build housing units designed for the elderly.

"Hyderabad has a lot of people who have migrated abroad, and have shown interest in this kind of housing solutions," said the company director (projects & business development) Suresh Bhagwat.

It had already sold 1,500 units in Pune and 180 in Bangalore, and plans similar projects at Hyderabad and Chennai in the next one year, and later in Goa and Ahmedabad.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/an-expo-forelderly/452831/

--
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Gated Community for Senior Citizens in Chennai

Gated Community for Senior Citizens in Chennai

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/gated-community-for-the-elderly/193809-60-120.html

CHENNAI: Serene retirement communities, developed by Coimbatore-based relators COVAI Property Centre, has launched a gated community called Serene Adhinath in Vandalur on the southern outskirts of the city. The company is partnering with Adhinath Foundation to provide an alternative to old age homes.

Col A Sridharan, Managing Director, Covai Property Centre, said life rejuvanates after retirement and elderly people must come out of the age-old belief of following certain traditions. "As a part of our assisted living project, we offer villas and apartments for people above the age of 50 with a starting price of 20 lakhs for a single BHK flat of 600 sqft."

Also in the offering are two and three BHK flats with 24x7 security and assistance for elderly people willing to lead their lives with a little assistance, he added.

The company has developed retirement gated communities in Coimbatore and Puducherry. With plans to expand beyond Tamil Nadu, the company proposes to set up communities in Sri City near Tada, Hyderabad, Mysore, Pune, Vadodra and Goa by the last fiscal quarter of 2012.

==========

Dr P Vyasamoorthy, 30 Gruhalakshmi Colony Secunderabad 500015 Ph 040-27846631 / 9490804278.My blog: http://vyasa-kaaranam-ketkadey.blogspot.com/
Have you seen the revised website of AISCCON? http://www.aisccon.org/

Dr. Padmanabha Vyasamoorthy Nominated for UNV Karmaveer Chakra 2011 "Exceptional work for Senior Citizens" : 5 nominees announced

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Sailesh Mishra <sailesh2000_2000@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, Oct 13, 2011 at 6:00 PM
Subject: [sss-global] Dr. Padmanabha Vyasamoorthy Nominated for UNV Karmaveer Chakra 2011 "Exceptional work for Senior Citizens" : 5 nominees announced
To: sss-global@yahoogroups.com
Cc: Silverinnings@yahoogroups.co.uk, People for Social Cause <people4sc@gmail.com>

National Award UNV Karmaveer Chakra 2011 "Exceptional work for Senior Citizens" Promoted by iCONGO "KARMAVEER PURASKAAR (KVP)", VSO & Silver Inning Foundation - organisation working with Elderly announces its nominees. This  year the Award will be given In Delhi or Goa on 26th or 27th November 2011. Eligibility for this award was Any Individual, person of Indian Origin of minimum age of 25yrs and above, who is working with/for Senior Citizens ; Currently working / current project in Age care, on date of nomination  and Worked on the project minimum 3 yrs OR Social Entrepreneur/ Innovator for Age care. Best person will be selected by Panel of National Jury and by Public Vote .

 

 

Following Five Nominees were selected from all over India:

                                             
1) Dr. Padmanabha Vyasamoorthy , Age 70yrs from Hyderabad is First Rank First Class in BLib Sc & MLib Sc and has Best Thesis award for PhD. He is President: Society for Serving Seniors, Secunderabad , State Vice President: Andhra Pradesh Senior Citizens Confederation , Joint Secretary: Confederation of Cantonment Resident Welfare Associations in Secunderabad (CCRWAS) , President: Association of Senior Citizens, Hyderabad , Member: Alzheimer's and Related Disorders Society of India . Hyderabad Chapter. He is also Recipient: AP State Award (2007) for Service to Senior Citizens . He has about ten years of post retirement experience in Ageing and Aged Care Issues; He has contributed immensely to the literature of social gerontology , His services to senior citizens has already been recognized by Andhra Pradesh State Government in 2007; He is also respected for his knowledge in usage of Information Technology specially for starting and working as moderator of World most active yahoo group for Senior Citizens SSS Global.

 

                                        
2) Mr. Mansukhlal Ruparelia , Age 77 yrs live in western suburbs Mira Road (Mumbai) and has done B.A.; B.Com and is Rashtra Bhasha Ratna. He is members of leading Senior Citizens NGO's and himself is a One-Man NGO and RTI activist . For last 17yrs has been working very hard for Welfare of Senior Citizens.  He is the person, who with his continuous RTI and correspondence writing changed the thinking of Ministry of Social Justice and most of  Central Ministries towards Elders with regards to National Policy of Older Persons, 99  and getting a ruling from Chief Information Commissioner to ``provide a suitable response in respect of action taken for implementation of the Policy on the welfare of the senior citizens and to clearly outline the plan of action indicating its outcome for the larger benefits of the Society.``  His large number of Articles in AISCCON NEWS, Dignity Dialogue, Voice of Dignity, DNA Grandeur and in his Blogs & Karmayog & other Web Sites have done exceptional service to the Senior Citizens. He has taken up various issues of Welfare of Senior Citizens and non adoption of NPOP, 99 by State of Maharashtra with State Government, Chief Minister and other Ministers, Governor, Municipal Corporations at Mumbai, Navi Mumbai & Mira-Bhayander. For Senior Citizens Transport problems he has taken up matter with Transport Ministry, Transport Commissioner, Bandra & RTOs. Due to his successful intervention he was able to get Separate queue for Senior Citizens in Post Offices and Hospitals including Railways. 

 

                           
3) Mrs.Manju Bhatia, Age 60yrs lives in Kanpur is as Active social Worker and Chairperson / President of Swaraj Vridhha Ashram . At the age of 13,  ( 1964) she was awarded "Lady with lamp " for helping underprivileged women by the Government of West Bengal.  Ms. Manju Bhatia is a compassionate person dedicated to betterment of society. A tragic personal life has spurred her compassion.  She was widowed in 1987, at 36 with two young children.  She is involved in a variety of social work. Since last 4 years she has established and successful running a free Old Age Home near Kanpur. All services are provided free by a host of local philanthropists and herself.  She is providing a much needed service and is a Karamveer in the true sense; Her "Swaraj Vridhdhashram" Since inception has helped 85 destitute and helpless seniors. This ashram takes care of the inmates till the end with proper last rites. Currently there are about 40 adults and 7 children in the ashram. She offers shelters to all flotsam and jetsam  of  society. She is also a Special police officer , family courts , Kanpur ; President , Asha Jyoti seva samiti ; Secretary , Voice of Victim, Secretary and associated with various social organizations.

 

                                          
4) Mr. Sandip Parab , Age 38 yrs live is northern suburb Vasai near Mumbai, he has done his B. A ,  M. S. W ( Rural Development) . Sandip is Secretary of Jeevan Aadhar Seva Sanstha . He has around 11 years experience in development  Field whihc includes his work on HIV AIDS, Work with Street Children and community development , Providing education sponsorship more than 300 children and Rehabilitation of more than 350 homeless people including Elders . For around four years has has been working more with Senior Citizens as he noticed there was little done for specially poor and homeless Elderly  . His NGO Jivan Adhar Seva Sanstha provides shelter for destitute at Khar (West) and Kudal (Ratnagiri)  aims to rehabilitate homeless people including senior citizens. In this course of his work he has realize that due to large number of destitute it is not possible to accommodate all of them hence they provide treatment in the place they are found and monitor their progress regularly. Mr Parab and his team of volunteers on receiving call visit the place and decide on the line of action depending on the condition of the affected person.  As on Sep 2011 they have rehabilitated 154 elder people who had lost their memory and were physical and mentally handicapped. He through his NGO provided counseling to around 24 Family to take back their elderly parents in family.
                                   

 

5) Dr. Om Prakash , Age 38 yrs  lives in New Delhi. He is MD (Psychiatry) with specialization in  Geriatric Psychiatry and he is working as Associate Professor of Psychiatry  at Institute of Human behaviour & Allied Sciences (IHBAS), New Delhi. Dr. Om Prakash's major research focus has been to explore the psychiatric disorders in elderly population having co-morbid medical disorders. Physical morbidity in elderly people has an important influence on their psychological well-being leading to a substantial burden of psychiatric disorders. More than one-fourth of elderly approaching for a physician's consultation suffers from psychiatric disorders i.e. depression, dementia and anxiety disorders. This morbid population has a significant association with exposure to more recent stressful life events. Dr. Om Prakash's work has thus provided vital insights about the fact that mental disorders are common among medically ill elderly patients, but they are poorly recognized and treated. Assessment of the psychiatric morbidity will help in strengthening psycho-geriatric services and thus, improve the quality of life of the elderly. Dr. Om Prakash has to his credit Over 140 journal articles, book chapters and abstracts and 5 Research projects completed and ongoing. He has conducted More than 20 Training workshops for doctors on dementia and geriatric depression. He is also associated with Nightingale Medical Trust, Bangalore on Dementia awareness and treatment programmes.

 

You can Vote for best one for award , at : http://www.righteverywrong.com/Karmayuga/Causes_Entries.aspx?ci=6

 

 

Read in Details here : http://silverinnings.blogspot.com/2011/10/nominee-announced-for-unv-karmaveer.html 

 

 

 

Warm Regards,
Sailesh Mishra
Founder President - Silver Inning Foundation
Founder – ARDSI Greater Mumbai Chapter

 

OLD-AGE PENSION HIKED FOR THOSE WHO CROSS SEVENTY FIVE YEARS

Old-age pension hiked for those who cross 75

New Delhi: Old-age pensioners attaining age of 75 and above in the city will get monthly pension of Rs 1,500 instead of existing Rs 1,000. 

Announcing the enhancement in monthly emoulments, Social Welfare Minister Kiran Walia, however, said people in the age bracket of 60 and less than 75 will continue to get Rs 1,000 old-age pension monthly.

Delhi government currently pays old-age pension to around three lakh senior citizens in the city. To become eligible to get the pension, a senior citizen's annual income should not exceed Rs 60,000. 

The decision to enhance the pension for people who have attained 75 years of age was decided at the first meeting of the recently constituted State Council for Senior Citizens. 

Walia said government will soon constitute district senior citizens committees in all nine districts.

These committees will be headed by the Deputy Commissioners of the respective districts and its members will include Deputy Commissioner of Police and a district welfare counsellor besides two nominated members from the senior citizens. 

"The committees will oversee implementation of various welfare measures for the senior citizens," Walia said. 

Walia, who was appointed chairperson of the state council, said it has decided to create about nine posts of district welfare counsellors and one post of chief coordinator in social welfare department to coordinate with district committees to implement various schemes meant for senior citizens. 

She said that volunteers of National Service Scheme in the universities and colleges would be involved for extending help to senior citizens like taking them to hospitals when required. 

http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/old-age-pension-hiked-for-those-who-cross-75_735025.html

--
V.RAGHAVENDRARAO,

18/301,PRIYAMANGALA PRESIDENCY  APARTMENTS,

M T P  ROAD, THUDIYALUR,

COIMBATORE-641034. INDIA.

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PROVIDENCE OF GOD - WORLD ELDERS DAY

World elders day

Twilight years caring, an art

The moment the old man manning the gate opens it, one enters a totally different world of giving, loving, caring, compassion and serene smiles. As the world celebrates World Elders Day today (October 1), the Little Sisters of the Poor, the care givers, with selfless devotion, kindness are a lesson to humanity in how to treat elders, writes a completely humbled N Niranjan Nikam

He had just then cremated his aunt and was back in the place, where she had breathed her last peacefully. Tears streaming and with a look of gratitude, Venkatesh, who knew as much to give as to receive said, "my aunt Narayanamma who was more than a mother to me, as I had lost my mother at a young age, looked after me in spite of poverty.  Today, after much struggle, I found this home for the aged and she lived just for ten days here and died. But she died a death of dignity and I am eternally grateful to these sisters." Stories like this abound in all the old age homes around the world run by the Little Sisters of the Poor. And the one on Mahadevapura Road, Gandhinagar is no different.  A life of dignity is what everyone looks for. Making the elderly happy is what counts, said the founder of Little Sisters of the Poor, Jeanne Jugan. The self-effacing sisters follow these words to the letter and spirit, and the result is there for everyone to see in the Old Age Home, that they run with such devotion, love and care. This home was started in 1971 and today houses 135 residents. "To run this home, we totally depend on the 'Providence of God.' Two Little Sisters go out every day and meet people to request help," said a sister who refuses her name to be written. The home here is only for the people aged above 65, who are poor and abandoned. And they come in all ways. "There was this woman who brought an old man. He was tall and so was the woman. She said that she had found him on the road and asked for help.  When I questioned her, she blurted that her husband who was drunkard, refused to keep her father at home and she used this ruse to bring him. However, we had no choice but to send him back," said a sister. There are as many men as women. Many of them have been staying for years. There is one Mangalamma who will be celebrating her hundredth birthday next year. Each one is given a vocation that he or she is interested in. Joseph Purushottam, 71, a paralytic is one such who entertains the inmates with his singing and playing the cymbal. "I met MGR ( M G Ramachandran, former chief minister of Tamil Nadu and the yester year  super hero of the Tamil films) as a eleven year old in Madras and even managed to get Rs 6,000 from him. I blew up the money in three years.  Today, I have no regrets because God has destined that I have to be this way," he said with a toothless smile. "I had just then joined the congregation. We have to beg everyday for vegetables and fruits. It was a humiliating experience for me in the market, when a vegetable seller threw just one brinjal at me mockingly. But the sister who was with me asked me to bear it. Today, the same man gives lots of vegetables," said a sister with a beatific smile. The difference between the elderly men and women is, the men do not express their needs, while the women do.  "However, what ever is happening round the world is shared with us by these men who listen to the radio or watch television," said another sister  The notice board in the old age home always reads people hosting breakfast, lunch or dinner.  An elderly couple had just then come with a bagful of loaves of bread, milk and bananas.  "Sadly, we do not have volunteers from colleges and schools like in our other homes and we only wish more come to understand the world of the aged," said a sister, even as they were making preparations for the burial of a 95 year old lady who had just then passed away. Anybody can host lunch, breakfast or dinner for birthdays, death anniversaries and other occasions in their loved ones names and donations can also be made.  Make yourself free, visit the home today. For details please call 0821 2455017 or 9611791424.

-- http://www.deccanherald.com/content/194796/twilight-years-caring-art.html

V.RAGHAVENDRARAO,

18/301,PRIYAMANGALA PRESIDENCY  APARTMENTS,

M T P  ROAD, THUDIYALUR,

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Older people are happier in Brazil and South Africa

Contrary to belief, older people in South Africa and Brazil become happier as they age. New research suggests that, with the right policies in place, a developing country can significantly improve the wellbeing of its older citizens.

The average levels of wellbeing experienced by older people in South Africa and Brazil improved between 2002 and 2008, due to a combination of economic growth and enlightened social policies, according to a study from the New Dynamics of Ageing Programme, a unique collaboration between five UK Research Councils.

"Our work contradicts many of the assumptions people have about the fate of older people in developing countries," said Professor Armando Barrientos, Research Director at Manchester University's Brooks World Poverty Institute. "It's often assumed that people will become poorer and increasingly unhappy with life as they become old, but in South Africa and Brazil the opposite seems to have happened," he said.

The research explored the factors that influence wellbeing among the elderly populations of the two countries. Brazil and South Africa were chosen because of their far-reaching social policies. "They are leading countries in their respective regions, with innovative social policies addressing poverty and vulnerability, such as child and disability benefits, low interest loans for the elderly and non-contributory pension schemes," explained Professor Barrientos.

This large study included a survey of around 1000 households. When the new data was compared with data collected in 2002, it suggested wellbeing had improved and that the majority of older people in the two countries felt satisfied or very satisfied with their lives. A majority of older people in each country also said they were satisfied with their relationships with other family members and with the respect they received from others.

The improvement in wellbeing was strongly influenced by economic performanceand labour market conditions, but social policy also played a significant role. For low-income families, the pension income received by elderly people was essential to both their objective standard of living and their feeling that that life was getting better.

"The research has important lessons for policymakers in the developing world", says Professor Barrientos. "Populations in the developing world are growing much faster than they did in the countries that we now consider as developed" he said. "That means governments in these nations have far less time to deal with the challenge of an ageing population, and they cannot just copy the policies used in developed countries."

There are lessons for the developed world too, he believes. "Many countries in the developed world have been moving towards the idea that the state should provide only a minimal pension", he said. "But our research suggests governments might want to think more carefully about the wider social value of decent state pension provision."

Provided by Economic & Social Research Council (news : web)

--
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MORE ATTENTION SHOULD BE PAID TO THE SENIOR CITIZEN'S MENTAL WELL BEING

Mental well-being of the elderly matters: experts

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/article2506155.ece

Speakers at a session on 'Ageing Kerala - A Challenge,' organised on World Elders' Day on Saturday, said that while the population of the elderly was going up steadily, society was ill-prepared to take on the challenges of caring for them. The session was organised by Kerala Social Security Mission and Public Health Students' Forum of Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies.

Now, while the focus was more on better healthcare for the elderly, more attention should be paid to their mental well-being. They were haunted by isolation, depression, low self esteem and economic insecurities. Community initiatives, especially the involvement of youngsters, were needed to improve their lot, it was said.

Biju Mathew, who is heading the Kerala chapter of Help Age India, said that abuse of the elderly was a major issue in the State. Most of the elderly abuse is 'hidden' and in many homes, the care of the elderly ended with provision of food and medical care.

M.R. Rajagopal, the chairman of Pallium India, said that all that the elderly needed was a helping hand and a willing ear to listen. Palliative care was an essential part of caring for the elderly. Often, the physical discomforts faced by the elderly – aches, problems of digestion or diarrhoea – are ignored by the family, Dr. Rajagopal said.

Vijayakumar, professor of Community Medicine, said that because of gender discrimination, widowhood and financial dependence on children, old age is a more painful period for women. Most of them cannot go out alone and the lack of social interaction make elderly women more vulnerable to abuse also.

Srikanth P. Krishnan, the secretary of Alzheimer's and Related Disorders Society, ssaid that dementia was set to become the biggest challenge soon. Social issues involved in caring for those with dementia needed special attention.

Managing diabetes and its complications, which form a chunk of the physical problems faced by the elderly, was dealt by Srijith N. Kumar, physician and IMA's district president.

Week-long programmes, with the active involvement of the elderly, are being organised by the Public Health Students' Forum.

--
V.RAGHAVENDRARAO,

18/301,PRIYAMANGALA PRESIDENCY  APARTMENTS,

M T P  ROAD, THUDIYALUR,

COIMBATORE-641034. INDIA.

9445306327  and

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KEEPING SENIORS SAFE IN THEIR HOUSE

Keeping seniors safe

Gajanan Khergamker | Oct 2, 2011, 05.50AM IST

**Accidents at home are a major cause for worry if you have elderly parents at home. Besides diminishing visions, senior citizens also have to deal with a dwindling sense of balance, touch, smell and memory. With seniors at home, homeowners are always advised to take special precautions to ensure a safer living environment. Listed below are some suggestions to eliminate household hazards that you could incorporate in your home. 

**The first thing you need to avoid in your home is the abundance of appliances, lamps etc that have long cords trailing over the floors. Tripping over cords is the number one reason for most senior accidents at home. 

**Before laying flooring tiles make sure they are of the non-skid variety. If you already have tiles that seem slippery, opt for thick carpets that provide more grip and also help cushion falls. 

**Place telephones and emergency telephone numbers in accessible areas preferably in all the rooms of a home. Or invest in a cordless phone or a mobile phone so that they can all you in emergencies . 

**In the kitchen make sure the area near the gas and the sink are well lit. Also place quality oven mittens rather than traditional potholders to provide seniors with a better grip on hot containers. Oven mittens also provide a level of safety against splatters and steam. 

**Ensure that no curtains, hand towels or napkins are placed over the gas stove. 

**Make a standing rule that liquid and grease spills are to be wiped away immediately . To ensure this, invest in a good quality mop and store it in the kitchen to make cleaning up more convenient. 

**If your home has a few steps make sure they are in a good condition and free of clutter. If possible install hand rails on one side of the steps to make traversing them easier. Bathrooms are always a danger area for seniors. 

**Invest in a quality and sturdy plastic chair that they can take along to the bathroom while bathing. 

**Ensure that all areas of your home are always well lit to make visibility easier. Preferably their own bedrooms should have light switches placed immediately near the door and also next to their beds to avoid them having to walk in the dark. 

**Ensure that a senior's bed is neither too high nor too low to make it easier for them to get in and out of bed. 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-toi/special-report/-Keeping-seniors-safe/articleshow/10202563.cms?prtpage=1

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IT IS A LONG WAIT FOR OLD-AGE HOMES IN AHMEDABAD

For spurned elders, it's a long wait for old-age homes

Ahmedabad Bhagwan Patel is 80 years old. He walked into "Jeevan Dhara", an old-age home on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, on September 25, alone, and booked his final stay.

So full was this home that he returned to his village Peepli in Patdi taluka of Surendranagar with a token number — 41. The home authorities gave him this waiting list number and said it would take at least three months before there was a vacancy.

Ahmedabad has around 35 old-age homes and the list of people waiting to get accommodation there is growing. The increasing number of elders who are being spurned with growing nuclear families has become a matter of concern as the world celebrates "International Day of Older Person" on October 1.

Similarly, Bhagwat Shah (70) is number 30 on the waiting list of "Jeevan Dhara" home located in Lambha village outside Ahmedabad. Shah belongs to city's Ramol area and registered his name on June 12, 2011. The home gave him a five-month waiting period.

Jeevan Dhara has 30 inmates of which 10 are women. This home has one of the longest waiting lists of 45.

"Mostly, we have inmates who were thrown out of their house by their daughter-in-laws. The total strength of 'Matru Griha' is 66. We are running houseful and 15 aged women are on our wait list," said Anita Bhatt, the rector. She says the home takes no fee but the women contribute their services to the running of the home.

Jeevan Sandhya has 183 inmates of which 99 are women. Its trustee, Pharsu Kakkad, echoed Bhatt, saying most of them had been thrown out of their homes by their children.

"I'm here since 11 years. I came because it was my choice to leave the house. There were daily quarrels and my daughter-in-law did not want me to stay. I have three sons and one daughter. My sons never come to meet me but my daughter does. I think there shouldn't be any old-age home," said Rambha Trivedi, an 80-year-old inmate in Jeevan Sandhya.

Draupadi Manglani is 73-year-old and she has registered her name in Suvarna Mandir and is fourth on the waiting list. Her Dubai-based son booked her a place here because he cannot take her along. Manglani might have to wait two to three months to get admission in this home with 70 inmates and a waiting list of 10.

"We have around 34 women and 36 men. I think the old-age homes are necessary because there are elders who willingly come to stay here. Also, there are elder people whose kids are abroad. Though they have a bungalow to stay, but they can't live there for the fear of break-ins and other dangers," said Mahendra Goswami, the manager in Suvarna Mandir.

Krishnanand Kuniyal, a senior executive in NGO Help Age India, said, "The only way to cut down this waiting period is to provide counselling to people. Proper education should be provided to them so that they don't separate from their parents. We conduct workshops and try to educate people, especially young children."

-- http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/for-spurned-elders-its-a-long-wait-for-oldage-homes/854293/
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Reverse mortgage helps seniors

Reverse mortgage helps seniors

Buying a home is often the largest investment homeowners ever make. After this huge step, financial planning runs its course with hardly enough kept aside for retirement . And while some homeowners in their retirement may get lucky with responsible children others may not be that fortunate. Many leading banks have put up an ideal solution for such senior citizens in the form of reverse mortgage. 

WHAT IT MEANS 

Under the reverse mortgage scheme, many senior citizens can now live independently without having to worry about their expenses. Through this scheme, any senior citizen generally above the age of 60 who holds a house or property but lacks a regular source of income can mortgage his/ her property with a bank or housing finance company (HFC) and the HFC makes regular payments to such a senior citizen in effect allowing the property to pay for the owners expenses. Such a loan is provided against self-owned and self-occupied homes. The loan amount can be received in monthly, quarterly or in lump sum payments. 

QUANTUM OF LOAN 

The loan amount would 90 per cent of the value of the property and it would include interest till maturity. Generally, the apprised value of the property is estimated by an officer employed or contracted by the HFC. Such an officer takes a number of features under consideration that include the market value of the property, the longevity and structural viability of the property, infrastructure and amenities provided, its maintenance etc. 

SAFEGUARDING SENIORS' INTEREST 

An important feature of such a scheme is that such a senior citizen and their spouse can continue to live in such a mortgaged property for life. A loan of reverse mortgage can be jointly given if the spouse is generally above fifty eight years of age. Neither the mortgagor nor his spouse needs to make any payments to the HFC during their lifetime. After the death of the borrower and consequently that of the spouse, the legal heirs have the first right to pay the reverse mortgage with accumulated interest to reclaim the mortgaged property. Both the borrower and spouse can continue to live in such a mortgaged property as long as they live even if they outlive the tenure of the loan sanctioned. The only hitch would be that they would not receive payments beyond the tenure of the loan. 

THE HFC'S ANGLE 

If you're thinking what the HFC gets out of it, the answer is that if the legal heirs do not want to reclaim the property, the HFC acquires the right to sell the property after the mortgagor or their spouse passes away as a way to recover the loan. Any surplus profits from such a selling are then passed on to the mortgagor's legal heirs. 
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-toi/special-report/Reverse-mortgage-helps-seniors/articleshow/10202533.cms

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NO LONGER RETIRED AND TIRED (SSS-Global mentioned)

THE TRIBUNE
Saturday, October 1, 2011, Chandigarh, India
Edition update time 2:30 am (IST)

NO LONGER RETIRED AND TIRED
An increasing number of elderly people are now socially connected,
highly involved, committed to social causes and open to new
experiences. They have redefined old age
Mala Kapur Shankardass
THE structure of Indian society is changing. Life expectancy at birth
in India today is 66.8 years, up by about four years since the turn of
this century and by 35 years since Independence. Significantly, women
are doing better with life expectancy of females at 68 years compared
to 66 years for men.

Celebrating the sunset years: October 1 is the International Day of
Older Persons. Photo: Manoj Mahajan
A large number of senior citizens in different parts of the country
today are living a life on their own terms. They do face problems, be
it related to health, finances or relationships but there is a zest
for enjoying the sunset years. Today's elderly display resilient
ageing, capitalising on their long experience of living to continue to
grow, learn and confront the challenges of ageing.
Many youngsters need to learn about coping with life from senior
citizens who have taken to learning, new technologies, new ways of
keeping themselves occupied - the rapid growth and success of senior
citizen associations all over the country as forums of friendship,
brotherhood, assistance, sharing, activities, and making friends on
the Facebook, purchasing products through the internet, doing
e-banking and overcoming their loneliness with emails, web photo
albums and search engines for jokes, information and sharing thoughts.
Kamla Malhotra (82) learnt the use of computers just a few years ago.
Bed-ridden for some time, she did not lose heart. She got back into
form by constantly being in touch with her children settled abroad and
communicating with other relatives. Her high spirits, positive
thinking, quite like many of her age, are very different from a
generation before. Having longer, fuller lives is part of the growing
number of seniors across the country.
Asha Shankardass took to writing for children at the age of 75, with
two of her books releasing in July this year in Mumbai and becoming an
instant hit with primary school-goers.
'Life's journey a reward itself'
Lt. Gen T. B. Nanda (retd) chose to pen down in 2008 his passions of
life spanning over 70 years. After retirement and achieving milestones
in his versatile life, he heads clubs, associations, organises
programmes for creating an environment conducive to growth. Encouraged
by his family members, he started working on the second edition of his
book, with the first edition sold out, going through a phase of losing
his beloved wife, but not his spirit to excel, remain disciplined and
be a role model for his children, grand-children and even colleagues,
relatives and friends. As General Nanda puts it, "Life's journey is a
reward, the essence lies in making a positive difference to lives of
as many beings as possible.''
Making a difference in a novel way is a retired librarian, Padmanabha
Vyasamoorthy is a blogger from Secunderabad. Having the profile of a
knowledge management adviser, he set up in 2002 an online discussion
group which was ranked 7th by Yahoo five years back as the most
vibrant discussion forum for senior citizens among the 1,300 similar
groups across the world. Sending out 2,000 to 4,000 messages a month
he co-opts seniors to the information revolution on health, housing,
finance, investment, taxation and many other ageing-related issues.
Having a gradually growing membership of educated seniors living in
India and abroad, his SSS Global interactive forum has noteworthy
inputs from many seniors on health, legal, social, psychology,
literature, history, economic, travel, recreation, politics,
environment and development aspects. Jokes, witty remarks, cheerful
episodes, nostalgic anecdotes are frequently part of messages sent
across. These are seniors finding time to research and exchange
matters on self-enrichment, meaningful participation in families,
communities and society. They are encouraging one another, providing
solace in circumstances of grief and being a unique support group as
part of society for serving seniors.
It is not just the educated, well-off older people in cities who are
exploring avenues for celebrating their later years. Those in
villages, small towns and having different income levels are also
trying to give a different meaning to their ageing. Champa from a
village in Uttar Pradesh now resides in Haryana with her ailing
husband and is going through problems after her adult children
deserted her, having a limited income, but the smile and the will to
face challenges are never missing.
When things go wrong
Bahadur Chand, an agricultural land owner, aged 90, is deeply involved
with farming techniques, village affairs and is respected for his
modern scientific thinking. He is often sought out by youngsters for
guidance. He is uncritical of others, patient and subtly shows a
different path for facing the world when things go wrong.
As we celebrate the International Day of Older Persons on October 1,
we need to applaud the increasing brigade of senior citizens who are
socially connected, highly involved and committed to projects and
causes, open to new experiences and are engaged in tapping their
strengths and regenerating capacities, which help them thrive in later
years. Their skills and abilities need to be valued.
The writer is an Associate Professor of Sociology, Maitreyi College,
Delhi University.
========

Free bus travel for senior citizens - Delhi

DTC buses make travel free for senior citizens

New Delhi: In a "gift" to lakhs of senior citizens on the eve of World Elders Day, the Delhi government today announced for them monthly DTC bus passes on payment of nominal Rs 50 for travelling in non-AC buses and Rs 150 for travelling in AC buses. 

There will be no income ceiling for issuance of the passes to senior citizens aged 60 and above. 

"The monthly passes will be issued to all senior citizens in the city and they will only have to provide proof of age to get it," Transport Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely said, adding the passes would be issued from tomorrow. 

He said the scheme is a gift to the senior citizens on the eve of tomorrow's 'World Elders Day'. 

Earlier, concessional bus passes were issued based on income ceilings to senior citizens. DTC has so far issued 4.5 lakhs passes to senior citizens based on the income ceilings. 

Lovely also announced extending free travel to blind persons in air-conditioned buses also in Delhi and NCR region. Till now blind persons could travel free only in non-AC buses. 

Noting that financial health of DTC has improved significantly after induction of the low floor buses, he said the daily average revenue collection has increased to Rs 3.5 crore against Rs 75 lakh a few months back. 

He said transport department was trying very hard to further improve the services of the DTC and as part of the efforts, global positioning system has been installed in all the low floor buses to track their movement and ensure adherence of the time table. 

-- http://zeenews.india.com/news/delhi/dtc-buses-make-travel-free-for-senior-citizens_734340.html

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