Puducherry - Helpage India Programme

NEWSLETTERAugust & September 2012Events of the Month:Active Ageing at Age Care- Puducherry:SCA annual game competitionAge Care – Puducherry is closely working with the SCA.There are 4 SCAs in Puducherry. As a positive sign,Pondicherry Senior Citizen Welfare Association isconducting their monthly meeting in our office from Feb2012. As a part of their annual day celebrations, theyhave conducted Chess, Carom in Age Care office on 8 thSeptember 2012. The game was coordinated by HelpLine Counsellor & ASH Assistant. Based on theparticipants, our staff made 3 teams (each three) andconducted the game event. The winner of the game willbe honored on their Annual Day meet.Puducherry SCA members interacted with Chief Executive of HelpAgeIndia:Age Care- Puducherry coordinated the “Asia RegionalEmergencies Meeting 2012” at Puducherry from 7 th to 9 thAugust 2012 in Hotel Annamalai International. On 9 thAugust 2012, the SCA members from the Puducherry metMr. Mathew, CE, HI, and discussed about the functions ofthe Puducherry centre. They also expressed their thanks toHelp Age India for their service & support to the elders.1 No. 13, Rue Arabindo, Puducherry- 1. Phone: 0413- 2222095

World Physiotherapist Day:The Physiotherapist day is being celebrated on 8 th September every year. Age Care –Puducherry, planned to celebrate the day with special focus on Geriatric Care. Age Care-Special Address by WelfareSecretaryPuducherry organized a one day workshop for thePhysiotherapists who are practicing in clinic.Objective of the workshop:ASH Physiotherapist has an important role towards thewellbeing of Sr. Citizen which they are not only providingthe treatment but also address the Sr. Citizens issues in theaspect of Socially, Psychologically. The ASH Physiotherapist is also concentrating inpreventive measures for their better aspect of ADL activities. The entire process is changingwhen a Sr. Citizen gets treatment in outside the clinic.Main Objective of the Workshop:• To explain the problems of ageing• To explain the need of geriatric aspect in the treatment• To sensitize the physiotherapist participation towards elder friendlyapproach & active ageing• To create awareness about ASH activities towards the wellbeing of elderlyThe workshop started with a warm welcome and brief note by State in Charge – Puducherry.Mr. Vivek Pandey, I. A. S. Secretary to Government (Welfare) has delivered special addressfor the workshop. There were 35 physiotherapist participated in the workshop.2 No. 13, Rue Arabindo, Puducherry- 1. Phone: 0413- 2222095

Sessions Information:Topic & Resource Person⇒ Orthopedic Problems inElderly- Dr. Jagadish Menon,Addl Professor cum I/C. Dept.of. Orthopedics, JIPMER,PuducherrySome Information from their PresentationAge related changes• Osteoarthritis: worn out joints• Osteoporosis: weak bones• Sarcopenia: decreased muscle mass• Ligament and tendon stiffness: Flexibility• Balance/Vision/Gait⇒ Debate on Chronic Pain- Mr.V. Senthilcoumar, MPT.Risk of GeriatricsPreventionDr. Adinarayanan, Asst. Professor,Department of Anesthesiology,JIPMER3 No. 13, Rue Arabindo, Puducherry- 1. Phone: 0413- 2222095

Outcome of the Workshop:• 13 physiotherapists expressed their willingness and signed advantage card programme• Accepted to provide elderly friendly atmosphere in their clinic• Expressed their willingness to release IEC materials which related to Active Ageingand Physiotherapist clinic guide in & around Pondicherry.A Right way to bring awareness about Parents Protection Bill amongElders & Community:An elderly person asking her doubt to theAdvocate in the legal awareness camp8 th August 2012, Age Care- Puducherry arranged aLegal Awareness Camp cum Physio Screeningcamp at Vambakeerapalayam. After a welcomeaddress, Mr. Abdul, Sr. Advocate, Legal ServiceAuthority (Govt. of. Puducherry) explained aboutthe nature & benefits of Parents Protection Bill andhe was also explained the functions of Legal Serviceauthority for the eligible people.Followed by that, Physiotherapist screened the elderly people and given instructions aboutbasic exercise to do at home to improve their ADL. There were 45 elders and communitymembers participated in the awareness camp and 22 elders screened in the camp.Healthy Ageing: Prevention is better than cureActive Ageing and Healthy Ageing is our oneof the main objective of the project. Age Care– Puducherry issued Master Health card for theSenior Citizen Association Members inassociation with Sri Manakula VinayagarMedical College & Hospital, Madagadipet-Puducherry. The card contains initial screeninginformation about the senior citizen. Based onBrief note on Health Card by State in Charge4 No. 13, Rue Arabindo, Puducherry- 1. Phone: 0413- 2222095

the screening and Doctors opinion, the elder will be involved for further test. Every sixmonths their health status would be updated for keeping the senior citizen healthy withawareness about their health. There is a separate column to update outside doctors treatmentplan in that card which is an added advantage of the health card. The Health Card operated inassociation with Sri Manakula Vinayagr Medical College & Hospital (SMVMCH),Madagadipet-Puducherry.As a first step, the health card was issued to Villiyanur Senior Citizen Association membersHealth Card issued by Chief Guest tothe SCA Members(VSCA). The VSCA has 180 members and theprogramme organized on 18 th September 2012 to dothe preliminary screening cum issuing the healthcard to the SCA members. State in Charge -Agecare explained the purpose of the card to themembers.The Health card was issued by the Chief Guest Mr.Natarajan, Ex. MLA of Villiyanur Constituency tothe SCA members. The initial screening has been done by the SMVMCH doctors.Fast & Better Access trough Microsoft LYNC:A half-a-day online training programme has been arranged about to know Microsoft LYNCapplication. The training programme scheduled on 6 th August 2012 at Tamaraikulam EldersVillage. Mr. Visnu Sharma, Sr. Executive from Head Office took the training through onlineand explained about the functions, utilities of the application. Puducherry, Cuddalore & TEVstaff attended the training programme.5 No. 13, Rue Arabindo, Puducherry- 1. Phone: 0413- 2222095

Virdh Rath – Part - IIIDOP’12 Event on 1st October at New Delhi and Heritage TourGroup Photo at Taj Mahal – One of the Seven Wonders of the World.Elders on Journey to discover India – Title from Deccan Chronicle makes true those 125Elders with Volunteers and Doctor Journey to New Delhi - Parliament, Haridwar, Rishikesh,Agra, Allahabad and Varanasi.Introduction:The Elders for Elders Foundation has about 7000 active elders under its fold inCuddalore, Nagapattinam Districts in TamilNadu and Quilon in Kerala. Elders have alsobeen reached through working with the Senior Citizens Associations and residents ofTamaraikulam Elders Village, Cuddalore. Various initiatives have been taken to improvetheir quality of life. However there still a large gap in providing care and support for theelders and to sensitize the government, media and general public on the issues and challengesfaced by them. It is therefore essential that their problems are brought to the forefront and6 No. 13, Rue Arabindo, Puducherry- 1. Phone: 0413- 2222095

highlighted to the policy makers and other officials concerned. Also these elders hail frompoor family backgrounds and have been striving hard all through their lives.They have a strong desire to visit a few of the heritage centers in the country andcould not do so due to un-affordability. About 135 senior citizens from Cuddalore,Nagapattinam, Puducherry and Quilon travelled from Puducherry to New Delhi via Chennaiby Puducherry – New Delhi train on 26 th September 2012 to participate in the InternationalDay of Older Persons on 1 st October 2012 at New Delhi.Objectives of the Tour:1. Participating in the World Elders Day Function at New Delhi.2. Disseminating Elders Issues through Media.3. Creating awareness on the issues and challenges of older persons.4. Providing a unique opportunity for the older persons to participate in a Pilgrimagevisit to some of the most significant heritage places.The Volunteers are Mr. Thayanithi, Sr. Executive, Mr. Manikandan, Age care Coordinator,Mr. Murugan, Councellor, Mr. Kiran Vijay, Manager, Mr. Karthik, Coordinator, Ms.Bhuvaneshwari, Animator, Mr. Kumaran, Mr. Prabu, Ms. Banumathi and Mr. M.R.Thirunavukarasu, Medical Officer from Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital.Mr. Venugopal Ramalingam headed the team. Credit for the success of the sojourn goes tothe unreserved enthusiasm and team work of the Volunteers.Mr. Rajeshwar.D, Head – Agecare and Emergency has taken special effort and maintainedconstant touch by enquiring the teams movement frequently and advising in the crisissituation. He has also given treat to all elders at New Delhi before their departure toAllahabad.Day – One: Started Journey on 26 thSeptember 2012.Elders assembled near Cuddalore –Agecare Office at Collector Camp Houseand were given a Warm send off by Mr.Rajendra Ratnoo, I. A. S., DistrictCollector, Cuddalore. He appreciatedHelpAge India for working withFederations and Senior CitizenAssociations as elders can make theirdemands on own to the policy makersand get their existing entitlements7 No. 13, Rue Arabindo, Puducherry- 1. Phone: 0413- 2222095

District Collector flagged off the Busfrom Cuddalore to Puducherry. Mr.Arunachallan, Senior Advocate,Managing Trustee, EfEF, Dr.Sathiyababu, Deputy Project Directorand Mr. Elango, Director, Elders forElders Foundation wished them safejourney.Elders were received atthe Puducherry RailwayStation by Dr. S.B.Deepak Kumar, I.A.S.,District Collector, andPuducherry. He greetedall the elders.. En-route to New Delhi the train arrived at theEgmore Railway Station, Chennai at 1 p.m. thesame day. Thiru. Thillai Natarajan, DeputySuperintendent of Police – Railways –received the Senior Citizens and interactedwith them. As a kind gesture, he handed overfruits and wished them safe and happyJourney for their proposed trip. Mr. P.R.Anbazhakan, Director – TN & Kar, HelpAgeIndia, Mr. Edwin Babu, Joint Director –Programs & Mr. Sivakumar, Joint Director– Resource Mobilizations and their teamjoined in welcoming the older persons andwished them safe journey.8 No. 13, Rue Arabindo, Puducherry- 1. Phone: 0413- 2222095

Wide Media Coverage: Before the event, press meet was conducted in Puducherry andCuddalore. On 26 th Sep’12 at Puducherry Railway Station, Sun TV and Jaya TV broadcastedthe event all over the world. The Hindu, Deccan Chronicle covered the news in English andalmost all local news channels and Tamil Dailies covered the news for not only this regionbut also for entire Tamil Nadu. Head – Project Management Office has given interview inthe Sun TV and almost all local news channels about the Charter of Demands.The few clippings as follows:9 No. 13, Rue Arabindo, Puducherry- 1. Phone: 0413- 2222095

Day – Three: Haridwar – Mansa Devi Temple, Rope Car Travel, Ganga Bath and Ganga HartiDharsan.After 42 hours on the Train,Elders are alighted at NewDelhi Railway Station andproceeded to Haridwar.Elders had a comfortablejourney from New DelhiRailway Station toHaridwar by Bus.Taking Food at Punjab & SindDharmasala situated on thebanks of Ganga River. Eldershad Holy Dip both in theevening and Morning; thestay on the banks of the holyRiver Ganga amidst Scenicbeauty gave immensesatisfaction and happiness tothe Elders.10 No. 13, Rue Arabindo, Puducherry- 1. Phone: 0413- 2222095

Ganga Harti at Haridwar. Initially all eldersvisited Mansa Devi Temple by Rope Car. Itis a different experience for the elders andGanga Devi Temple and had dharsan ofGanga Harti. It is a life time experience toevery participant. It is a herculean task forthe Volunteers to keep an eye on the 125elders in the multitude that thronged theHarti. The elders emerged without anymishap due to the vigilance and specialstrategies of the volunteers.Day – Four: Rishikesh - Ram Jula, Lakshman Jula and TemplesElders’ cooperation is to behighly appreciated. Theymaintained queue everywhereand followed the instructions ofthe Volunteers in the CrowedPlace.Ram Jula. At one pointof time our elders withYellow T. Shirt andWhite Cap filled theentire span of RamJula. It was thesplendid Scenery.11 No. 13, Rue Arabindo, Puducherry- 1. Phone: 0413- 2222095

Day – Five: Taj Mahal is the World’s most popular and most beautiful building ever built. It is theSeventh Wonders of the World.Photo Fun atthe JoyfulMoment.Day – Six : Walkathon at India Gate, called on our President in a Function, visited both houses ofthe Parliament- the Lok Sabha and Raja Sabha at Sansad Bhawan located as Sansad Marg. Mr.Rajeshwar. D , Head – Agecare and Emergency hosted a special treat to all participants.Elders Participated in the Walkathon at India Gate. GroupPhoto at the Venue. Mr. Mathew Cherian, Chief Executive andMr. Anup Khosla, Financial Consultant welcomed participantsand interacted about the journey.12 No. 13, Rue Arabindo, Puducherry- 1. Phone: 0413- 2222095

Dr. Prannoy L Roy, Founderand Executive Co-Chairperson of NDTVinteracted with Sr. Citizensabout their tour.Parliament is the supreme legislative body in India founded in 1919. Our 135 Participantsgot special permission to see Parliament with the help of Mr. Narayanasamy, MOS, PrimeMinister Office, Parliamentary Affairs and Pension. It was really amazing to see Lok Sabha(House of the People), Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and Garden inside. Mr.Narayanasamy provided High Tea inside the Parliament.13 No. 13, Rue Arabindo, Puducherry- 1. Phone: 0413- 2222095

Day – Eight: Varanasi - Kasi Viswanathar temple, Kasi Vishalakshi temple and Annapoorni Temple+ Shopping.Out Come:From Allahabad Elders took a Bus to Varanasi. It was a journey of around 3 hrs. At 7.00 in themorning the visit to one of the oldest inhabited cities of the World and oldest in Indiacommenced. This city has been a center of culture and religion in India for thousands of years.The elders made a bee line to River Ganga River took a Holy Bath and performed rituals to theancestors.1. Active participation in the International Day of Older Persons at the National Capital hasgiven them a sense of honor and recognition2. Elders’ issues and needs disseminated to larger section of the society through print andelectronic media coverage.3. Spiritual needs of the elders met through visit to heritage sites.4. Enhanced motivation and self-worth of the participating elders.14 No. 13, Rue Arabindo, Puducherry- 1. Phone: 0413- 2222095

Advantage Card Programme:So far we have enrolled 500 Sr. Citizens in advantage card programme from Puducherryproject area. There are 300 Sr. Citizens information has been collected and web installing inthe process for those cards.Information on Associates:Sl. No Category Sub Category Name of Associates1 Health PhysiotherapySuresh PhysiotherapyClinic2 Health Physiotherapy Ram Physiotherapy Clinic3 Health Physiotherapy4 Health Physiotherapy5 Health Physiotherapy6 Health PhysiotherapyPondy PhysiotherapyClinicMother PhysiotherapyClinicGopi Physiotherapy &Fitness CentreSri JeganPhysiotherapyClinic7 Health Physiotherapy G.Komady8 Health Physiotherapy A.Prashanthi Anandhi9 Health Physiotherapy P.Bivianne10 Health Physiotherapy D.Vasantha Kumar11 Health Physiotherapy P.Raja Sekar12 Health Physiotherapy G.Janakiraman13 Health Physiotherapy J.Santhana Lakshmi15 No. 13, Rue Arabindo, Puducherry- 1. Phone: 0413- 2222095

Help Line Data- August & Sep ’12INFORMATION CALL/ QUERY - 198COUNSELLING - 05DISPUTES RELATED CALLS - 29VISIT TO OLD AGE HOMES/ VOLUNTEER SERVICE - 79MEDICAL ASSISTANCE - 28FINANCIAL SUPPORT - 25SHELTER ASSISTANCE - 36OTHER (WRONG & BLANK) - 27TOTAL - 427PHYSIO CARE DATA (August & September 2012)No. of. New Beneficiary: 32Male: 11 Female: 21Total No. of. Treatment Sessions (OP): 501Male: 431 Female: 70Total No. of. Treatment Sessions (OAH): 118Male: 7 Female: 11116 No. 13, Rue Arabindo, Puducherry- 1. Phone: 0413- 2222095

Media Coverage:Health Card Programme in DinakaranPhysio Workshop in DinamalarGame competition in Dinamalar17 No. 13, Rue Arabindo, Puducherry- 1. Phone: 0413- 2222095