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This is an archive article published on September 30, 2023
International Day of Older Persons: Elder abuse a pressing concern. Over 2 lakh calls on national helpline from Maharashtra
The Elder Line is a national helpline for senior citizens set up by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in collaboration with the National Institute of Social Defence and participating state governments.
Dr Vinod Shah, who is on the national advisory board of the helpline, told The Indian Express that in several cases they have referred the senior citizens to the local Bharosa cell. (File Image)
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International Day of Older Persons: Elder abuse a pressing concern. Over 2 lakh calls on national helpline from Maharashtra
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Elder abuse is a pressing issue and more than two lakh seniors have made calls from across Maharashtra on the national toll-free helpline 14567 in the last two and a half years.
The Elder Line is a national helpline for senior citizens set up by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in collaboration with the National Institute of Social Defence and participating state governments. The 14567 toll-free number not only provides free information and emotional support but also an intervention in cases of abuse and reunion of homeless elderly.
Dr Vinod Shah, on the national advisory board of the helpline, told The Indian Express that in several cases they have referred the senior citizens to the local Bharosa cell. Elder abuse can refer to both physical and mental harassment. During the Covid-19 pandemic they had registered more than 500 to 600 calls daily, Dr Shah said. “Across Maharashtra, there are at least a minimum 250 daily calls on the helpline,” Dr Shah who is also the founder of Janaseva Foundation, Pune and has been working towards improving the lives of marginalised communities for the last three and a half decades, with a particular focus on senior citizens.
Recently he was awarded Emerging Leader of the Year 2023 in Aging during the Global Conference on Aging in Glasgow, Scotland and on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons (October 1) celebrates the day with more than 3000 seniors from different parts of Pune and Maharashtra.
“This year we are celebrating the event on October 9 and 10 in collaboration with the Central and State Ministry of Social Welfare, PMC, various universities, institutions and senior citizen clubs,” Dr Shah said. A national conference on Aging will also be held in association with All India Senior Citizens’ Confederation (AISCCON).
At Janseva Foundation’s old age home – 40 kms away from Pune, around 200 senior citizens have found a home away from home. The stay for 150 seniors is free of cost and the foundation’s own healthcare facility offers treatment for conditions like paralysis, Parkinson’s and so on. At the foundation seniors are encouraged to take up several activities like learning new languages and activities like drawing and painting.
“Promoting a culture of respect and inclusion regardless of age is essential for fostering active ageing and to address these challenges, it is crucial to promote inclusion and empowerment of older persons. Older individuals should have the opportunity to continue contributing to society through work, volunteerism, and sharing their knowledge and skills with younger generations. That is way to keep them active,” Dr Shah added.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
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