key initiatives for elderly care

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Key initiatives for elderly care

Janaseva Foundation started this novel activity for the senior citizens aged 75 years and above at Navi Peth. Due to mobility problems faced by the elderly and to involve more elderly from different suburbs of Pune, foundation expanded this activity to Sahakarnagar, Aundh Road, Vishrantwadi, Phulenagar, Dhanakawadi, Kothrud, Vadgaonsheri, Suncity – Sinhagad road.

These clubs offer senior citizens avenue to meet other senior citizens from the same age group. Senior Citizens aged below 75 years can become volunteers and help in arranging various programmes / events. Each club has it’s monthly meeting wherein entertainment & educative programmes and lectures on various health topics are arranged . They also arrange outdoor activities. Each club is managed by its members and has an elected President, Secretary and Treasurer.

It was inaugurated on 9thNovember, 2009 by Dr. Narendra Jadhav, former member of Rajya Sabha and consists of an auditorium equipped with audio video equipment for conducting lectures and presentations, and has a library. It serves as a meeting place for the elderly from our old age homes and surrounding villages and for arranging informative lectures on various issues related to elderly. Celebrating festivals, Yoga classes, cultural and musical programs, bhajans are conducted regularly. Conferences and seminars are held. It was renamed Mrs. Kanchanben Hirabhai Shah (Chokhawala) Sanskrutik Bhavan on 28/12/2014 in presence of Pujya Acharya Shri Chandanaji.

Since 2002 every year foundation celebrates International Day of Older People referred to as Anand Melava with participation from various ministries and other organizations. It’s a day long get-together of more than 3,000 senior citizens from Pune and Maharashtra. The program includes breakfast, lunch, felicitation of 10-15 well known senior citizens who are aged 80 years & above and 100 years, entertainment programs, educative lectures and a spiritual discourse. Many dignitaries and experts participate and guide the senior citizens. Over the years Ministers from Central Govt. Chief Minister of Maharashtra, many Cabinet & State Ministers including governor of Maharashtra had participated in this event and guided the senior citizens.

June 15 is designated as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by the United Nations General Assembly. Janaseva Foundation along with the Department of Social Justice and Special Assistance, Government of Maharashtra, Elder helpline 14567, HelpAge India, FESCOM, ASCOP, Ekta Yog Trust, Pune Municipal Corporation, Mukund Madhav Foundation, Bharatiya Yog Sansthan, Navchaitanya Hasya Yoga Parivar, Senior Citizen Federation and various organizations from Pune city, Punyadham Ashram, Geriatric Society of India etc. organize a program for elderly wherein invitees  enlighten the audience on Elder Abuse and other related topics. Initially this programme was organized at Punya Dham Ashram in the presence of Chief of Ashram Pujya Mataji Kashyap and after 2 years it is being organized at Balgandharv Rang Manch.

With rising elderly population there is rising demand for care givers trained in Geriatric Care.  Janaseva Foundation conducts Geriatric Care Training courses of 4 months duration for 12th class passed youth through it’s Regional Resource Training Centre sanctioned by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India. Previously such courses were conducted jointly with Tata Institute of Social Sciences. After completion of training the successful candidates are awarded certificates and provided placement assistance.