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KERALANEWSLETTER Vol: 3, Issue: 2, July-September, 2012For Private circulation

From the Editorial Desk

Page No:1

“Meet & Greet Visit” to Old Age Home during Onam festival

Agecare Service Hub Kochi organized “Meet and Greet Visit” programme at Soukhya Sadan Old Age Home,

thChethikode on 24 August 2012 as a part of Onam celebrations. The entrance of the home was decorated with a traditional flower carpet [Athapookalam]. Elders too joined in preparing flowers. HelpAge staff dressed up in traditional dothi and kerala saree added color to the celebration. The function started with the game “Sundarikku Pottukuthal” in which the elders were blind folded and asked to put bindhi on the picture of a beautiful lady. This was followed by rendering of traditional onam songs by elders. The song by Mr. Xavier was really a mind blowing one. Mr. Biju Mathew, State Head of HelpAge India, greeted the elders and wished them all the happiness of the season. Prizes were distributed to the winners. ASH team also sang a traditional song for the elders. Towards the end payasam and banana chips were served. Superior of the home and the elders thanked HelpAge for organizing such a lively and interactive programme. According to the Old Age Home authorities this was the first time people from outside came to celebrate onam with the residents. The happy and jovial faces of the elders were a fitting tribute to the HelpAge initiative.

Elders happily preparing flowers for Pookkalam

(Floral Carpet)

Elders actively

participating in the games

A traditional song & dance performance

ASH Kerala Team

singing for the elders

A get-together of office bearers of Senior Citizen Associations (SCA) and daily

rdvisitors of ASH Centre was organized on 3 September 2012 as part of meet and greet visit. They happily joined to decorate the Agecare Service Hub frontage with flower carpet and enjoyed sumptuous traditional Onam Sadya (special onam lunch).

HI staff with SCA members

Enjoying traditional Onam Sadya

Empowering older people is one of the utmost aims of HelpAge India. Empowerment refers to the ability to make informed choices, exercise influence, make continuing contributions to society, and take advantage of services. These privileges are taken for granted by most, but often are not available to older persons for a variety of reasons, including poverty, poor health, low educational levels, lack of transportation and access to services, negative stereotypes about aging, and overt or subtle age discrimination. Yet empowerment is vital to the quality of life of older persons and the health of society on the whole if seniors are engaged and involved members of it.

The case of Smt. Saraswathyammal, aged 52, a regular student in the computer literacy classes conducted at AgeCare Service Hub (ASH), Kochi is a shining example of empowerment by availing the services and making good use of it. She was appointed as a receptionist in a dental clinic recently. The employer who is also a visitor to ASH Center offered her the job seeing her expertise in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power point and internet. The irony is that she had lost her earlier job due to lack of computer literacy. HelpAge has empowered her to face old age w i t h d i g n i t y ! T h e s u c c e s s o f Saraswathyammal has prompted many “elderly students” to use the computer literacy facility at the ASH, Kochi.

The above true life story proves that many elderly can be trained to carry out productive activities that would be useful to them or benefit their families, communities or environment; activities that others would often be unable or unwilling to do. Being meaningfully occupied, many of the elderly can be taught to keep boredom away.

Let us re-dedicate ourselves to the cause and care of older people and in creating an age friendly society as they have the right to be in charge of their own lives inspite of frailty, disability, isolation, financial circumstances or social attitudes.

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One of the most eagerly awaited movies of the year, 'Ustad Hotel', had made waves among the public with its powerful message on Intergenerational Bonding. The movie scripted by Anjali Menon narrates the bonding of an old man who runs a

hotel at the Kozhikkod beach with his grandson. Thilakan played the role of an aged man in the movie. Dulqar Salman, son of mega star Mammooty is the hero and Nithya Menon is the heroine of the feel good flick, which have a gang of youngsters in its cast lines. The songs 'Appangal Embaadum' and 'Vaathili' set to music by Gopi Sundar are chart toppers.

Mr.Venugopalan, YP(SP); Dr.Feby Mathew, Consultant Physiotherapist; and Ms.Athira.P.Mani, Helpline Counsellor, organized the SAVE programme of intergenerational bonding at St. Teresa's Mercy Home, Ernakulam along with the crew members of the Film. They had a wonderful interaction with the residents followed by song from the movie rendered by the original play back singer. Students of St: Antony’s H S S, Kacherippady entertained the grans and also livened up the mood of the gathered. Later the residents were served

thBiriyani - a speciality of the Ustad Hotel, by its crew. The press and TV channels were in full attendance. On 17 this program was telecasted in the following TV channels - Manorama Vision (7.30pm), Indianvision (8.30pm), Kairali People (8.30pm).

A Film on Intergenerational Bonding

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SCHOOL STUDENTS TO THE AID OF ELDERLY

The students of Correspondent of the school Mr. G. Rajmohan, handed over a

cheque for Rs.1 lakh to HelpAge India. Principal Mrs. Shilaja.O.R and 2 beneficiaries of HelpAge India were also present on the occation.

the students for their great support towards the cause of the elderly. Mr.Sino Antony, Sr. Manager of Help Age India coordinated the programme in the school.

Saraswathy Vidhyalaya Senior Secondary school, Thiruvananthapuram joined hands with Helpage India to support destitute grans.

HelpAge India, Dy.Director(Prog.) Mr. John E Daniell received the cheque and congratulated

Cheque Handing over ceremony

for ( ) Student Action Value VEducation SA E

School students in the morning assembly

Mr. John E Daniell, Dy. Director (Prog) addressing the

students

O CK L D for ( ) Student Action Value VEducation SA E

School students interact with adopted grans 34 students (22 boys and 12 girls) along with 3 teachers of Vidya Vikas School, Karukadom, visited the adopted grans of Pandara Colony near Karukutty, Angamaly under the SAVE programme on 29/09/2012. The students distributed the provisions and pocket money to the elders. They entertained the grans with variety programmes , distributed sweets and also interacted with the elderly.

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Smt. Saraswathyammal, aged 52, a regular student in the computer literacy classes conducted at Agecare Service Hub (ASH), Kochi got placed as a receptionist in a dental clinic. The job opportunity was offered by a visitor to ASH Center. The job offer was given after seeing the bio-data typed by her at the ASH Center. She had learned Micro soft Word, Excel, Power point and internet.

Previously Saraswathyammal lost job due to lack of computer literacy. Now the ASH Center empowered her to face oldage with dignity.

Empowerment through Computer literacy

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Page No: 4

Heritage Tour / Picnic st The 1 recreation tour during 2012-2013 organized by Kochi Age Care Service Hub

(ASH) for the senior citizens in and around Kochi was indeed an unforgettable experience for all participants. The tour was to Thrissur Art Museum, Zoo and Peechi

thDam. This was conducted on 19 of September, 2012. The trip started at 8:00 am from Ernakulam. 35 Senior citizens from Adarsh Colony, Kakkanad were the beneficiaries.

The trip started with a small prayer followed by chain of traditional songs by elders. Later they enjoyed a movie as many were not able to watch anything of their interest at home as grand children watch cartoon, sports, wrestling etc and ignore their grans demands. Latest comedy movie “Mayamohini” was played for themin the bus. Meanwhile sweets and light snacks were served.

The Thrissur Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the country, and home to the wide variety of animals, reptiles, and birds. The zoo compound includes a natural history museum and an art museum that showcase the socio-cultural heritage of the region. Wildlife at the Thrissur zoo includes tigers, lions, leopards, jackals, deers, monkeys, hippopotamus, emu, pelicans, peacocks, parrots, painted stork, goose, swan, tortoise, crocodile, mithun of the north-eastern hills, porcupines and lion-tailed macaques. There is also a special building which houses snakes [cobras, kraits, vipers, rat snakes]. Most of the elders were coming out of Ernakulam for the first time and they were excited to see the wild animals so closely. After visiting the zoological garden and museum, all headed to the well known Hotel Heritage Candles for a sumptuous lunch. The merry commotion inside the bus invited a lot of curious onlookers. The journey ended at 6.30 p.m and their beaming faces revealed that each and every one had the most satisfying trip in their life.

This program was very effective in addressing the raging issue of boredom among the older people. It also restored their self confidence. Encouraging the elders to take part in the various recreational activities, saw a significant improvement in their self worth and value, it also served as a platform to chisel their skills. The more active elderly are, the more likely they are to be satisfied with life, this was the major inspiration for taking up this program. For many elders the heritage tour organized by ASH, Kochi was first of its kind in their life as often the children prefer to travel without the parents. The tour has enabled them to mingle with their own age group and relive their past, forget the present and look forward to the future with hope.

T STI IALE MON

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HelpAge India is launching a new program – an affinity card for senior citizens.The HelpAge affinity card is called the AdvantAge card. An affinity card is a card which allows special privileges to a group of people – the card members. This program is being launched to benefit the retirees and would be retirees .The card members will be able to get more out of their retirement incomes and pensions.This card will try to give the card holders discounts on many products and services offered by the companies which had signed up with this program. The products and services include those which are of specific interest to the senior citizen groups, such as medicines, physiotherapy, hospitalisation, entertainment, clothing etc.

Mr. Joy Joseph, Managing Director of DDRC SRL Diagnostic Services Pvt Ltd handling over the ADVANTAGE CARD MOU to Mr. Biju Mathew, State Head (Kerala), HelpAge India

DDRC SRL Diagnostic Services" signed MOU

HelpAge India - AdvantAge Card

"DDRC SRL Diagnostic Services" signed MOU with HelpAge Advantage Card. DDRC SRL is India's leading diagnostic lab network and has 72 branches spread across Kerala; including a few in Tamil Nadu.

DDRC SRL will provide 15% discount on all Diagnostic tests (except SRL Mumbai and MYO Lab USA – send outs) to the ADVANTAGE CARD members.

Computer LiteracyMrs. Sheela and Mrs.Thulasi G Menon learning the basics of computer from Mr. Saiju C X, IT Coordinator. Computer literacy classes are meant to make elders computer friendly. Basic literacy includes e-mail, Microsoft word, Internet browsing etc. Presently there are seven regular “elderly students”.

Introducing

Dr. Feby Mathew, Physiotherapist, HelpAge India, Kochi sharing information on Advantage Card programme to members of Senior Citizens Association, Vytila. All the members happily received the Advantage Card Enrollment form and returned it within one week.

Advantage Card programme

K L DO CPHYSIO CARE SERVICES

JULY - SEPTEMBER 2012

Patients treated - ----- 42 Treatment sessions ----- 363Old age homes Visited ----- 4

Page No: 6

CASE STUDY

Mr. Paul P. F. 60yrs was suffering from shoulders pain and stiffness for the last 6 months, he was doing homely remedies and exercises regularly but there was no signs of improvement in the condition. It was difficult for him to perform overhead activities. Mr. Paul is a member of Senior Citizen Forum, Tripunithura, came to know about HelpAge India's Agecare Services Hub – medical consultation, physiotherapy etc. He consulted the Orthopedician at Age Care Services Hub and the doctor advised him to do physiotherapy for both shoulders and neck as he showed the signs of cervical spondylosis too. He was assessed in the physiotherapy centre and was given treatment for Periarthritis of shoulder. The treatment included SWD, US and manual shoulder manual mobilization. He was also taught shoulder active exercises which can be performed at home. Mr. Paul was also taught neck mobility and isometric exercises. After 7 treatment sessions, there was much improvement in the condition, his joint range of motion almost reached to the normal.

WORLD PHYSIOTHERAPY DAY

ASH Kochi organized an awareness talk for the members of Little Flower Senior Citizens Forum, thElamkulam as a part of World Physiotherapy Day on 8 September 2012. Around 35 elders attended

the programme. Col. A G Joseph president of the SCA welcomed the gathering. The topics covered were introduction to physiotherapy and the need of physiotherapy for elderly. The talk was lead by Mr. Feby Mathew, Physiotherapy Consultant, HelpAge India. Elders were eager to note down the exercises that can be performed in common geriatric ailments like diabetes, hypertension, periarthritis, stroke etc. For many it was an opportunity to understand more about physiotherapy and its necessity in old age. Many have agreed to come to ASH Kochi for further treatment. The session was over by 5:15pm.

Elders Helpline (1800-180-1253)HELPLINE CALL DATA

H

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Cumulative

Information / Data query - 29Distress / Rehabilitation - 2Counseling - 2Physio Care - 21Shelter Assistance - 10Property Dispute - 6Advice/ Support - 2Assistive Device - 3Abuse/Violence - 2Financial Help - 3Legal Help - 2Official calls - 44Blank calls - 20Wrong calls - 5Others - 55Incoming follow up - 59

Total - 265

July-September, 2012

Information/data query - 12Distress/Rehabilitation - 1Physio care - 13Shelter Assistance - 8Property Dispute - 4Advice/ Support - 2Assistive Device - 3Abuse/Violence - 2Financial Help - 3Legal Help - 1Volunteer Service - 4Official calls - 14Blank calls - 8Wrong calls - 2Others - 27Incoming follow up - 38

Total - 142

Case study

Ms. Sosamma aged 74 is a widow and is suffering from Asthma. Her husband died 38 years ago and she has 3 children, 2 sons and a daughter. After her husband's death she looked after the children with great difficulty. When they were married she partitioned the house and 24 cents between her children. 8 cents were given to daugher, house and 5 cents to elder son and remaining 11 cents of property to younger son. Later she met with an accident and was hospitalized. After she was discharged she had difficulty in walking. The sons refused to take care of her and she is now with her daughter who is economically backward than the brothers and is finding it hard to make both ends meet. The case was referred to our Helpline.

The Counsellor met Sosamma and spoke to her daughter too. She wants some of the property back or maintenance from her sons to meet her basic needs. The Helpline Counsellor has helped her to file the application of Maintanence & Welfare of Parents and Senior citizens Act -2007 and is following it up for speedy redress.

Case Study-1Mr. George Lawrence,70 years paralysed after a stroke 8 months back and was bed ridden since then. It was very difficult for the family members to shift him or cleaning him although he was under physiotherapy treatment. His family friend knew about HelpAge India’s Assistive devices service and requested for a wheel chair so that he can be moved around in the house.

Case Study-2Mr. Narayanan T K, 64 years was suffering from Chronic Renal

failure.Both his lower limbs were very weak so he couldn't walk or move around in the house without a support. Each time the family members had to carry him to the hospital for check up or dialysis. His wife Janaki heard about Helpage ASH assistive devices services and he requested for a walker for easy mobility. The walker was handed over to her on 31/07/2012.Now he is able to move around in the house without much support.

Distribution of Assistive Devices

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Screening Camp for Elders

ASH Kochi organized a Health Screening Camp for the members of OASIS Senior Citizen Forum at Athani. An awareness programme on General Diseases and Life Style Diseases was also organized as part of the screening.

Dr. Andsee Anand, Chief Medical Officer from Geriatric Solutions was the resource person for the awareness programme. He explained about General Diseases as well as the Life Style Diseases which affects the elderly. The participants cleared their doubts in the interactive session. Following the awareness programme, screening tests for Blood Sugar, Uric Acid, Nervous System function and Body Mass Index (BMI) was conducted. More than sixty older people attended the screening camp. The ASH team as well as volunteers from OASIS assisted the elders during the tests. Many elders were found to be in need of regular medical checkup and were advised the same. The elders whole heartedly thanked HelpAge for the programme and appreciated the activities under the ASH.

Livelihood Seed Capital distribution for ESHGs at KottayamThe distribution of livelihood seed capital for the ESHGs was conducted at Kottayam Social Service Society, Thellakom on 18th August 2012. Rupees 3,29,000 was distributed to 14 ESHGs, which got permission from Ministry of Home Affairs. The function was inaugurated by Mrs. Radha V Nair,

Kottayam and Mrs. Sandhya Banerjee, Block Panchayath President of presided over the meeting.

Mr. Biju Mathew, State Head, HelpAge India, Kerala delivered the keynote address and Mr.John E Daniell, Dy. Director,

District

EttumanoorPanchayath President of

HelpAge India, Kerala, offered felicitation.

FREE MEDICAL CONSULTATION

Age Care Services Hub of HelpAge India ree medical consultation thfor senior citizens from 14 August 2012.

A General Physician will be available on all Mondays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. An Orthopaedician will be rendering service on all Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The doctors are from Geriatric Solution , Ernakulam

has started f

O CK L DO CMEDIA ROOM

Page No: 9

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For private circulation only.

E- Mail: Website: Facebook:

thHelpAge India,39/5370, 4 Cross Road, Panampilly Nagar, Ernakulam, Kerala. Tel: 0484 4036118.Toll free: 18001801253

Kochi@helpageindia.org www.helpageindia.org www.facebook.com/HelpAge

MEDIA ROOM

WISHING JOSEPH MATHEW (Manager @ HelpAge India)

& MELISSA

BLESSED AND HAPPY MARRIED LIFE.

Standing from left Venugopalan.M.K (Young Professional-Social Protection); Saiju.C.X (Sr.Assistant); Robymon

Varghese Sr.Executive); Sino Antony (Sr.Manager); Biju Mathew (Jt.Director & State Head (Kerala); John.E.Daniell

(Dy.Director); Ms.Leena John (Wife of John.E.Daniell); Ms.Athira.P.Mani (Co-ordinator of Agecare Service Hub); Titus

(Son of John.E.Daniell); Ms.Anu.B.Mathew (Wife of Biju Mathew); Ms.Honey Sino (Wife of Sino Antony)

Page No: 10

This news letter is published by Mr.Biju Mathew, State Head (Kerala) for HelpAge India-Kerala State office at Kochi.

Editor : John E Daniell Assistant Editor : Sino Antony Advisory Committee: Joseph Mathew, Robymon Varghese Editorial Board: Venugopalan M K; Dr.Feby Mathew; Athira P Mani; Seena Jose Design & Layout: Saiju C X