Nagaland: Senior citizens urged to avail services, schemes

Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 14

The National Helpline for Senior Citizens Nagaland called upon the senior citizens in Nagaland to get the requisite certificate done to avail free travel facility in NST buses. Free travel facility in NST buses has been extended by Nagaland State Transport (NST), to senior citizens above the age of 60 years as approved by the state government.

Speaking at the two-day workshop on elderly issues at Meriema, near Kohima on March 13, Benrilo Shititi, field team lead, Elder Line Nagaland said that the NST has reserved four seats for senior citizen in a particular bus.

She also asked the senior citizens to come forward and apply for air and railway travel concession. Till date, more than 500 senior citizens have applied for the same, she added.

She told the workshop that State Bank of India (SBI) has provided separate counter for senior citizens in the respective branches.

Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) has also set up separate counter for easy access of the senior citizens. She also called upon the senior citizens to apply Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme.

She requested the senior citizens to dial Elder Line- 14567 to access various information regarding care, support, welfare packages etc. Elder Line- 14567 is always there to assist and help the senior citizens of Nagaland, Shitiri added.

National Helpline for senior citizens

Shitiri said that National Helpline for Senior Citizens Nagaland provides information related to elder care service providers, old age pension, Government schemes and benefits, etc., based on caller’s requirements.

The Helpline guides senior citizens on legal & pension related issues and Helpline team offers counseling support. It also facilitates Direct Field Intervention (by Field Response Officers along with Partner Stakeholders).

The Helpline team facilitate rescue of homeless senior citizens and arrange for temporary accommodation in Old Age Homes managed by NGOS or government run facilities – One Stop Centre (Shelter Homes) and facilitate the process towards reuniting the elder persons with their family.

It also assists senior citizens in getting their abuse complaint resolved through the Maintenance Tribunal or with the help of other stakeholders, she added.

The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt of India, the National Institute of Social Defence and the respective state government through the department of social welfare launched National Helpline for Senior Citizens- Elder Line- toll free No 14567 with the objective of expeditiously attending to the complaints and grievances of the senior citizens.

The vision of Help line is to facilitate happy and healthy ageing by serving the senior citizens of India with honour and compassion.
 
Common problems & basic needs of elderly people

Talking on ‘common problems & basic needs of elderly people,’ Dr P Kilemsungla, Padmashree Awardee and former member of UPSC stressed the need to create conducive atmosphere for elderly people for a secure and healthy society.

She outlined on the need to attend the basic needs of the elderly people and to address the issues of health, financial insecurity, personal insecurity and loneliness. 

Stating that the more one moves the better it is and the more one moves the longer they live, she stressed on the need to take the senior citizens for regular exercise to keep them active and healthy.

Getting proper nutrition and exercise is very vital, she said.

She also said that regular medical check-up is essential before one gets sick.

Kilemsungla stressed on the need to engage the senior citizens in recreational activities and home fellowship.

She underlined the need to listen to the elders to understand their minds and needs.

Stating that personal respect help build confidence, she said that recollection of fond memories of the good old days will also reactive the brain and become active.
 
Call for preventing elder abuse

Dr PK Pattnaik, Head, Department of Teacher Education, Nagaland University, Kohima Campus, Meriema spoke on ‘elderly issues and elder abuse.’

He stressed on the need to have proper understanding of the elderly issues and to handle with care and love. “If you want to be a good human being, your need the blessings and wisdom of the elders,” he said.

He also called for intervention of the community for preventing elder abuse. Counseling is another source to diminish elder abuse, he said and called upon the people to increase its capacity and work in unison to reduce elder abuse. Elder are assets of our society, he said adding that the Nagaland University is also trying to do research on elder abuse.

Kekhriengulie Theunuo, Legal Advisor of GSWS talked on ‘Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.’ This an Act to provide for more effective provisions for the maintenance and welfare of parents and senior citizens guaranteed and recognised under the Constitution and for matters connected therewith or incidental. He also called upon the senior citizens to utilize the service and help of the Nagaland Legal Services Authority as and when required.

The workshop was organized by Good Samaritan Women Society (GSWS), Kohima in collaboration with Integrated Rural Development Educational Organization (IRDEO-RRTC (Ag)-NE, Wangbal Thoubal, Manipur and initiated by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.

Earlier, GSWS chairperson Neithonuo Liegise delivered welcome address.

Meanwhile, similar workshop will take place on March 14 at Tsiesema village from 9:30 am onwards.