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| Fr. Anthony to the the participants |
On 20th July, The Praggaloy, The Pastoral
& Development Centre, Barasat and its partners the Bethani Cottage, Barasat
and The DC Sisters, St. Vincent’s Home Barasat invited senior citizens of
Barasat and Madhyamgram Municipalities and its surrounding Gram Panchayats for
the inauguration of its SRADHA Project-the Geriatric care Pragrame under the
sustainable social development programme, APARAJITA.
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| Praggaloy's views to the elders |
Geriatric care management (also known as "elder care management",
"senior health care management" and "professional care
management") is the process of planning and coordinating care
of the elderly and others with physical and/or mental impairments to
meet their long
term care needs, improve their quality
of life, and maintain their independence for as
long as possible. It entails working with persons of old age and their families in managing, rendering and referring various types of health and social care services. Geriatric
care managers accomplish this by combining a working knowledge
of health and psychology, human development, family dynamics, public and
private resources and funding sources, while advocating for their clients
throughout the continuum
of care. For example, they may assist families of
older adults and others with chronic needs such as those suffering from Alzheimer's disease or other dementia.
As per the 1991 census, the population of the
elderly in India was 57 million as compared with 20 million in 1951. There has
been a sharp increase in the number of elderly persons between 1991 and 2001
and it has been projected that by the year 2050, the number of elderly people
would rise to about 324 million. India has thus acquired the label of “an
ageing nation” with 7.7% of its population being more than 60 years old.
 |
| Participatory Survey |
Nearly,
40 senior citizens participated in that programme. Nilangshu Gain, coordinator,
Swanirvar explained the need and vision-mission of this project to the
participants and after that Fr. Anthony Rodrick , Director, Praggaloy gave the welcoming
speech and expressed Praggaloy’s view to the elders
of our society. He also
gave thanks to the sisters for being a part of this noble mission. After that, Sri
Sukumar Chattopadhay, one of the participants expressed the views of their
present life and their feelings to the audience. One of sr. Staff of Swanirvar,
Golapi Begum gave a short talk on her experiences to deal with the Geriatrics
in two vulnerable villages of Deganga Block, under North 24 Parganas.
 |
| Case story |
Then
our volunteers, Susmita, Sritama, Golapi, Manali and the sisters of Bethani Cottage, Barasat and The DC Sisters, St. Vincent’s
Home, Barasat sit with the participants in small groups and did participatory survey
on their present problems, wrote the case histories of their sufferings and
also noted their demands from us.
After the survey and focus group discussions, the
sisters measured the Blood pressure and Glucose (random) and took note for
consultation with our panelled physicians.
 |
| BP measureing |
 |
| Blood Sugar Testing |
The programme was concluded with a happy lunch. The
next programme will be on 17th August, 2014.
In 2014-15 our focuses were as follows:
·
Medical care for
the senior citizens and periodic pathological tests.
·
Meeting with
them – once / twice in a month
·
Physiotherapy
and Yoga
·
Games and amusements,
creative activities like- songs, recitations, storytelling, audio-visuals,
meditations.
·
Special care for
them suffering from Alzheimer's disease or other dementia
·
Picnic and
outings
·
Publication of a
magazine written by the elders.
·
Short stay home
and medical care in emergency.
Reported by,
