AIIMS to adopt 50 physically, economically challenged elderly people

A practice which involves sending parents to old age homes is prevalent in the West but is seen becoming a common affair in our cultures too.

But, in the West, the aged mother or father always has a pet dog for company. Here, the paint is dull as even that consolation is unavailable and there is always a lack of proper medicine and care at these old age homes.

To cater these basic needs, the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in collaboration with an NGO is set to adopt 50 elderly people who are both physically and economically challenged.

As part of this association, AIIMS and the NGO will offer free medicines to these unfortunate souls. In addition, they will speed up any medical treatment the elderly may require and transport them to a hospital in case of an emergency, said Dr. Prashun Chatterjee, AIIMS.

The move came after a study initiated by the Geriatric Department of AIIMS in multiple old-age homes in Delhi and NCR (especially run by NGOs) revealed that around 80 per cent of the home residents were devoid of basic health facilities.

Around 1,200 inmates living in 70 old age homes and around 4,000 from the society were interviewed during the study.

In this, 30 people from Faridabad old age home and rest 20 people were from Narela community. Moreover, eight widow females were present in such groups.

"We have almost conducted a survey at around 70 old age in Delhi and NCR, most of the elderly people are into the age bar of 75- 90 years and from weaker sections," said Dr. Chatterjee.

He also added that anyone can come forward and adopt any of the elderly parents by just investing Rs 500-1000.

According to the survey, most of the residents suffered from multiple health problems like diabetes, hypertension and coronary artery disease among others which need long-term medicines and regular monitoring to prevent further complication and long-term disability.

In the survey, it was noticed that some age-related diseases like fall, frailty, dementia, and depression were highly frequent among such people and called for medical intervention along with lifestyle and environment modification, Dr. Chatterjee said.

"The purpose of adopting elderly persons is not only to provide them medicine or health care but also to sensitise them for better lifestyle and diet management and exercise regime on a regular basis.

"These interventions are expected to improve the quality of life of very elderly persons living in an old age home as well as those living in society," added Dr. Chatterjee.

The study, he said, also discovered that on an average an elderly person spends around Rs 500-1000 on medicines.

Dr. Chatterjee also urged people to adopt localised needy elderly persons.

The Department of Geriatric Medicine, AIIMS in association with the Healthy Aging India had recently organised a participatory interactive session on 'active aging and stress management in late life' for senior citizens at Satyagrahy Auditorium at Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti to sensitize people about the various old-age ailments and problems.