An Age Friendly InitiativeIntroducing Self Management to Community Dwelling Elders

Dharma Foundation of India

Population Ageing in India

Projected to be 113 million, i.e. 8.9% of total populations by the year 2016

Health Issues

• Arthritis• Respiratory Care• Cancer• Cardiovascular• Vision/Cataract• Bladder and bowel dysfunction• Neurological deficits

Social Issues

• Elder abuse• Social Isolation• Financial• Lack opportunities for re employment• Unawareness of rights of elders.

Vision

Attainment of Universal Access to Equitable, Affordable and Quality health care services, accountable and responsive to elderly needs.

Stages of Elder Care

• Preventive and early detection

• Curative• Follow up• Rehabilitation/Chronic Care

Missing

Health Systems in India

NGO/Trust/SCWO

Private Hospital

Semi-Govt (Public)Hospital Govt. Hospital

Curative care Preventive care

Suggested Preventive Program

Corporate Companies/government sector employees

Absence of government

policies

Community Care Centre(CCC)

Allied Health ProfessionalsSugarObesityPainBlood pressureDementia

Healthcare in India

• Constitute government and private sector having primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities.

• The various problems faced by the healthcare industry are shortage of doctors, nurses and infrastructures leading to unavailability of cost effective and accessible care at the primary level.

Need of the hour: Integrated Approach Towards Community Wellness

• Formulated on international research and knowledge based on important principles and guidelines by WHO Active Ageing Policy and Towards Building an Age Friendly City.

Dharma Foundation of India

• Dharma Foundation of India was registered in 2010 as a charitable trust under the Certificate Section 60 of the Indian Trust Act 1882 in New Delhi ,by a group of dedicated healthcare providers .

• The main objective of the organization is to work for wellbeing and quality of life for disabled and vulnerable population of India .

Objective

• We collaborate /handhold with NGOs and other organizations at the grass root level to implement strategic models to overcome physical and sociological barriers within their communities through a holistic approach to a person and their environment in the areas of health, education, social inclusion, skill development and empowerment.

• Our projects for older persons are centered around developing care models based on the WHO guidelines of Active Ageing and Towards Building Age Friendly Communities.

• The strategy supports full participation and inclusion of older persons in the life of their communities.

Objective

• Empower and create opportunities for community dwelling older persons to participate in their health and social issues.

• Develop health and social models.

Main Objective

• Address the fragmented health and long-term care system in India to adopt care models

• Publish research/evidence based data to help State Governments and Central government of India to framework future policies for older persons.

TRAINING ON SELF MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH ISSUES FOR ELDERS IN THE COMMUNITY

Subjects• Common health issues.viz cardiovascular, arthritis,

neurodegenerative condition, vision and hearing.• Techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue,

pain and isolation,• Appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength,

flexibility, and endurance,• Healthy diet• Appropriate use of medications, polypharmacy.• Communicating effectively with family, friends, and health care

professionals• How to evaluate new treatments.• Active Ageing

Activity: Awareness Workshops

• Activity: • Workshops for education/empowerment of elders

3 awareness programs/ workshops (3 hours/day)

• These workshops are taken by healthcare providers, sociologists/friends of elders.

Activity: Distribution of booklets

• Briefs of these lectures are translated in local languages and distributed as booklets to the elderly who attend the workshops

Standard guidelines for organizationsForm Elder Groups:• Small groups of 10-15 elder subjects.

• Selection of voluntary elder members as a group leader/local supervisor.

• Social interaction will be encouraged in smaller groups where group leader conduct exercises/recreational activities/discussions

Way Ahead

• Nonmedical interventions can assist elders in coping with and adapting to changes as one ages.

• Health and social services delivered within a neighbourhood by local people in local establishments, and community-based support and voluntary groups can play an important role in delivering support and care to older persons.

• The Self-Management and Community Wellness Program will not conflict with existing programs or treatment as it is designed to enhance regular treatment and disease-specific education given by clinicians/family physicians in healthcare organization.

Expected Output

• Inputs of group meetings will be discussed carefully documented and presented to the local government representative.

• Encourage active participation of the elders in voicing their opinion regarding community problems

• It may form a cost effective way to introduce prevention/early detection of co morbidities in elders.

Benefits

• Interventions of group activities and self managing co-morbities have improved mobility and quality of life of elders in the community

• There is more awareness about government services and policies available to older persons.

Past Experience Of Similar Work

DFI has been involved in research and development with following international collaborators where the model has been developed with WHO-SEARO

Thank you!

email: dharma.dfi@gmail.comMobile Number:+919811020093

Website: www.dharmafoundationofindia.org