EFor Private circulation NEWSLETTER Vol: 1, Issue: 2, October 2010

KBP

Physio Care Services

From the Editorial Desk

We are changing the title of the newsletter to 'HelpAge Age Care Kerala ' as suggested by Mr. Avenash Dat ta , Count ry Head ( P r o g r a m m e s & Emergencies), since the activities reflect a state retrospective rather than a city one. Hundreds of empowered older people thronged the streets demanding their due rights & entitlements during the International Day of Older Persons. It has really made the authorities to sit up and take notice of the developments.

The release of “Health Research Report on the Needs of Senior Citizen” (80 p l u s ) a t E r n a k u l a m , Kottayam and Trivandrum will surely create a platform to discuss ways and means to formulate welfare policies and programmes geared to their special needs and concern.

Networking with other like-minded NGO's will enable us to achieve our vision of reaching the unreached millions of older people.

We hope the various activities carried out will act as a catalyst in bringing about a much needed change among the policy makers to create age f r i end ly po l i c ies and programmes for the older people.

E Kerala

HelpAge India Fighting isolation,poverty, neglect

Mr.Avenash Datta, Country Head (Programs & Emergencies) releasing the inaugural “HelpAge Age Care Kerala” Newsletter at State office in

Kochi.

Mr.Avenash Datta, Country Head (Programs & Emergencies) interacting with Age Care

team in Kerala.

Case Study-1

Ms. Kunjamma Rocky aged 71, a resident of House of Providence, Ernakulam was suffering from severe back, knee and neck pain for the last 25 years. She used to press clothes and found it very difficult to do the job owing to the ailments.

Dr. Feby Mathew, our physiotherapist during his visit to the House assessed her and was given electrotherapy and needed exercises. The care giver too was trained on the exercises so that the treatment could be continued. Kunjamma Rocky found a marked decrease in pain after the treatment sessions and exercises for few days. Now she feels better and is able to do the work as she used to, before the ailments. She says, “The physiotherapy treatment has given me a new lease of life and hope and my painful days are a foregone past. The intervention by HelpAge India came as a boon for me without which I would have suffered a lot and I am greatly indebted to all those who had made this possible”.

Case Study-2

Ms. Valsa is working as temporary sweeper. For the last 3 years she was suffering from severe knee pain (Pattello Femoral Arthritis). She was also having Plantar Fascitis on her left foot. She found it very difficult to get in and out of bus, climbing stairs etc. She had only two options either to leave the job or undergo treatment. Her husband being a drunkard she chose the second one as she was the breadwinner of her house and had to marry off her daughter too.

Seeing the news in the media regarding the opening of Physiotherapy Centre at the HelpAge India State Office she came to the Physiotherapy Centre. Dr. Feby assessed her and was given Wax bath, IFT Ultrasound and Exercises for a week. She found it very effective as the intensity of the pain that she had been suffering for long reduced to a great extent. She says, “I had dreaded that I won't be able to work and marry off my daughter, as the treatment was very costly to my standard. The free service offered by HelpAge India had enabled me to overcome my pain and I am confident that now I can continue working. I don't have words to explain my feelings and may your tribe increase”.

October, 2010

New Patients : 4Total Patients : 50 Treatment sessions :172Old age Homes visited : 2

Cumulative

New Patients : 55Total Patients : 186 Treatment sessions : 662Old age Homes visited : 3

Statistics

October, 2010

Advice/Guidance/Support - 5Data query - 9

Legal assistance - 1Incoming follow up calls - 21Outgoing follow up calls - 18Wrong calls - 1

Incoming calls - 32Outgoing calls - 23Total - 55

Case StudyØRosamma is 68 years old unmarried elderly women, who is staying alone in a paying guest facility. She has 2 brothers and a

sister. She was working as Homeo doctor in Tamilnadu. After retirement, she stayed with her brother, who couldn't adjust

with her. As Rosamma is not satisfied with the facilities provided by the Oldage Homes,

She calls Helpline once in a week and talks about her family, service

experience, etc. Call to Helpline is one of her means to fight loneliness and neglect. A feeling of inclusion was inculcated by

the counselor and the emotional care and support offered through the Helpline had a positive effect on Ms. Rosamma. Now

she says that she has a peace of mind and feels happy after talking to the counselor.

Helpline Impact - 2ØHelpline received a complaint with regard to refusal of Medical Certificate to 8 people, who are elderly as well as others.

Counselor Ms.Athira P Mani met Medical officer of Koonammavu Government Hospital and discussed about the

complaint. The medical officer agreed to issue the certificates at the earliest; due to Helpline intervention.

she is staying in a paying guest

facility at one of her distant relative's house.

O CElders Helpline (1800-180-1253)K L D

Helpline Impact - 1Our helpline received a call requesting to support a

home, where abandoned and destitute from streets

are accommodated. Few days later we got another call

from HLL asking whether old clothes, utensils & toys

are needed for any homes in our knowledge. Our

Helpline Counselor Ms.Athira.P.Mani linked both the

calls.

thOn 8 October, 2010 our team handed over six packets

containing old clothes, utensils & toys to

“Evangelashram Charitable Society”, Koonammavu.

This was donated by employees and officers of

Hindusthan UniLever Ltd (HLL) as part of their “Joy

of Giving” programme.

HelpAge team (Mr.Saiju.CX, Ms.Athira.P.Mani, Ms.Seena Jose) with the residents of Evangelashram, Koonammavu after handing over the packets.

Employees & Officers of HLL with HelpAge team after the handing over of the Packets of donated items

VIEW OF EVANGELASHRAM

HELPLINE CALL DATA

Cumulative

Advice/Guidance/Support - 7

Data query - 34Distress calls - 4Physio Care Information - 7

Incoming follow up calls - 32Outgoing follow up calls - 24Official Calls - 6Wrong calls - 4

Total - 118

O CK L DSponsor a Grandparent Programme (SaGP)

Prof.K.V.Thomas,Union Minister hoisting the event flag

SaGP beneficiaries and local people participating with great enthusiasm in the Games and Competitions

Welcome Dance Traditional Margamkali Comic Dance DramaKitchen Dance

CULTURAL PROGRAMMES

Honoring Senior Citizens.

Rev.Dr.Francis Kallarakal, Archbishop of Verapoly inaugurating the valedictory function. Seen from left are Ms.Mercy Williams, Outgoing Mayor of Kochi; Sr.Mercy Varghese, Provincial Superior of Sisters of Charity; Mr.Subal Paul, Advocate, High Court of Kerala; Mr.Dominic Presentation, MLA of Ernakulam; Ms.Winny Abraham, Division Councilor of Kochi Corporation; Mr.Biju Mathew, State Head (Kerala), HelpAge India; Mr.Sebastian Paul, Ex-MP of Ernakulam

Senior Citizen’s Day celebration for SaGP beneficiaries at House of Providence

HelpAge India and House of Providence jointly celebrated Senior Citizens Day on 17th & 18th October, 2010. The programme were geared to make the society sensitive to the issues of older people. We also want the senior citizens to know that the old age is not a curse, but a blessing.

The event started with the flag hoisting by Prof. K V Thomas, Union minister for Food and Agriculture on 17 th October at 7.30 am. This was followed by Games and Competitions in which Seniors, children, youth joined with great enthusiasm.

The valedictory function was inaugurated by Rev.Dr.Francis Kallarakal, Archbishop of Verapoly on 8th October at 4 p m. The function was attended by Ms.Mercy Williams, Outgoing Mayor of Kochi; Sr.Mercy Varghese, Provincial Superior of Sisters of Charity; Mr.Subal Paul, Advocate, High Court of Kerala; Mr.Dominic Presentation, MLA of Ernakulam; Ms.Winny Abraham, Division Councilor of Kochi Corporation; Mr.Biju Mathew, State Head (Kerala), HelpAge India; Mr.Sebastian Paul, Ex-MP of Ernakulam

The cultural programme which followed included welcome dance by children, traditional margamkali, innovative kitchen dance, comic dance drama, light music by seniors and local people. Local community joined hands with HelpAge India and House of Providence to make the event a memorable one.

Press coverage of the event

The video of the

event can be

viewed in the

facebook page

o f H e l p A g e

India (Kera la

State Office)

O CK L DADVOCACY

Snapshots of Walkathon held on “International Day of Older Persons” with the theme of Healthy Ageing.Around 250 older persons participated in the walk with great enthusiasm from Carithas Junction to Chaithanya with placards carrying Healthy Ageing messages.

Mr. Thomas Chazhikadan, MLA of E t t u m a n u r F l a g g i n g - o f f Walkathon at Thel lakom, Kottayam on 1st October, 2010

Ms.Aliamma Thampy, Adviser (Kerala) for HelpAge India releasing the report by handing it over to Mr.M.M.Subair, President of Trivandrum Press

stClub on 1 October.

Mr. P.G.Ashok Kumar IPS, Superintendent of Police, Kottayam releasing the report at

st Kottayam on 1 October

Justice V.R.Krishna Iyer releasing the report at ndErnakulam on 2 October.

Release of Economic & Health Survey on India’s Oldest Old (80+)

Discussion on “Health and other issues of Older personsJustice.K.P.Radhakrishna Menon inaugurated the discussions at 2 pm on

nd2 October. The event was conducted at R i v e r d a l e R e t i r e m e n t H o m e , Udayamperoor, Ernakulam. 67 Senior Citizens representing various SCA's from Ernakulam District attended. Dr.P.K.B Nayar, Chairman of Centre for Gerontological Studies, Trivandrum mode ra t ed t he s e s s ions . The discussions were very lively and moderator had to restrict the speakers due to time constraints. Ms.Aliamma Thampy, Adviser(Kerala), HelpAge India; Adv.E.X.Joseph, Supreme Court Senior Lawyer

spoke on the issues of Older persons.

and Mr.Biju Mathew State Head (Kerala),HelpAge India

Dr.PKB Nayar moderating the discussion

View of the audience

Special Programme on All India Radio (FM Diary)

All India Radio (Kochi FM) aired a special programme on the eve of

t hWorld Elders Day on 30 S e p t e m b e r a t 7 . 3 0 a m immediately after Delhi news. Several older persons were interviewed on the problems faced by them. HelpAge India activities were covered in detail by Mr.Biju Mathew, State Head (Kerala), HelpAge India.

O CK L DRelease of Directory of Old Age Homes for Ernakulam, Kottayam Districts

The new Directory of Old Age Homes for Ernakulam & Kottayam Districts were also released in the following areas :

Mr.M.M.Subiar, President of Trivandrum Press Club released

stthe books at Trivandrum on 1 October.

Mr.P.G.Ashok Kumar IPS, Superintendent of Police, Kottayam released the books at

stKottayam on 1 October.

P

P

Prof.M.V.Pylee, Former Vice-Chancellor of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT)

ndreleasing the Directory at Ernakulam on 2 October. Looking on is Justice Narayana Kurup

Celebration of International Day of Older Persons

Competition in “Palm Leaf Weaving” for older women at Kottayam.

Competition in Traditional Cap making” for

older men at Kottayam

“Kerala farmer's View of the audience at Trivandrum

Press coverage - International Day of Older Persons

O CK L D

School Advocacy & Value Education (SAVE)

Students of Sacred Heart Public School, Thevara showering love, care & affection to a granny at

Mercy Home, Kacheripady.

Grans at “Home for the Destitute”, Perumanur receiving gifts from school children

The students of Le Cole Chembaka, Sreekariyam has raised an amount of ` 3,02,459/-. This school has been contributing for the last 9 years continuously for the welfare of the destitute elderly.

The SAVE (School Advocacy and Value Education) team consisting Mr.Sino Antony, Mr.Joseph Mathew & Mr.Felix James has organized awareness visits to four Oldage homes in october for school children. The team has also organized essay & painting competition in several schools on age care topics.

Citi Global Community Day 2010 with HelpAge India

Activity 1 : Story telling by grand pa's and grand ma's: The stories were morale boosting stories, laced with humor and wit. 9 stories and 4 old songs in Malayalam were recorded with the recorder donated by Citi.

Activity 2 : Preparing a greeting card for local orphanage: Five A3 size cards and 19 small cards were made.

12 volunteers from local branch of Citi Bank participated in the events. They motivated and appreciated the efforts of the senior citizens who told the stories. After the first session in story telling, Citi volunteers and senior citizens got together to decide on what kind of greeting card they should have for the local orphanage. In this activity, the senior citizens told the Citi volunteers about their idea of the card, their messages. The Citi volunteers assisted the seniors to make the cards.

The event generated great enthusiasm among the seniors and Citi volunteers. All appreciated the unique event as this was different from the routine; with the focus on seniors participation. Even the media turned-out in large numbers. Gifts were given to all seniors who participated in the event.

O C

Cataract Detection Camps & Surgeries done at Trivandrum and suburbs through Chaitanya Eye Hospital

October-2010 Cumulative

Number of Camps - 5 Number of Camps - 28

Total patients screened - 763 Total patients screened - 4451 Total patients screened for Cataract - 62 Total patients screened for Cataract - 446

Total cataract surgeries performed - 18 Total cataract surgeries performed - 141

L F Hospital, Angamaly have completed 600 cataract surgeries in the rural areas of Alappuzha, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Kottayam districts. Agreements have been signed to perform 500 cataract surgeries in the rural areas of Kannur, Palakkad and Ernakulam through Archana Hospital, Kannur; Ahalia Eye Hospital, Walayar, Palakkad and MOSC Medical Mission, Kolenchery, Ernakulam

K L DEye Care

Cancer Project

Amala Cancer Hospital Society, Thrissur have organised camps for screening and early detection of cancer patients. Cancer

awareness sessions too were organized as part of the camps. Eighteen patients are now undergoing treatment under the

project out of which 12 are women and 6 men. The beneficiaries and family members are greatly relieved by the assistance

through the project, as earlier the treatment was unaffordable to them. The intervention by HelpAge India has enabled them to

avail the facilities which were earlier inaccessible owing to lack of funds and awareness. The screening camps and awareness

sessions conducted have increased the awareness regarding cancer among the community and for some, timely detection and

further treatment have enabled a new lease of life.

Eye screening in progress at Valiathura, Trivandrum

O CK L DNETWORKING

Linking with Grass root level NGO’s

Mr.Biju Mathew, State Head(Kerala), HelpAge India giving a presentation on HelpAge activities at VOSARD meet 2010 held at PAC

thAuditorium, Anakkara, Idukki on 16 October.

VOSARD Meet at Kumily, Idukki

HelpAge India State team (Mr.Biju Mathew, Mr. John E Daniell and Mr. Venugopalan M.K) attended annual joint meeting of VOSARD SHGs, Clusters and Apex Federation held at PAC auditorium, Anakkara, Idukki on 16th October.

VOSARD (Voluntary Organization for Social Action and Rural Development) established in 1998 works with poor and weaker sections in the remote hilly areas of the backward Idukki district of Kerala. Around 8000 poor families have been organized into 525 Self Help Groups in the region.

Mr.Biju Mathew inaugurated the “Oldage Support Programme” of VOSARD and also gave a presentation on HelpAge India activities in Age Care to the members of Apex Federation.

This news letter is published by HelpAge India-Kerala team from State office at Kochi and is intended for private circulation only. Editor: John E Daniell Assistant Editor: Sino Antony

Editorial Board: Venugopalan M K; Dr.Feby Mathew; Athira P Mani Design & Layout: Saiju C XthHelpAge India,39/5581, 4 Cross Road, Panampilly Nagar, Ernakulam, Kerala. Tel: 0484 4036118.

E- Mail: Website: Kochi@helpageindia.org, www.helpageindia.org

Remembering V K Krishna Menon

HelpAge India State Head, Mr. Biju Mathew addressed a public meeting for remembering V K Krishna Menon on the occasions of 36 death anniversary. The event was organized by “V K Krishna Menon Educational Initiative” on 10th October at Ernakulam. Justice V R Krishna Iyer presided over the meeting. The event was well covered by print and electronic media.