Page 25 - Seniors Today -Volume no1
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emergency.
Geriatric care for prevention and treatment is ab-
solutely essential for the elderly. This is easier for
those who can afford to pay for private healthcare.
However, government hospitals have to be bet-
ter equipped to provide geriatric care for poorer
patients in both urban and rural areas. Interven-
tions that reduce the risk of falls in the elderly are
among the most important contributions to long
term better health in the elderly. These interven-
tions can range from something as simple as fur-
niture rearrangement in the home and provision
Practical problems faced by Seniors of a walking stick or walker to complex changes
As one gets older one moves from one stage of in medications. Also, installation of grab bars or
life to another. Things that seemed easy to ac- handrails on stairs and in public places, as well as
complish earlier now seem difficult. Practical- physiotherapeutic mobility improving exercises
ly speaking, seniors face issues with mobility, are important useful measures.
lack of open spaces, security, and neglect. In Retirement often means reduced funds and this
most cities in India, it is almost impossible for can have a negative impact on healthcare and
a senior citizen to walk on the road. If there is nourishment. A positive and well-planned ap-
a pavement – which is often not the case – it is proach in such cases can go a long way in helping
uneven and dug up for repairs. Moreover, the to maintain a healthy life.
traffic rushes past at uncaring speed, not even Man is a social creature and needs company.
stopping for seniors. Even if they were able
to manoeuvre their way through the traffic Living alone or lacking mobility could in turn
they would have nowhere quiet to go. There is lead to isolation, loneliness, and depression. It
an appalling lack of parks, gardens and open is therefore important for family and friends to
spaces in our cities where older people could make the effort and provide social contact for the
safely spend some time. The Nana-Nani park aged. Seniors should be encouraged to participate
initiative for seniors is a good one but there is in yoga, meditation, music, games, interest groups
a need for many more. – anything that they can take part in to remain
socially active. In this context, ease of movement
Another area of concern with regard to se- is necessary for seniors to be able to go out and
nior citizens is security. There have been any engage with the world. Wheelchair ramps and
number of cases reported in the press about grab bars in concert halls and at other public
burglary and even murder of seniors in their spaces will encourage them to be more social. Re-
homes. Sometimes these are committed by serving parking spaces as well as seats in public
the very people who are employed to protect transport, and designated queues make life more
them. Seniors living alone are the most vul- comfortable for seniors.
nerable. It is important for local police stations
to take proactive measures to monitor their Older people naturally react well to children.
homes and provide adequate security. There Children raise the positive energy level in the
also needs to be a mechanism in place for se- home and need to be encouraged to spend time
niors to request police help and to be assured with the aged.
of an immediate and prompt response to their Unfortunately, these days one hears of more and
appeal. This also applies to medical help vis more cases of harassment and abuse of the elder-
a vis a hospital whereby an ambulance can ly. Family members and others wanting to usurp
be sent immediately and the hospital and a their property resort to all sorts of tactics to in-
family member is immediately alerted to the timidate the aged. Although there is legislation
SENIORS TODAY | Volume 1 | Issue 1
