HelpAge India is a leading charity in India working with and for disadvantaged elderly for more than 3 decades. It was set up in 1978 and is registered under the Societies ' Registration Act of 1860. Traditionally the focus was to improve the quality of life of destitute elders primarily in the rural areas through its welfare projects by providing free rations, free medicines and consultations and conduct free cataract surgeries. It slowly spread its wings and started focusing on long term sustainability options for these elders through various livelihood projects and helping them form Elder Self-Help Groups, which today span India. For the last few years, there has been an increased concentration on advocating for elder rights, engaging with the government on framing of new legislation and pushing for the implementation of the National Policy of Older Persons. HelpAge is now also increasingly focusing on the concerns of urban elderly having realized that even relatively economically advantaged elders face emotional and physical problems. Mathew Cherian CEO "It has been a long innings for all of us at HelpAge, but there is still so much left to be done. We are now increasingly looking at not just providing relief to the needy elders, but also towards demanding what 's rightfully theirs by working as a pressure group and joining the force of senior citizens working closely with them, for them". HISTORY HelpAge India began the late 1960s when the speaker of the Lok
I have always admired the senior citizens who are wondering how they have passed such long journeys of their lives. They not only have accomplished achievements, but also have done memorable works that deserve admiration, respect, and priority in today’s society. These old people may look incompetent and unexciting in somebody’s eyes and thoughts, but not everyone realizes that they are the people with greatest knowledge and experiences beyond their masters of life. From my own experience, whenever I see an old mister or mistress looking for help or in need of help, I can never ignore him or
Advocacy is a term that get used to defining a political process through which an individual or group aims at influencing decisions within economic, political and social systems within an institution. It includes a lot of activities ranging from people or organizations undertaking massive media campaigns, publishing research, commissioning or conducting exit polls. Or the filing of an amicus brief as well as public speaking (Daly, 2011). Also, advocacy can get defined as taking actions with an aim of helping people say what they want, represent their interests and secure their rights and above all to obtain services they need. As well as entering into partnerships with support groups in the promotion of social inclusion, social justice, and
Experience working in the field of health care lends insight to the growing needs of the older adult population, and the barriers which impede our capacity to meet them. As the Baby Boomer age is approaching older adulthood, the rise for financial,
This is the stage where the issues within senior care are recognized and analyzed further within each organization and facility (Kaminski, 2011). The next step in the change process is, moving to a new level or change stage. Within the change stage of facing issues within senior care, this would be the practice of facilities becoming more involved in the policy changing aspect and lawmakers at certain leveling becoming proactive in making changes for seniors to live healthy and productive lives (Kaminski, 2011). The refreezing stage can be utilized within the issue of senior care by establishing the change by enforcing the new policies which has been made within the change process, such as the care of seniors and new programs to assist in their needs (Kaminski, 2011). It is proven facts that programs which are created by lawmakers allow seniors to become more active in their daily lives and live healthier (Dongre & Deshmukh,
The new eldercare service model must be one of inclusion. We can no longer afford to marginalize any group of seniors. –Author
Markee states that young people may not be concerned about ageism until it affects them. The reality is that it affects them now, and has since they were born. And the further they push addressing it, the more deeply it will affect them. Supporting an elder can help the individual figure out how they will fact the issue later on. The author then lists some measure allies of elders can take to help the older community. Some statements fall in different categories about their mindset, physical, mental, and psychological health. Older people should be assumed to have the potential to be brilliant, that they have long, productive futures, and that they have given up in life. Also, older people are sexually appealing and that they do have sexual needs. Older people should also be offered to give their opinion without being interrupted. Allies should not think that memory loss or physical deterioration is the result of being old, but could be accumulated distress or illness. The author ends the essay by mentioning that allies should choose an elder that is not being supported and support them. This could be beneficial to the ally. Just as it is the duty of the dominant group to support the disenfranchised group, as in the case for white leaders to support people of color leaders, as members of the upper case should support members of the working class, younger leaders should support older
The objective of this study is to examine the evolution of programs and services for aging population over the last fifty years. Toward this end, this brief study will conduct a review of literature that addresses these shifts and changes in policy. The timeline of the history of the services and pogroms for the aging population in the United States is shown in the following timeline and an explanation for these develops will next follow the timeline.
Interviewing John gave me a better understanding with our older generation, and the struggles they faced throughout their lives. The purpose of this paper was to gain a better knowledge about our elder’s health, lifestyle, and many challenges they have encountered.
Senior Reach aims to intervene and support the older adult in order to maintain independence and avoid a catastrophic event (Senior Reach, 2015). The goal is accomplished through several means. First, community education is implemented
Additionally, one of the good ways that may have an impact on people and help them support elder people and protect them an annual world Elder Abuse Awareness Day and the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse which the nation of
We find that there are currently staffing shortages and the lack of long-term care facilities to compete with the growing number of senior citizen in our country (Williams, Nowak & Scoby, 2016). With these issues we find that each professional who assist within the field of geriatric care such as advocates and leadership, share a particular part in making a safe environment with adequate accommodations for seniors. There are differences in the leadership and advocacy perspective in senior care, but they both result in the common goal of a meaningful life for seniors daily.
Gaining awareness, receiving more funding, and enforcing laws to protect senior citizens, will move the fight against elder abuse in the right direction.
Elders are vital members within their communities and anticipated to fulfill essential roles such as those of mentors, cultural transmitters, providers of care for grandchildren, and civic and religious leadership (Ramos & Wright, 2010). Cultural values of collectivism and communal orientation can serve as a protective factor in alleviating distress” (Furman et al.,
Policy changes are needed in order to provide senior citizens with a safe, quality living environment free from abuse. Changes at federal, state, and local governments are needed to provide the best possible support and series to the aging population. With the significant increase of older Americans their likelihood of being taken advantage of and mistreated has risen a great amount. This vulnerable population does not deserve this kind of treatment. We need to be doing whatever it takes to provide these people with quality health care to ensure safety and good quality of life. This means increasing funding, continuing education for providers and other related professions, harsher punishments for violators, and strict laws requiring background checks and health assessments before being allowed to care for an elderly person.
The American population is getting older which presents us with many challenges but also present us with potential opportunities. With the length of life and quantity and fraction of older persons rise in most industrialized and many evolving nations, a crucial question is whether this population will be accompanied by continued or better-quality health, an improving quality of life, and adequate social and cost-effective resources. This answer lies in the ability of peoples and societies, as well as modern social, governmental, financial, and health service delivery systems, to provide optimum assistance to older persons.