Ageing is generally accompanied by several health issues
like elder health care and physical
discomfort as senior citizen homes.
For people living alone it is not possible to address all of them. But NGOs
with their schemes and programs are doing a marvellous job of solving this
problem; let us see how.
The biophysical process of
ageing is accompanied by a steady degradation in the responsiveness of the
reflexes. This is also accompanied by a gradual decrease in both the mental as well
as physical capabilities. But the process of ageing can get hastened due to
certain social factors like:
·
The approach of a sudden phase of inactivity post
retirement,
·
The loss of close family and friends,
·
Isolation and loneliness leading to depression,
·
Onset of several health problems,
·
Reduction in one’s self confidence and worth etc.
Since all of these factors result
in a decline in the physical well-being of the elderly people, home support for the elderly becomes a
necessity. This need can be
fulfilled in two ways:
·
By employing a full time care giver or attendant who will
look after the needs of the elderly with regards to things like physical
exercise, routine medicine etc.
·
By shifting the elderly to the old age homes and resorts run
by both private and charitable institutions.
Another area of concern for the
elderly is the availability of health care. Elderly people need a thorough
health check-up at least once a month. This helps to:
·
Ensure continued good health for the elderly,
·
Prevent the onset of any additional health complications and
·
In case of appearance of any ailment, start immediate
treatment to prevent it from spreading.
Thus elder
health care is a mandatory part of care giving which cannot be
compromised with in any way. NGOs play a very proactive role in this as they
help to organised health camps and have mobile health care facilities so that
even people who are not so financially well off, can also be looked after
properly. This is a huge source of comfort for both:
·
People who are not in a position to opt for expensive health
care options and
·
People who are not in a physical condition to move out of
their homes for availing health care facilities.
While elderly people,
especially those who are afflicted with geriatric conditions, can be physically
taken care of even in their homes, it becomes difficult to do away with the
loneliness and boredom that they face. In fact paucity of time is a harsh
reality in this fast paced world that we live in. Hence even if there is a will
to spend quality time with their elders, the young generation is not able to do
so. This is where senior
citizen homes set up by NGOs can be of a great help. Shifting elders to
these old age homes helps them to:
·
Find people of their age group with common interests,
·
Be able to have a ready doctor at hand for any emergencies,
·
Get good physical care round the clock,
·
Ensure medications are taken on time,
·
Other requirements with regards to the food are met in a
routine manner etc.
In fact with so many facilities
being provided by NGOs in the homes for the elderly set up by them, the sons,
daughters and other relatives can also lead a relieved and peaceful life. This
also ensures that the younger generation gets to spend quality time with their
elderly thereby giving them many more happy memories to cherish.
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