Universal Versatile Society

Integrated Care Program for Elderly

Older people are a valuable resource for any society. Ageing is a natural phenomenon with opportunities and challenges. As of 2019, over 139 million people living in India are aged over 60 which is over 10% of the country’s total population. The proportion of older people is expected to almost double to 19.5% in 2050 with 319 million people aged over 60. This means that every 1 in 5 Indians is likely to be a senior citizen[1].; we can estimate the numbers of elderly in Washim district using above mentioned census and ratios to be approximately 120,000. 

An ageing population increases the demand for health services. Older people suffer from both degenerative and communicable diseases due to the ageing of the body’s immune system. The leading causes of morbidity are infections, while visual impairment, difficulty in walking, chewing, hearing, osteoporosis, arthritis and incontinence are other common health-related problems. As well as mental illnesses associated with their loneliness, including the tendency to suicide. Accordingly, UVS seeking through this proposal to establish a special program for elderly in Washim, to provide an integrated care services, in order to save their lives, and enhance their life quality.

The proposed program's interventions focus on 4 main components, which are health care activities, to save the beneficiaries' lives, in addition to developing their motor, physical and psychological abilities, in order to increase their self-reliance. In addition to social activities to strengthen their and local community families ties in order to overcome loneliness, and to increase community awareness about their rights on the other hand. The third component, is related to recreational activities, which in turn is related to the previous two components, with regard to physical and mental activity, as well as making use of leisure time and social interaction. The UVS has allocated the fourth component in order to enhance the self-confidence of the elderly, through training in vocational fields so that the regains their productivity, and independence.

Objectives of the Project:

Contribute to alleviating loneliness and reducing violence against 100 elderly per year in Washim by improving their health, psychological, social, and vocational conditions.

 Specific objectives-

·         Follow-up and improve the elderly health, and psychological conditions,

·         Increase their social interaction, communication, and self-reliance. 

·         Increasing societal awareness of the elderly rights and issues to strengthening societal protection for them

Activities:

The proposed program's interventions focus on 3 main components, which are health care activities, to save the beneficiaries' lives, in addition to developing their motor, physical and psychological abilities, in order to increase their self-reliance. In addition to social activities to strengthen their and local community families ties in order to overcome loneliness, and to increase community awareness about their rights on the other hand. The third component, is related to recreational activities, which in turn is related to the previous two components, with regard to physical and mental activity, as well as making use of leisure time and social interaction.

Health Care Activities

The proposed program will conduct a monthly screening and health assessment for each 100 elderly , and provide specialized mental therapy sessions (1 individual therapy session and 1 group therapy session per month for every 25 beneficiaries), in addition to  1 Physiotherapy sessions per month to those in need. The health care activities during the proposed period will also include 1 monthly nutrition awareness workshops, and a daily yoga session (for each 20 beneficiary, 1 session per week for each beneficiary).  This activity also includes referral of critical cases to hospitals and health centers, based on the carried out screening and health assessment.

Results:

Social Activities

The enrollment of the elderly in the proposed program will ensure that they participate in the monthly birthday parties(12 birthday parties overall project's period), 3 dinners with their families, and the central event "Walk for Elderly", with participation of activists from the local community at the 1st of October "International Day of Older Persons". In addition, the elderly who were specialized in education will implement literacy courses for their peers.

Results:

Recreation Activities

UVS will provide, the necessary tools, facilities and resources to carry out recreational activities, including traditional games, television sessions, reading spaces and resources, as well as the necessary spaces and equipment for meditation. These activities will be available 24/7.

Results: