Aasara for Senior Citizens
Content
Aasara for Senior citizens
Are senior citizens just deadwood to be discarded? NO, says Aasara, Hyderabad. “Equal Rights and Dignity for Elders” is the Motto of Aasara that is followed in letter and spirit in the execution of all its plan and activities. Set up in August 2007 by GHMC, Hyderabad, Aasara has become a beacon of Hope for senior citizens. Major activities of Aasara include: • Issue of ID cards for senior citizens (26000 issued in 18 months) • Setting up of Volunteers Groups both General and Professionals (about 600 now) • Supporting Senior Citizens associations in setting up Day Care Centers. • Conducting Health camps (Eye, Plastic Surgery, Dental, General Diagnostics etc) Big success – Some sixty camps held with the support of corporate hospitals, local SCAs and NGOs. • Helpline Services. Call 1253 or 040-23226982 This gives info on OAH, Govt schemes and attends to the needs of elders in Emergencies. The Helpline is managed by HelpAge India. As Aasara is promoted by GHMC, free entry into public parks, preference to elders in GHMC offices to get their work done quickly without much waiting, Free parking in parking lots etc are also offered. They have liaised with Andhra Pradesh Nursing Homes Associations and Hyderabad Medical Association to give concessions (Discounts) in their services to senior citizens. Day Care Centers for Senior Citizens requires special mention. Equipments like Treadmill, Weighing Machine, furniture, Indoor Game items, magazines etc are provided. DCCs are started with the help of Senior Citizens Associations. There 63 SCAs in Hyderabad many of them after Aasara started its activities. It also helps in getting suitable accommodation in school buildings, PHCs, Community Halls etc wherever feasible. Day Care Centers are useful to older persons to spend time in a secure atmosphere. They read newspapers, magazines, play chess or cards. Many elders generally catch up with each other just chit chatting. Commuting is a problem for senior citizens because of health and age, distance, traffic, and finance. Therefore
there is a need for a DCC in every locality or a cluster of colonies. If Resident Welfare Associations, Morning Walkers Clubs, Senior Citizens Associations, Pensioners Associations, Bajan Groups etc come together, a lot more can be achieved. Aasara has been so successful that there is a demand from other districts in AP for similar outfits.
Are senior citizens just deadwood to be discarded? NO, says Aasara, Hyderabad. “Equal Rights and Dignity for Elders” is the Motto of Aasara that is followed in letter and spirit in the execution of all its plan and activities. Set up in August 2007 by GHMC, Hyderabad, Aasara has become a beacon of Hope for senior citizens. Major activities of Aasara include: • Issue of ID cards for senior citizens (26000 issued in 18 months) • Setting up of Volunteers Groups both General and Professionals (about 600 now) • Supporting Senior Citizens associations in setting up Day Care Centers. • Conducting Health camps (Eye, Plastic Surgery, Dental, General Diagnostics etc) Big success – Some sixty camps held with the support of corporate hospitals, local SCAs and NGOs. • Helpline Services. Call 1253 or 040-23226982 This gives info on OAH, Govt schemes and attends to the needs of elders in Emergencies. The Helpline is managed by HelpAge India. As Aasara is promoted by GHMC, free entry into public parks, preference to elders in GHMC offices to get their work done quickly without much waiting, Free parking in parking lots etc are also offered. They have liaised with Andhra Pradesh Nursing Homes Associations and Hyderabad Medical Association to give concessions (Discounts) in their services to senior citizens. Day Care Centers for Senior Citizens requires special mention. Equipments like Treadmill, Weighing Machine, furniture, Indoor Game items, magazines etc are provided. DCCs are started with the help of Senior Citizens Associations. There 63 SCAs in Hyderabad many of them after Aasara started its activities. It also helps in getting suitable accommodation in school buildings, PHCs, Community Halls etc wherever feasible. Day Care Centers are useful to older persons to spend time in a secure atmosphere. They read newspapers, magazines, play chess or cards. Many elders generally catch up with each other just chit chatting. Commuting is a problem for senior citizens because of health and age, distance, traffic, and finance. Therefore
there is a need for a DCC in every locality or a cluster of colonies. If Resident Welfare Associations, Morning Walkers Clubs, Senior Citizens Associations, Pensioners Associations, Bajan Groups etc come together, a lot more can be achieved. Aasara has been so successful that there is a demand from other districts in AP for similar outfits.
