KOLKATA- STATUS OF ELDERLY POPULATION

Though modern medicine and improved health facilities have contributed to better life expectancy and a huge increase in India’s elderly population in the past 50 years, geriatric medicine and social security measures have failed to keep pace. Consequently, increased longevity, breaking up of the joint family and lack of geriatric care have left the elderly helpless in most cities and towns, this despite the declaration of the National Policy for Older Persons by the Government of India in 1999. Currently, 81 million population is made up of the elderly out of which 30% are absolutely single. Yet, financial and other constraints prevent geriatric wards from being set up in rural and urban centre by the government.

In Kolkata more or less scenario is also similar like other part of India.

On economical/financial point of view these Senior Citizens are categorized in to 3 parts:-

                     ♦From Low Socioeconomic Group/Underpriviledged Group

                     ♦From Middle Class

                     ♦From Higher Class

As per their economic condition these elderly people are suffering from mainly 4 types of Insecurity:-

                     ♦ECONOMICAL INSECURITY

                     ♦HEALTH INSECURITY

                     ♦EMOTIONAL INSECURITY

                     ♦LEGAL INSECURITY

♦ECONOMICAL INSECURITY:-

                     Due to low income or no pension system or more no of family members in
elderly population belonging to Low Socioeconomic Group/Underpriviledged Group
are suffering from economical insecurity.
On the other hand elderly population belonging to Middle Class are also suffering
from economical insecurity due to very low pension or no pension or no source
of income,so they are basically dependent to their children &
due to increase no of nuclear family in majority cases they are neglected.

♦HEALTH INSECURITY:-

                   Health is one of the prime   concern  for elderly population.
Though there is separate discipline- GERIATRIC is specially meant for elderly
people but due to lack of awareness this is not popular till now in
Kolkata. Elderly population belonging to Low Socioeconomic
Group/Underpriviledged Group are much more
sufferer due to their financial constrain & unavailability of any opportunity
in Government Health sector.
Due to huge premium value of Mediclaim/Health insurance, majority of elderly
population belonging to Middle Class are unable to take the facility.
Huge medical cost due to increase cost of medicines & hospital bill
are also key responsible factor for insecurity. Though money is not
prime factor for elderly population belonging
to Higher class but their main insecurity is due to lack
of man power specially during emergency medica
l crisis period. Lack of any Doctor/Medical personnel to attend the elderly
people at home during emergency
is also another factor of insecurity in Kolkata.

♦EMOTIONAL INSECURITY:-

                     Emotional insecurity is mainly seen in elderly population
belonging to Higher Middle Class & Higher class because of nuclear family pattern
& breakdown of family bonding. Major portion of this population remain isolated
from their children. Due to lack of emotional attachment many of them are
suffering from serious mental disorder & depression.

♦LEGAL INSECURITY:-

                   Legal insecurity is another main concern for our elderly people.
Due to lack of knowledge/awareness, many senior citizens are not aware of how LAW empowers them.

          The free legal cell of Calcutta High Court offers help to the elderly.
They can take up abuse-related issues directly with the unit and their cases
will be fought for free.

                               FEW IMPORTANT LAW IN FAVOR OF ELDERLY:-

● Section 125 Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 (Order for maintenance of wives, children and parents)

● An elderly woman facing abuse or turned out of the house by her children can also lodge a complaint under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. If there is any evidence of abuse the children can be jailed.

●A male victim can seek justice under Section 323 of the Indian Penal Code.

●The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, has had few takers so far, says Calcutta High Court advocate Jaymalya Bagchi. But this Act compels a child or heir to provide maintenance, including food, clothing, residence and medical attendance, up to Rs 10,000 to parents, including adoptive parents or step-parents.

          SOME SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION REGARDING ELDERLY CARE IN KOLKATA:-

♠ FIRST GERIATRIC CONSULTANT:-

                              DR.KOUSHIK MAJUMDER,MRCP,FRCP-Presently attached with NNC

♠ FIRST GERIATRIC SEPARATE OPD UNIT:-

                               MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL ON 04.08.2001

 OTHER STATE HOSPITAL WHERE SEPARATE GERIATRIC UNIT IS AVAILABLE:-

IPGME&R (SSKM)

CALCUTTA NATIONAL MEDICAL COLLEGE

♠ FIRST GERIATRIC SEPARATE UNIT IN PRIVATE HOSPITAL:-

                              AMRI(DHAKURIA)

♠ FIRST 24 HOURS HELP LINE & EMERGENCY HEALTHCARE SUPPORT TO HOME:-

                              BANCHBO healing touch(www.banchbo.org.in),HELP DESK-(91)9903388556/9231914390

♠ FIRST HELP DESK OF KOLKATA POLICE FOR ELDERLY:-

                             PRONAM- (033)24190740

♠ FIRST TRAINING INSTITUTE ON GERONTOLOGY:-

                             Calcutta Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology

           KEY PERSON RELATED WITH GERIATRIC CARE IN KOLKATA:-

                     ♦DR.KOUSHIK MAJUMDER,MRCP,FRCP-Geriatric Consultant, Founder of CARES

                     ♦DR.POOVIAH- Geriatric Consultant,AMRI

                     ♦DR.SUBRATA MAITRA-Geriatric Consultant.
                   *DR.TAPAS DAS- Incharge,Geriatric Unit,IPGME&R(SSKM)

                     ♦DR.SUDIPTA KR.SEN-Eminent Medicine Consultant.

                     ♦DR.A.K.ROY CHOWDHURY- Eminent Physician,Chief Medical Adviser,
BANCHBO healing touch.

                     ♦DR.DHIRES KR.CHOWDHURY- Chief Functionary, BANCHBO healing touch.

                     ♦DR.INDRANI CHAKRABORTY- Director, Calcutta Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology.

                     ♦AMIT ROY-President, Safhi.

                     ♦DR.DIPANKAR DEBNATH-Geriatric Consultant. Institute of Geriatric Care & Research.

             HELP A CALL AWAY (ORGANISATION FOR ELDERLY CARE IN KOLKATA):-

                        ♥ Pronam: (033)24190740

                        ♥ Dignity Foundation: (033)30690999

                        ♥ Helpage India: 1800-345-1253

                        ♥ BANCHBO healing touch: (033)65160058,(91)9903388556
(For medical emergencies only)

                        ♥ Saanjhbaati: (91)9748856000

                        ♥ CARES: (91)9830779291

                        ♥ SOCIETY OF GERIATRIC ANIMATOR: (033)65197474

• Alzheimer and Related diseases Society of India (A.R. D.S.I.)
• Indian Association of Retired Persons
• Bethune Institute of Geriatrics Research and Rehabilitation Centre

                         ♥ Institute of Geriatric Care & Research: (91)9830372605

       ♣ SIGNIFICANT DAY CELEBRATION FOR ELDERLY:-

                       1ST OCTOBER, INTERNATIONAL SENIOR CITIZEN DAY,
ORGANISED BY VISWA PRABIN DIBAS UDJAPPAN COMMITTEE
 If any one like to modify/correct/add any information please inform without any hesitation