As Defence colony has more than 2000 senior citizens (60+) and approx. 500 super seniors above 75 years, there is a need for them to enjoy these golden years to the fullest. We met them during the last 3- 4 months at the colony parks, clubs, market and also at their homes to know what are their needs and wants to enjoy like others in a healthy environment. The following is the first-hand feedback:
* The first support is during medical emergency for seniors. The major issues are heart attacks, fall in the house, fatigue or uneasiness etc. which need immediate support.
* The medicines for their regular treatment are also a challenge for few and even getting the attendants for ailing seniors is also a difficult task (and the charges are quite high due to increasing demand).
* Entertainment: as many can’t move from house to parks, or senior citizen forum or their bedroom is the root cause of many diseases?
* Pilgrimage or fun trips …. They have money but there is no one to coordinate with them to travel for pilgrimage or fun …these trips surely add more years to them!!
* Security: most of the seniors are staying alone at home as their kids are either abroad or are busy in their professional life
* Civic issues: They face the issues of sewers, water, electricity etc. and have no energy or resources to get them resolved on priority …Senior needs top priority for sure!
How to make them happy and motivated to live life king size?
• We need to create a senior citizen committee to support them
• This committee must do a door-to-door survey to enroll all the seniors or the people who are retired prematurely. This would create a base to plan various support activities for them
• The seniors must have a special helpline number to get immediate attention in case of any emergency or any other need!! We have seen that these helplines were tried to get some popularity but after meeting the seniors it is clear that it was just an eyewash as the situation is getting worse with each passing month … we have seen that during the flooding of colony in June, there was no one to give special support to the seniors who even got water entering their drawing rooms!
• Security – The list of all the seniors must be given to the police station and the beat constable must visit them regularly to create safe atmosphere for them
• Entertainment – We must create a group of people who are fun loving and keep travelling in groups to add our seniors for future travel. This travel will be useful to unite our seniors who will mix up to start interacting with each other after every trip.
• The seniors need special attention for medical issues, health checkups etc. We need to act in a jiffy to support them timely. Any medicine even in odd hours may be shared in the group and can be provided to each other.
• Birthdays and anniversaries: These special days will be noted and will be celebrated as per the choice of the seniors to make them feel special.
Lastly, as we all will get older and would need some basic infrastructure, let’s start creating special care and support for our seniors who would be useful in future as the seniors are increasing in our colony and their blessings are must for all of us at all times.
