Elderline—a toll free helpline for elderly persons—has extended greetings to senior citizens community on the occasion of “World Elders Day”.
In a letter, Elderline encouraged senior citizens to feel free to call the toll-free number 14567 to avail services provided to them.
The helpline is operative and would be available for calls, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days of the week.
The helpline is mandated to facilitate in providing five crucial services including: information-related to elders’ care service providers, pension, government schemes, benefits etc., based on a caller’s requirements; guidance to senior citizens on legal and pension related issues; emotional support – the helpline team would offer counselling support and if required connect with partners specialised in this area; direct field intervention rescue and reunion of homeless elderly where the team would facilitate rescue of homeless senior citizens and arrange accommodations in old age homes managed by NGOs or government run facilities at the same time facilitate the process towards reuniting them with families; abuse – the helpline team will assist senior citizens in getting their abuse complaint(s) resolved through Maintenance Tribunal or with the help of other stakeholders.
Some of the major stakeholders in addressing senior citizens’ requirement through helpline include: union ministry of social justice and empowerment, national institute of social defence, state social welfare/social justice department, police & health department, deputy commissioners, state legal service authority, tribunal authority, senior citizens’ association Nagaland, unique identification authority of India, senior citizens’ association Nagaland, all Nagaland counselling association, the cloud room Kohima, churches and other religious organisations, Naga hospital authority Kohima, bethel hospital, Kohimas hospital Kohima, old age homes and NGOs.
It may be mentioned that on December 14, 1990, the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons (World Elders Day).
The holiday was observed for the first time on October 1, 1991. The day is celebrated by raising awareness about issues affecting the elderly, such as senescence and elder abuse. It is also a day to appreciate the contributions older people make to the society.