Eden Alternative Training in India at TISS

Eden Alternative Training, India

Dec 9^th & 10^th, 2010

9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Eden Educator: Reis Woollen with Silver Inning Foundation

Venue:

Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, India

Deonar, Mumbai - 400 088

Tel: 91-22-2552 5680

Host:

The Centre for Lifelong Learning, TISS, Mumbai

The Centre for Lifelong Learning, TISS and Silver Inning Foundation are happy to announce a two day workshop on  Eden Alternative Training to be held at TISS on the 9th and 10th of December,2010.

Eden at Home (EAH) applies our Ten-Principle Philosophy to improving quality of life for Elders living at home and their care partners.  A community-based approach to person-centered care, EAH focuses on building collaborative care partner teams that include the active participation of the Elder herself.   Working together, empowered care partner teams help to ensure the independence, dignity, and continued growth and development of our Elder care partners and each other.

What does attending this workshop provide?

 After training, you will inspire care partners, both within their organization and out in the community, to:

    * Reframe perceptions of aging and disability

    * Work together to reduce stress & burnout

    * Build strategies on strengths, rather than limitations

    * Develop meaningful connections with each other

    * Create opportunities for all to give as well as receive

    * Communicate effectively & thoughtfully

    * Share joy, hope, wisdom, spontaneity, & respect

    * Prevent loneliness, helplessness, & boredom for all on the care partner team

 Registration Fees: Rs. 600 . The fee includes working materials and hospitality & small donation to Silver Inning Foundation for cause of Elderly.

Payment to be made at: Cash counter at TISS between 10.30 am and 1pm on all working days. A copy of the receipt will have to be brought along on the 9th December at the time of registering.

Kindly send in your confirmation to Prof. Nasreen Rustomfram, nasreen_r@tiss.edu or  Mr. Sailesh Mishra at silverinnings@gmail.com before 7th December,2010.Any queries may be addressed to both the above on the given email IDs.

Only few seats , Register Now!

About The Eden Alternative: The Eden Alternative is a small not-for-profit organization making a big difference in the world. Based on the core belief that aging should be a continued stage of development and growth, rather than a period of decline.The Eden Alternative 10 Principles is seeking to remake the experience of aging around the world. The core concept of The Eden Alternative is strikingly simple. Dr. William Thomas, his wife Judy, the Eden home office staff, 50 Eden Educators, 60 mentors and more than 15,000 associates teach that where elders live must be habitats for human beings, not sterile medical institutions. They are dedicated to eliminating the plagues of loneliness, helplessness, and boredom that make life intolerable in most of today’s long-term care facilities.

The Centre for Lifelong Learning : The Centre for Lifelong Learning is an independent centre at Tata Institute of Social Sciences. The mission of this Centre is to work with adult learners who seek to work with the disadvantaged and vulnerable sections of society and also cater to people who would like to continue their education by taking up professional courses. To this end, it offers part-time Diploma Programmes in Gerontology and Counselling. Besides, it conducts a range of outreach and short-term programmes for professionals, Para-professionals and volunteers. The thematic contents of these programmes focus upon work-related needs as also self-growth and individual development.

Silver Inning Foundation: Silver Inning Foundation is registered NGO dedicated for the cause of Senior Citizens. It is part of social enterprise Silver Innings which hosts one of the most comprehensive and dedicated website for elderly &their family www.silverinnigs.com . The vision, mission and goals of SIF are centered on creating and implementing services and programmes that are holistic in nature and address the need to acknowledge the much needed supportive environment that the elderly deserve. It looks at reintegrating the elderly into mainstream society and lives with dignity. Silver Innings is working towards creating Elder Friendly World where Ageing becomes a Positive and Rewarding Experience.

Reis Woollen: Ms.Reis Woollen (RN-BC, BSN/BSc, CRRN) who is trained Geriatric Nurse from California has successfully completed The Eden Alternative Associates and Eden Educator training. Reis is currently working with Silver Inning Foundation as Director-Eldercare Education. 

TEN PRINCIPLES BY EDEN ALTERNATIVE

TEN PRINCIPLES


1. The three plagues of loneliness, helplessness, and boredom account for the bulk of suffering among our Elders.



2. An Elder-centered community commits to creating a human habitat where life revolves around close and continuing contact with plants, animals, and children. It is these relationships that provide the young and old alike with a pathway to a life worth living.


3. Loving companionship is the antidote to loneliness. Elders deserve easy access to human and animal companionship.


4. An Elder-centered community creates opportunity to give as well as receive care. This is the antidote to helplessness.


5. An Elder-centered community imbues daily life with variety and spontaneity by creating an environment in which unexpected and unpredictable interactions and happenings can take place. This is the antidote to boredom.


6. Meaningless activity corrodes the human spirit. The opportunity to do things that we find meaningful is essential to human health.


7. Medical treatment should be the servant of genuine human caring, never its master.


8. An Elder-centered community honors its Elders by de-emphasizing top-down bureaucratic authority, seeking instead to place the maximum possible decision-making authority into the hands of the Elders or into the hands of those closest to them.


9. Creating an Elder-centered community is a never-ending process. Human growth must never be separated from human life.


10. Wise leadership is the lifeblood of any struggle against the three plagues. For it, there can be no substitute.

World Elders' Day to be observed on October 1 in Koraput

World Elders' Day to be observed on October 1 in Koraput


The members of the organization are working round the clock, move one place to the other to identify the forgotten old people and inviting them to attend the function on October 1.
CJ: K. Sudhakar Patnaik Fri, Sep 24, 2010 12:44:12 IST

THE WORLD Senior Citizens’ Day (World Elders’ Day) for the second time this year is going to be celebrated in Koraput DISTRICT of Odisha State on the eve of World Elders’ Day 2010 on October, 1, 2010. ‘PRACHESTHA’ (an integral trust for holistic development of the society ), a non profit organisation working for the old, young and children, who are in helpless condition going to celebrate the day.

The members of the organization are working round the clock, moving from one place to the other to identify the forgotten old people and inviting them to attend the function on 1st October. It is common on the part of the old to forget 1st October as World Elders’ Day. The members of the organization once, twice, thrice and four times knock the doors of the elderly people reminding the day and requesting them to attend the function.

This itself is the new way to approach the old to invite for the celebration. The members have decided to organize a health camp and to provide medicines free of cost. They are also planning to accommodate the old comfortably, providing food, safe drinking water.

The superior Justice Dr. Debadutta Das, who is also the General Director, International Lawyers for world peace, Panel Executive, World Peace Prize Committee has given his consent to attend the function as Chief Guest. The Collector and District Magistrate, Rajesh Pravakar Patil assured to provide required financial assistance for meeting the food expenses said Manoranjan Routray, Managing Trustee of PRACHESTHA.

Manoranjan, while talking to this correspondent told that around six hundred elderly people particularly from undivided Koraput districts (Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri) are expected to attend the function. The organization also decided to honour three eminent personalities, who have contributed a lot for the benefit of the society and for the development if this region.

Seminar on ageing gracefully

Seminar on ageing gracefully

The Hindu
Online edition of India's National Newspaper


Monday, Sep 06, 2010
Staff Reporter

‘Ageing is inevitable and everyone has to confront it some day.'

KOCHI: Alzheimer's and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI) in association with the Rotary Club of Cochin is organising a seminar on ‘Ageing gracefully – planning for retirement' on September 11, targeted at people in their early fifties and for managers in Human Resource departments in various organisations as well as the general public.

Ageing is inevitable and everyone has to confront it some day, said neurologist Mathew Abraham, and retirement can be very traumatic. This is the phase when there is a sudden change in one's routine and most people find it difficult to handle the loneliness and emptiness. The feeling of uselessness is perhaps the most prevalent reason for depression, says Dr. Abraham.

Many who have held high positions begin to feel neglected as the frills attached to the position disappear with retirement.

Women are somewhat better at handling emotional problems of the sudden emptiness in their lives, says Dr. Abraham.

Since they have a routine at home and they had been dealing with a lot of emotional problems and making adjustments in the day-to-day running of the house, women are mentally more adept in settling into the new mode, Dr. Abraham said.

The seminar, to be conducted at IMA House, would take up issues of health, managing finances, legal issues and succession planning and evolving a positive mindset of indulging in activities that would not just utilise their free time but also give them a feeling of fulfilment.

A registration fee of Rs. 100 would be charged for the meeting to be held at IMA Hall, Kaloor, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For registration contact: 2315430, 2314239.

Default Retirement Age to be scrapped

Source : Age UK
Published on 29 July 2010 12:00 AM

The Government announced this morning that the Default Retirement Age will be scrapped by October 2011, under proposals published for consultation today.

Age UK has led the campaign to abolish the Default Retirement Age. Today’s welcome announcement marks a victory in our fight against age discrimination in the workplace. We believe that ending forced retirement has many benefits – giving employment security to hundreds of thousands of people, enabling people to save for longer for their retirement and allowing people the dignity of choosing when to retire. Enabling people to work and contribute their skills for longer not only keeps them active – it also makes economic sense as our population ages.

We are delighted that the Government is finally setting a clear date for the abolition of this arbitrary and unfair law. Around 100,000 people were forced to retire at or after 65 last year by this discriminatory measure. Scrapping the DRA means security for the hundreds of thousands more previously at risk of being forced out of their jobs simply because of their age.

Michelle Mitchell, Age UK Charity Director, said: “Everybody stands to win from scrapping forced retirement. People over 65 will have full employment rights for the first time. The economy will benefit from older workers’ precious skills and experience and their increased buying power. Public finances will receive a boost from more people paying taxes for longer.”

Sr citizens’ associations to protest on Aug 16 against government ignorance

Sr citizens’ associations to protest on Aug 16 against government ignorance


Published: Saturday, Aug 14, 2010, 3:41 IST

By Linah Baliga
Place: Mumbai
Agency: DNA

Associations of senior citizens from across the country have decided to observe a national protest day at Azad Maidan on August 16.

The All India Senior Citizens’ Confederation (AISCCON) and the Federation of Senior Citizens of Maharashtra (FESCOM) had been trying for three years to draw the government’s attention to the non-implementation of provisions in the National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP), 1999. With no response forthcoming, the bodies have decided to protest with the support of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (Tiss).

Elderly people would come together to tell the government that they could affect voting patterns in elections. “Eighty per cent of senior citizens vote,” said Nasreen Rustomfram, a professor at the Tiss and chairperson of its centre for lifelong learning. “Given that the elderly form a large part of the electorate, political will must be created to address their concerns.”

DN Chapke, secretary general of the AISCCON, said, “There are so many senior citizens who do not get one square meal a day. They don’t have any savings. With rising inflation, the major issue is health. Our demand is that universal health care be provided free of cost by the government.” Other demands include that one representative of senior citizens should be present on the committee that disburses pensions. Also, the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (2007) amount should be increased from Rs400 to Rs500.

“This will give some dignity to senior citizens, as they will not be required to leave their homes due to lack of money,” said S Siva Raju, professor and chairperson of the school for social sciences at the Tiss.

“We should promote the concept of ageing at home, where they can have facilities and continue to lead a meaningful life. They are often not mentally and culturally prepared to move away from home.” Senior citizens have also demanded that day care centres be set up in each locality in the city. Chapke said, “This will reduce the need of old age homes. The centres should be within a radius of one km from their homes.”

Centre for Lifelong Learning organises Press Conference on August 13, 2010 at TISS supporting Senior Citizens National Protest Day- August 16, 2010

Dear friends,


The Joint Action Committee of Senior Citizens consisting of over twenty organisations from all over India has organised a Protest Day on Aug 16th, 2010 to highlight the apathy of the Central and State governments toward the issues of 10 Crore Senior Citizens of this country. For complete details, pl. go to http://groups.google.co.in/groups/scnpd

The Centre for Lifelong Learning, TISS in support of the just and long neglected demands of Senior Citizens and their Associations has organised a Press Conference to be held on the 13th August, 2010. at 2.30pm in the TISS Convention Centre Lobby, Naoroji Campus, Deonar Farm Road. Deonar, Mumbai,400088.

The Press Conference will be addressed by Prof. S. Parasuraman,Director, TISS, Dr. Kinjawdekar, President, AISSCON, Dr Chapke, General Secretary, AISSCON, Mr. Vijay Aundhe,President, FESSCOM, Prof. Sivaraju, Chairperson, Centre for Develpment Studies, TISS.

Kindly find attached the Action Plan circulated by the Joint Action Committee in Marathi and English, as also the Memorandum presented by the Joint Action Committee to the Prime Minister of India, Shri Manmohan Singh.The documents depict a tale of humiliation and neglect which lakhs of Senior Citizens are subject to in terms of their basic human rights concerning health, social security and mental and emotional well being. All legislation remains on paper.

To illustrate but a few:
- The National Policy for Older Persons (NPOP) despite having been adopted by the Central Government 11 years ago has not received a nod from 28 States and Union Territorries.Not a SINGLE State of India has fully implemented it.


- 32 States and Union territorries are yet to operationalise the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizen's Act,2007 even three years after its enactment.

- In the Union budget for the year 2007-2008, out of the 22 crores allocated to the schemes for welfare of Senior Citizens, 12 crores were returned unutilised.

-The announcement by Mr. P. Chidambaram to set up a National Institute of Ageing, with an allocation of Rs 100 crores and 8 Regional Institutes with an allocation of 200 crores remains just that -- an announcement.

The list can run into pages.We exhort you to go through the attached documents to understand the enormity of the problem that is being faced by the elders in our country.

Your participation in the Press Conference as also demonstrating your solidarity on August 16th by wearing a black band and joining the march to Azad Maidan, will go a long away in supporting this Protest. You are also invited to post messages on our blog www.centreforlifelonglearningtiss.blogspot.com

In Solidarity with the Joint Action Committee,

Prof. Nasreen Rustomfram,
Mr. Sandip Ravindra,
Ms. Pallavi Kumari,
Ms. Megha Nikam

Capacity Building Programme for Zonal Directors and Deputy Directors of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan: Organised by Centre for Lifelong Learning, Sponsored by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan

Group Activity

A three day Capacity Building Programme for Zonal Directors and Deputy Directors of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) was designed and implemented by Centre for Lifelong Learning from 2- 4 August 2010. This three day residential programme was designed to introduce the Zonal Directors and Deputy Directors to their role as a composite, united senior managment teamwhich is individually and collectively euipped to provide leadership to the district level functionaries. The programme was inaugurated by Shri A. K. Upadhyay, Secretary (YA), Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India  and Shri Sailesh, Joint secretary (YA), Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India cum Director General, NYKS.
The programme focussed on the following:

• Enhance their ability to envision the devising of innovative programmes for the youth clubs
• Develop skills for effective organisational communication, teamwork and conflict resolution and for managing stress.
• Learn the basic techinical skills of planning, monitoring and evaluating projects with focus on how of work with network with variety of youth programmes and missions which provide a platform for youth development.

National Workshop for Peer Counsellors on Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace: Organised by CLL, TISS and Sponsored by RBI

Centre for Lifelong Learning, TISS, Mumbai organised  a three day workshop which was sponsored by Reserve Bank of India for the two batches: 28 -30 June 2010 and 5-7 July 2010.

The first day of the workshop introduction to the issue of  Sexual Harassment, existing legal framework for addressing the issue and introduction to Peer Counselling. The second day focussed on the skills required for Peer Counselling. The skills focussed on Interpersonal Communication, Active Listening, Ways of Problem Solving and Conflict Resolution. The third day included hands-on practice of the skills learnt over the two day workshop.

Causes of depression in the elderly

Many elderly adults face significant life changes and stressors that put them at risk for depression. Those at the highest risk include older adults with a personal or family history of depression, failing health, substance abuse problems, or inadequate social support.

Causes and risk factors that contribute to depression in the elderly include:

Loneliness and isolation – Living alone; a dwindling social circle due to deaths or relocation; decreased mobility due to illness or loss of driving privileges.

Reduced sense of purpose - Feelings of purposelessness or loss of identity due to retirement or physical limitations on activities.

Health problems – Illness and disability; chronic or severe pain; cognitive decline; damage to body image due to surgery or disease.

Medications – Many prescription medications can trigger or exacerbate depression.

Fears – Fear of death or dying; anxiety over financial problems or health issues.

Recent bereavement - The death of friends, family members, and pets; the loss of a spouse or partner.

Senior citizens plan to stand up for their rights

Senior citizens plan to stand up for their rights


July 1st, 2010


Dismayed by red tape and upset with the tardy implementation of a government policy concerning them, India’s senior citizens are planning a nationwide agitation a day after Independence Day.

The protest will put forward their demands for concessions in essential services, health cover, higher return on their investments with an in-built compensation mechanism for the increase in the cost of living, dwindling interest rates, and proper implementation of the National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP), 1999, passed as The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens’ Act in 2007.

The last census in 2001 put the number of senior citizens aged more than 60 years at 7.7 crore. The number is slated to grow substantially with better quality of life and improved medical services — at least in the urban areas.

The latest trigger for the protests, which begin on August 16, is the nonchalant attitude of policymakers towards them, says Dr P Vyasamoorthy, Joint Coordinator, Joint Action Committee for Senior Citizens National Protest Day. “Only three states have implemented the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens’ Act so far,” says Vyasamoorthy. “The government had appointed a review Committee to look into the policy. The major problem lies in its implementation,” he adds.

The review panel, formed in January 2010 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, was asked to draft a new policy for the elderly in view of India’s emerging demographic, socio-economic and technology trends. “The existing policy has some loopholes that need to be plugged. The task is to reach a policy that works today as well as 50 years from now,” says Mathew Cherian, CEO, Help Age India.

A senior official of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said that the panel was given a six-month extension in May. To speed things up, four sub-committees on issues concerning the elderly have been formed and the report could be submitted to the government by October 2010.

The subcommittees will examine issues that concern senior citizens including their security and health needs, particularly those of women. “The committee is working on a policy that involves the creation of geriatric wards in all hospitals and a statutory body with the powers of a judicial court to deal with matters related to the elderly including specialised training to sensitise the police towards the elderly,” said the official.

Untreated Poor Vision in Elderly Linked to Dementia Study Shows

ScienceDaily (Feb. 20, 2010) — Elderly people with visual disorders that are left untreated are significantly more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease -- the most common form of dementia, according to a University of Michigan Health System study.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The study used Medicare data and shows that those with poor vision who visited an ophthalmologist at least once for an examination were 64 percent less likely to develop dementia.

The study appears online ahead of print in the American Journal of Epidemiology and may draw a new picture of poor vision as predictor of dementia rather than as a symptom after the diagnosis.

"Visual problems can have serious consequences and are very common among the elderly, but many of them are not seeking treatment," says lead author Mary A.M. Rogers, Ph.D, research assistant professor of internal medicine at the U-M Medical School and research director of the Patient Safety Enhancement Program at the U-M Health System and the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center.

For the study, Rogers and her colleague Kenneth M. Langa, M.D., Ph.D., professor of internal medicine at U-M Medical School, analyzed data from the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study and records from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

"Our results indicate that it is important for elderly individuals with visual problems to seek medical attention so that the causes of the problems can be identified and treated," Rogers says.

The types of vision treatment that were helpful in lowering the risk of dementia were surgery to correct cataracts and treatments for glaucoma, retinal disorders and other eye-related problems.

Proper vision is a requirement for many of the activities that previously have been found to lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease. These include reading, playing board games, other mentally stimulating activities, social networking, as well as physical activity such as walking and routine exercising. A visual disorder may interfere with normal mobility and may also hinder a person's ability to participate in such activities.

"Many elderly Americans do not have adequate health coverage for vision, and Medicare does not cover preventative vision screenings for most beneficiaries," Rogers says. "So it's not unusual that the elderly receive vision treatment only after a problem is severe enough to warrant a visit to the doctor when the problem is more advanced."

According to a survey conducted by the National Eye Health Education Program, less than 11 percent of respondents understood that there are no early warning signs for eye problems such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

However, vision problems and blindness are among the top 10 disabilities among adults and can result in a greater tendency to experience other health conditions or even to die prematurely.

"While heart disease and cancer death rates are continuing to decline, mortality rates for Alzheimer's disease are on the rise," says Rogers. "So if we can delay the onset of dementia, we can save individuals and their families from the stress, cost and burden that are associated with Alzheimer's disease."

The study was based on the surveys and medical information from 625 people compiled from 1992-2005. Only 10 percent of Medicare beneficiaries who developed dementia had excellent vision at the beginning of the study, while 30 percent of those who maintained normal cognition had excellent vision at the onset of the study.

One in five Americans who are over age 50 report experiencing a visual impairment, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Approximately 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease and the number has doubled since 1980. It is expected to be as high as 13 million by 2050.

Funding was provided by the National Institute on Aging

Elderly and depression: How to understand Depression in the elderly 1/6

Depression in the elderly is very common. It can be triggered by social isolation and the emotional reaction to the loss of loved family members or friends. Depression in the elderly can make them withdraw from all social contact.


‘Depression is perhaps the most frequent cause of emotional suffering in later life’ said Dan G Blazer, Professor of Psychiatry at DukeUniversity. Being socially isolated, particularly after the death of a partner, and co-existing illness may contribute towards depression in elderly. Depression often goes undiagnosed or untreated so it becomes an increasing public health issue in our ageing society. The challenge, then, is more one of managing depression effectively in later life rather than understanding the condition.

How widespread is depression among older people? Recent surveys suggest a prevalence between 1.8% in the over 55s to 15% in those over 85. While depression is actually less prevalent among the old, compared to the young, major depression may be more common. There is also a clear link between chronic disease and depression, with those in nursing homes showing higher rates than those living in the community. But is the link a causal one? We know that illness can cause depression (and vice versa), but we cannot be sure residents of nursing homes are depressed because they are ill or because their care is not sufficiently ‘caring’.

And when it comes to the gender gap, it’s well known that women are more prone to depression in Europe and North America. But a new study from China, covering 2,633 adults, showed that the gender difference is insignificant, save in the 35-49 age group where lifetime prevalence for major depression for men was 3.6% compared to 2.3% for women.

There is also a cultural dimension to elderly depression. A meta-analysis of nine European centres revealed a prevalence of 8.8% in Iceland in the 88-89 age group compared to 23.6% in Munich in the over 85s. And, among the ‘oldest old’ 2% declared ‘life not worth living’ and 3% ‘wish to be dead’ in Iceland, compared to 16% and 25% in Berlin and 30% and 29% in Munich. The researchers wondered if some lingering distress from the Second World War could account for high rates of depression among very elderly Germans.

Causes of depression in the elderly

Pain, functional limitations, visual impairment, stroke, loneliness, lack of social support, negative life events, and perceived inadequacy of care have all been linked to depression in the elderly. Living alone or being socially isolated is also a risk factor for depression. It is certainly possible that, if personal privacy were very important to the resident, a perceived lack of privacy could contribute to feelings of depression. Browse through HealthandAge's Information for Caregivers for tips on choosing nursing homes/care facilities and recognizing depression in the elderly.

Finally, a number of risk factors for elderly depression have been identified, including medical burden, bereavement, chronic insomnia, cerebrovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. In the next article in this series, we will explore differences between depression in elderly and young persons.


Source: adapted from ‘Elderly depression. 1. Its prevalence, causes and implications for society’ Heinz Redwood, August 2009. Visit website http://www.healthandage.com/elderly-and-depression-how-to-understand-depression-in-the-elderly-14

Addressing an age old issue of the elderly

Addressing an age old issue of the elderly

The outcome of a case study by Birla Institute of Technology and Science and Swinburne, Ageing: Social Issues could do much to solve the daily challenges faced by India's ageing population problems, giving them independence in their own homes.

DAILY CHALLENGES facing India’s ageing population are confronted in a new book co-authored by Swinburne University of Technology, Australia academic Rashmi Kapoor.

The outcome of a case study by Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) and Swinburne, Ageing: Social Issues, could do much to solve these problems, giving elderly people independence in their own homes.

According to Kapoor, by identifying these issues, Swinburne and BITS can begin to engineer products that best suit the needs of India’s elderly population.

“For example, one of the most common problems reported by the elderly was difficulty lifting and moving. These issues can be solved quite easily by installing railings along walls and bars at an angle in the bathroom so people can grab them at any height,” Kapoor said.

“Another problem we identified was difficulty gripping and holding on to objects. In this case, round door handles or taps, that older people can’t grip properly, can be replaced with bar-like handles that can be easily opened.”

According to Kapoor, age-related weakening is a growing problem in India and other developing countries as the elderly population are not used to living on their own.

“Unlike Western society where it is expected that elderly people will live by themselves, problems associated with ageing are relatively new for India’s elderly - this is where the collaboration between BITS and Swinburne is very important,” Kapoor said.

“Many of these engineering solutions have already been found successful in Australia, so now we can develop similar products for India’s ageing population.”

Kapoor believes that this book will also be a useful resource for other designers.

“By making this research available in a book, designers can adapt and create products that meet the specific needs of the elderly. So in the future if they are making a knife, for example, they know it has to have a chunky handle so it doesn’t slip out of someone’s hand.”

(Source: http://www.merinews.com/article/addressing-an-age-old-issue-of-the-elderly/15799820.shtml)

Rush in your applications for the Diploma Programmes in Gerontology and Counselling!

A good news for all those who are interested in the Diploma programmes (Counselling and Gerontology). The dates for receiving applications have been extended for the Diploma Programme in Counselling and Diploma Programme in Gerontology for the academic year 2010 - 2011. So please make use of this opportunity.

Hurry up and send in your application for these two courses as soon as possible.

Elder abuse on the rise

Elder abuse on the rise

Posted On Saturday, May 08, 2010 at 04:08:15 PM

With changing demographical equations, the elderly are being marginalised globally. International visitors at TISS discuss elder abuse
Vrunda Moghe Dev Deonar

This aspect was discussed at length at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) by Susan B Somers, General Secretary, International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) on Monday. She was accompanied by Sailesh Mishra, founder president, Silver Innings, a Bandra-based NGO and Reese Woollen, a geriatric nurse working on a module for the care of the elderly in India. Somers was in India to explore the possibility of networking with groups working in this field.

INPEA, an international NGO is a legal entity in the US and was started around 14 years ago by Welsley Wolf, considered to be a pioneer in the field of elder abuse and the organization works in an international framework coordinating with the already existing care-givers and holding orientation programmes for such workers.

Somers, a practising lawyer in the field in the USA, says, “The implications of ageing in India and South Asia with regard to frailty, dementia or Alzheimer’s need to be studied and what we could do to support the family structure can be explored. Even if cultures are different the issues are similar.”

Referring to her visit to Nepal, she says that already there were a few individuals and groups working in the field and adds, “We have just tried to develop a curriculum for their training for updating of knowledge.” Dr Nusreen Rustomfram of the TISS feels that it is important to look into the possibility of how the elderly can stand up against abuse. In India, she feels the situation is complex as the elderly do not bring the injustice done to them in the open.


“There are always the defences, rationalizations and denials like saying that the son or daughter must have done it in anger, it may not recur, etc,” she says.Dr S Parasuraman, director of TISS states, “Considering the breakdown of the family system and migration, the number of caregivers in this category is small and training poor.

There is a great need across the country for proper training of these groups.” The situation he feels is complex considering the various socio-economic strata in the country: these need to be identified and some sort of universality could be worked out but he admits that it is a huge agenda. The challenge is even greater as 70 percent of the elderly in India are poor and vulnerable.


There is a staggering population of 90 million elders in India and the government has given no proper guidelines on the issue of care or abuse of the elderly.


Besides physical and mental abuse, Sommers has come across even sexual abuse of the elderly which is horrifying. “In the US,” she explains, “the elders have a right to a lawyer, right not to be discriminated against on grounds of age and the right to choose health and medical care.

Elders need to know that they are valuable. In the American legal system the penal aspect of crime against the elders is taken care of as there is an enhancement of a sentence for a crime against an elder as it sends a strong message to the perpetrator of the crime.”

One Year Diploma in Gerontology 2010 -11: TISS,India

The Centre for Lifelong learning at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai announces one-year Diploma Programme in Gerontology 2010 -11

Duration: June 2010 to April 2011

The last day for receiving applications is the 30th May, 2010

 

Goals of the Diploma Programme in Gerontology

 To prepare learners for interdisciplinary practice with older adults and their families while providing professional leadership in the field of Gerontology.

To generate a trained cadre of functionaries for effective intervention based on a Human Rights perspective for enhancing the 'Quality of Life' of Older Adults

Objectives of the Diploma Programme in Gerontology

 
 To offer a comprehensive interdisciplinary 'rights-based' perspective in the field of gerontology

To inculcate a holistic understanding of the biological, social, political and economic issues involved in working with Older Adults

To impart the necessary attitudes and skills for making effective interventions in the field of Gerontology

Duration of the Course:

 One- year, Part-time, Programme: Friday (5.30 pm - 8.30 pm) and Saturdays (10.00am- 6.00 pm). A detailed outline of each Course is given below.

 

List of course and distribution of credits:

 - Basic Course 1 Gerontology: A Multidisciplinary Perspective (2 Credits)

- Basic Course 2: Health and Wellbeing I (2 Credits)

- Basic Course 3: Health and Wellbeing II (2 Credits)

- Basic Course 4: Policies, Programmes and Management of Services for Older Adults (2 Credits)

- Basic Course 5: Family Dynamics, Skills and Interventions (2 Credits)

- Basic Course 6: Collective Action, Advocacy and Networking ( 2 Credits)

- Basic Course 7: Developmental Interventions with Older Adults (2 Credits)

- Basic Course 8: Older Adults with Special Needs (2 Credits)

- SC I: Ageing and Media (2 Credits)

- SC II: Training for Human Resource Development (2 Credits)

- SC III: Creative Arts and Work with Older Adults (2 Credits)

- SC IV: The Professional Self (Non-Credit Compulsory Course (15 hours)

- Term Paper: Case Study of an Organisation (2 Credits)

- Field Practicum (Exposure Visits and Direct Field Work) (14 Credits)

Total: 38 Credits

  

Eligibility:

•  A Bachelor's Degree (under10+2+3+ or 10+2+2+1) year bridge course pattern of study or any other pattern fulfilling the mandatory requirements of 15 years formal education), in any discipline and minimum age of 25 years. Priority would be given to those who are working in social work organisations.
• Graduate in any discipline. Preference to be given to those with work experience in clinical, social and developmental settings.
• All NGO personnel involved with geriatric services in fields such as health, mental health and education; administrators of human service organizations and corporate sector personnel.
• The Course will cater to all who intend to branch out or initiate services for the elderly.
• The Diploma Programme has an interdisciplinary focus and so it will invite those from medical, legal and financial backgrounds who wish to address issues of elderly and to audit specific subjects in particular.
• 5 Seats will be reserved for candidates in the Age Group 55+

 Work and Employment:

Gerontology is a growing and upcoming field thus after graduating the Course participants will be able to:

Engage in direct services

Initiate and sustain programmes and services for Older Adults

Be active members of inter-disciplinary teams working with Older Adults

Supervise and train field functionaries especially paraprofessionals and volunteers

Application of the Course inputs will be possible in all human service organisations: social agencies, medical and educational institutions as well as the whole gamut of initiatives for Older adults ranging from Institutional Care to Day Care Centres, Community-based interventions and Senior Citizens' Associations

Selection Procedure:

Those satisfying the eligibility requirements will be called for an interview by the Selection Committee. The list of selected candidates will be notified on the institute Notice Board. The Institute does not take responsibility for information by post.

Candidates may make enquiries through:

Telephone: +91-22-2556 3289 (8 lines), Extn. 252 / 237.

Centre for Lifelong Learning,

Tata Institute of Social Sciences,

 Deonar, Mumbai - 400 088

 Tel: 91-22-2552 5680

Web: www.tiss.edu

CLL -TISS ANNOUNCES TWO 1- YEAR Programmes 2010-2011

Some poems by our Alumini!

Your suggestions,opinions and comments matters!

Diploma Programme in Gerontology has been an evening programme for the last two years. However, looking at the need for this course and the increasing interest of  people in this programme, we are trying to make it more convinient and accessible as a part - time programme for the adult learners and professionals and looking forward to have it as a weekened programme (half of Friday & whole of Saturday) from the coming year.

For this we would like to invite your opinion, suggestions and comments as this programme is meant for the adult learners, professionals  and anyone who works or would like to work for the senior citizens and are above the age of 25 years. The next session begins in mid June 2010.Admission notice for this course would soon be available on blog  (http://www.centreforlifelonglearningtiss.blogspot.com/) and TISS website (http://www.tiss.edu/).

We value your communication so please share your opinion, suggestions and comment on this.

Lets make it available to all those who require professional training, want to learn more about this issue and work for the senior citizens.

Admission notice for Diploma Programme in Gerontology for the year 2010-2011 soon to be announced

Are you already working with senior citizens? Do you feel for the elderly in society? Do you wish to work for adding lives to the years for the aged in our society? Do you want to be be professionally trained to enhance effectiveness at workplace for the senior citizens?

If your answer to above questions is YES, you have an opportunity to get professionally trained for this. Centre for Lifelong Learning at TISS offers a part time Diploma Programme in Gerontology (working with senior citizens) which is in the offing. We will soon start the admission procedure for this course for the year 2010 -2011.

This is for the adult learners to provide them opportunity to learn and be trained so that they can enhance their capacities and improve their effectiveness at their woorkplace and for the cause at large. Adult learners implies anyone and everyone above 25 years of age and is interested to work for the senior citizen in society is eligible to appy for this course.

To get more information regarding the admission processes, please feel free to write to us on this blog and we will get back to you with all information needed.

RUSH to know more about the Programme and DO NOT miss this opportunity. We look forward to hear from you at the earliest.