Elder Wisdom Circle

When 85-year-old Mollie Pier was admitted to the hospital a few months ago after surgery, the first thing she asked for was a computer. Pier, an 85-year-old grandmother, is a member of the Elder Wisdom Circle, a group of seniors ages 60 to 103 who dispense advice via the Internet to young questioners from around the globe.

After applying to the group and going through a screening process, the seniors are free to scan submissions to see which ones they can best answer. "I've been asked everything from how to deal with the death of a loved one to how to start a worm farm from home," says Jim Kowalczyk, 64, one of the younger members of the circle.

The Elder Wisdom Circle has certainly caught on. With over 400 seniors, the group will answer about 3,000 submissions this month; it has expanded into advice columns in local papers and will unveil its first book next spring. EWC is even thinking of branching out into "Advice TV" with Webcams to help questioners interact more fully with the elders.

"A lot of people don't have standard family structure or elders to help them in tough situations, people are coming to us with complex problems," says Doug Meckelson, the group's founder.

Meckelson, who calls himself a "refugee from the corporate world," is not an elder himself but says he always had a strong affinity for seniors stemming from a close relationship with his maternal grandmother. "She always said we don't treat seniors well here, and told me I would do something about that one day," he said.

ElderWisdomCircle.org not only seeks to benefit the questioners, but advice givers as well. Mollie Pier's youngest son died of AIDS at the age of 37. She became active in the gay community through PFLAG (Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and now counsels other parents of gay children and young people dealing with their own sexuality.

"This gives you a sense of healing in the world," Pier says. "We can't do anything about politics or war, but if we can help each other, one on one, it might improve situations."

The questions can be difficult. Elder Wisdom is an anonymous service but "not a crisis hotline," Meckelson says. That doesn't stop people from writing in with dire situations, whether they are contemplating suicide or dealing with the death of a child.

"It's hard, we want people to get the help they need," Meckelson says.

Pier was recently asked a tough question about family dynamics and child rearing. She wrote a thoughtful response about coming to terms with a less-than-desirable situation and pulling together. As she always says, "Advice and wisdom go hand in hand."


Read more: http://www.dailygood.org/more.php?n=3940

Arthritis Health Program for Senior Citizens

Silver Inning Foundation in association with Cosmopolitan School has organised J & J Arthritis Health Program for Senior Citizens at Mira Road near Mumbai.

Arthritis is on the rise in India. An estimated 150 million people in the country suffer from arthritis of which one in ten people over the age of 50 suffer from knee & hip arthritis. In addition osteoporosis-affecting women in India is assuming epidemic proportions.

The symptoms of arthritis are severe and persistent pain or swelling in the joint that increases with age. Individuals experience difficulty in walking, climbing stairs, squatting on the floor and performing any normal activity. This condition, if neglected could even lead to crippling of the legs.

While the disease is common, awareness of arthritis and its treatment options is still very low. As a result those afflicted continue to suffer pain and immobility leading to a compromised quality of life. It is with this in mind that we wish to conduct forums on Arthritis & Its Management for senior citizens and any others possibly suffering from this disease.

Date: Sunday 29th November 2009

Time: 9.00 am to 12.00 noon

Venue: Cosmopolitan School , Sheetal Nagar , Near Ganesh Temple ,Mira Road .

The suggested flow of the event is as follows:

· Presentation by orthopedic doctor/ panel on Arthritis & Its Management

· Exercise demos by physiotherapist/ doctor

· Q&A session between audience & speakers

· Health Checkup

Day care center for Senior Citizens near Mumbai

Silver Innings Active Ageing Center , A day care center for Senior Citizens is managed by Silver Inning Foundation ,a registered NGO Working towards creating Elder Friendly World where Ageing becomes a Positive and Rewarding Experience.


Background:
Mira Road is India's one of the fastest developing cosmopolitan town on outskirt of western Mumbai. It’s part of Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation, which total population is around 10 Lakhs (around 1 million) , the Senior Citizens Population is estimated around 75 thousand. As this place has affordable housing till recently many people from Mumbai have migrated to this new satellite town boasting of post Graduation college, MBA Institute, Hospitals , Multiplexes and Malls. It’s also near to Essel world (theme park) and beautiful beach of Gorai. As more than 75% population are of working middle class ,there are lots of Elderly left alone with school going children’s and housewife. There are facilities for recreation like gardens, Jogger Park, religious places but there is big need for specific center for Elderly. Though there are two Elderly evening centers and two old age home but it’s not enough. A Day long activity center or partial day care center is a need of hour and will channelize the resources of elderly and different groups.

Retirement deprives older people of a major source of social interaction & mental stimulation. In retirement older person must discover alternative sources of stimulation. Some elder’s lead productive lives in retirement, many do not. Successful ageing can be achieved by Active Engagement with Life, Maintaining relationships and performing activities those are productive and meaningful to them. Productive activity can be paid or unpaid that generates goods and services of economical values, which are useful to society. Key factors for productive ageing are good health and overall ability to function, regular psychical activity, friendship and strong social support system, and personal characteristics, including better education and belief in one’s ability to handle what life has to offers. Another key mantra for promoting successful ageing is the need to stay connected with other people. Active participation and making a meaningful contribution have a greater impact on health then mere attendance. Emotional support, including expressions of affection, love, esteem and respect, is extremely important for successful aging. A positive mental and progressive attitude will help ensure successful ageing. Older people with high mental function are likely to retain psychical function and Psychical active elderly are more likely to maintain sharp mental activity. The Senior Center is created for inclusion of those isolated and lonely Elderly to a relatively healthy, and independent Elderly Community and to make them feel needed, dignified and self worthy.


Concept:
A center of ageing is a center where older adults come together for services and an activity that reflects their experience and skills, respond to their diverse needs and interests, enhance their dignity, support their independence, and encourage involvement with the community. As part of Comprehensive community strategy to meet the needs of older adults, senior center will offers services and activities within the center and link participants with resources offered by other agencies. Center programme will includes variety of individual and group services and activities. The center will also serves as a resource for the entire community for information on ageing, support for family care givers, training professionals, and for development of innovative approaches to addressing ageing issues.

The center will provide our Elderly opportunities to interact with others in the community, and the mental, psychical and emotional stimulation through social activities.


Silver Innings has hired a place for two years for 'Silver Innings Active Ageing Center ' which will be operational from Monday to Friday from 10am to 12 pm & 4pm to 7pm for 10th Dec 2009.


Present Activity:

Mini Library

Computer Training

Health, Fitness & Wellness programmes

Creative programme

Counseling and Advice

Intergeneration Programmes

Volunteer programmes/opportunities

Networking with like minded organizations

Information and assistance

Referral services

Social & Community programme

Recreation opportunities


Address:
Shop no. 10, Poonam Sagar Complex CHS LTD, Bldg.No. J -47/48,Opp.Sector 9, Behind Allahabad Bank, Mira Road – East , Mumbai. India. Pin: 401107.
Tel: 09987104233
Email: silverinnings@gmail.com
Website: www.silverinnings.com

Invitation for Launch of 'Silver Innings Active Ageing Center'

On Behalf of Trustees and Members of Silver Inning Foundation we have pleasure to invite you for the ‘Satyanarayan Puja’ (religious ceremony) for the opening of its first facility : Silver Innings Active Ageing Center , A day care center for Senior Citizens.

Date: Tuesday 1st Dec 2009

Time: 3pm to 7pm

Venue: Shop no. 10, Poonam Sagar Complex CHS LTD, Bldg.No. J -47/48,
Opp.Sector 9, Behind Allahabad Bank,
Mira Road – East
India. Pin: 401107.

Managed by Silver Inning Foundation ,a registered NGO Working towards creating Elder Friendly World where Ageing becomes a Positive and Rewarding Experience.

RSVP
Silver Innings
Tel: 9987104233 Email: silverinnings@gmail.com

Background:

Mira Road is India's one of the fastest developing cosmopolitan town on outskirt of western Mumbai. It’s part of Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation, which total population is around 10 Lakhs (around 1 million) , the Senior Citizens Population is estimated around 75 thousand. As this place has affordable housing till recently many people from Mumbai have migrated to this new satellite town boasting of post Graduation college, MBA Institute, Hospitals , Multiplexes and Malls. It’s also near to Essel world (theme park) and beautiful beach of Gorai. As more than 75% population are of working middle class ,there are lots of Elderly left alone with school going children’s and housewife. There are facilities for recreation like gardens, Jogger Park, religious places but there is big need for specific center for Elderly. Though there are two Elderly evening centers and two old age home but it’s not enough. A Day long activity center or partial day care center is a need of hour and will channelize the resources of elderly and different groups.

Retirement deprives older people of a major source of social interaction & mental stimulation. In retirement older person must discover alternative sources of stimulation. Some elder’s lead productive lives in retirement, many do not. Successful ageing can be achieved by Active Engagement with Life, Maintaining relationships and performing activities those are productive and meaningful to them. Productive activity can be paid or unpaid that generates goods and services of economical values, which are useful to society. Key factors for productive ageing are good health and overall ability to function, regular psychical activity, friendship and strong social support system, and personal characteristics, including better education and belief in one’s ability to handle what life has to offers. Another key mantra for promoting successful ageing is the need to stay connected with other people. Active participation and making a meaningful contribution have a greater impact on health then mere attendance. Emotional support, including expressions of affection, love, esteem and respect, is extremely important for successful aging. A positive mental and progressive attitude will help ensure successful ageing. Older people with high mental function are likely to retain psychical function and Psychical active elderly are more likely to maintain sharp mental activity. The Senior Center is created for inclusion of those isolated and lonely Elderly to a relatively healthy, and independent Elderly Community and to make them feel needed, dignified and self worthy.

Concept:

A center of ageing is a center where older adults come together for services and an activity that reflects their experience and skills, respond to their diverse needs and interests, enhance their dignity, support their independence, and encourage involvement with the community. As part of Comprehensive community strategy to meet the needs of older adults, senior center will offers services and activities within the center and link participants with resources offered by other agencies. Center programme will includes variety of individual and group services and activities. The center will also serves as a resource for the entire community for information on ageing, support for family care givers, training professionals, and for development of innovative approaches to addressing ageing issues.

The center will provide our Elderly opportunities to interact with others in the community, and the mental, psychical and emotional stimulation through social activities.

Silver Innings has hired a place for two years for 'Silver Innings Active Ageing Center ' which will be operational from Monday to Friday from 10am to 12 pm & 4pm to 7pm for 10^th Dec 2009.

Present Activity:

Mini Library

Computer Training

Health, Fitness & Wellness programmes

Creative programme

Counseling and Advice

Intergeneration Programmes

Volunteer programmes/opportunities

Networking with like minded organizations

Information and assistance

Referral services

Social & Community programme

Recreation opportunities

Address:

Shop no. 10, Poonam Sagar Complex CHS LTD, Bldg.No. J -47/48,Opp.Sector 9, Behind Allahabad Bank, Mira Road – East , Mumbai. India. Pin: 401107.

Tel: 09987104233

Email: silverinnings@gmail.com

Website: www.silverinnings.com

Geriatric Medicine specilisation needed in India

India is gradually undergoing a demographic change. With decline in fertility and mortality rates accompanied by an improvement in child survival and increased life expectancy, a significant feature of demographic change is the progressive increase in the number of elderly persons.

According to UN by 2050, nearly 20% of India’s population will comprise of people over the age of 60 years. According to UN India will soon surpass 10% aged population which will make India a Ageing nation.

Presently India has 2^nd largest number of Elderly. In 2009 India's population of Elderly i.e. 60 + is estimated at around 8% of total population which is around 90 million.

Health related issues are one of the major challenge for government and civil society for care of the growing population of Elderly.

Government should Include Geriatric care component under the syllabi of medical and nursing courses.

Medical Council of India should start specialization master / bachelor degree for Geriatric / Geriatric medicine.

Geriatric should also be a part of the curriculum for all the students in medical colleges. Medical colleges should be persuaded to introduce such courses for students at all levels.

Throughout the 21st century health professionals will increasingly be required to be familiar with old age care whatever the specialty they choose.

Identifying the areas of research related to geriatric diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, psychiatric, respiratory, cardiovascular, physical disability etc. is very important to get ready for Elder tsunami.

WHO has recommended following basic contents for Undergraduate Medical Teaching in Geriatric Medicine:

1. Understand the biology of ageing and its relationship to the clinical manifestations of diseases in older individuals. Older patients manifest signs and symptoms of disease because they are sick, not because they are old.
2. Demonstrate appropriate knowledge of physiology of ageing to understand concepts such as frailty and loss of functional capacity.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the demography of ageing.
4. Demonstrate sufficient knowledge of pharmacology in order to understand basic principles of prescribing for older people, with special attention to adverse effects and iatrogenic disease. This includes not only knowing what to prescribe but also when drugs should be withdrawn, and the risks of polypharmacy.
5. Recognize the role of psychosocial risk factors, such as living alone, economic hardship and lack of social support, in the causation and experience of disease.
6. Recognize the importance of providing support to family caregivers who, themselves, may be old and in poor health.
7. Recognize prevention and rehabilitation as the main goals of Geriatric Medicine.
8. Understand that the optimisation of health in frail older people or those with disabilities requires multi-dimensional evaluation and multidisciplinary approaches for the attainment of better outcomes.
9. Consider a problem-oriented approach as the most appropriate in the care of older people.
10. Embrace a holistic perspective, understanding that older persons have a rich history behind them and embrace life-course events as the root of many of their current ill-health conditions.
11. Understand that a life course perspective also implies that today's children and younger adults are tomorrow's older people and that their health in older age depends on how they live.
12. Be familiar with the management of the great geriatric syndromes - such as falls, incontinence and cognitive impairment - as well as with conditions highly prevalent such as depression and the subtle presentation of disease in old patients.
13. Demonstrate positive attitudes to ageing, speaking out against negative stereotypes.
14. Recognize the distinct aspects of abuse against older person.
15. Recognize ethical issues including end of life care.

Hope Government of India and Medical Council of India will wake up now to provide dignified health and medical services to the Senior Citizens of India.

Silver Inning Foundation supports all such initiative for the cause of Elderly.