A world I want to see as an older person

I have seen older persons being made to take early retirement, either because they are unable to step up to the changing workplace or there are young and qualified young individuals, who the workplaces feel will add fresh perspectives. As also, there is stereotyping older persons as not suitable on account of perceived notions of age-related physical changes, challenges in keeping pace with rapidly evolving technologies, slower processing speed often misconstrued as signs of diminished capability. When I retired at the age of 58 (yes, 58 was the age in my bank) I felt I had a lot more left in me to contribute and learn, but I didn't get much of a choice, after retirement. So, I chose to do the next best thing and that is writing books, podcasting and content writing. Even so, if suitable opportunities had been available for me, I am sure I would have been able to address any limitations and contribute much more to the workplace and the society. 

A world I want to see as an older person - Hira Mehta 

According to me, older persons like me, have the best experience of working with diverse people and in changing work environments. Given a chance older persons can continue to contribute to society and add value. The society can also benefit from utilizing our skills and experience, if not in the corporate world, that suffers from the "age" syndrome, then maybe in other fields, such as education and training. While it is said age is never an issue, I still see it is a stumbling block in most professions and a barrier. The truth is that most older persons, like me, are still mentally and physically fit and prepared to work, but opportunities are few and sometimes difficult to find. There are many like me, who are continuing to seek gainful opportunities and then there are a number of older people who are happily retired and are enjoying their silver years. Then there is also that expectation from the children, emotionally drains older persons, especially when they are expected to look after grandkids after retirement, which can’t be overlooked. There still exists lack adequate job opportunities for those who want to continue to work, not to mention financial support, retirement benefits, inadequate social security and pensions for older persons. Unfortunately, our society is yet to recognize this as a social problem enough to promote age-friendly opportunities, environments and support.  

In every aspect of life there are pros and cons. I have realised that with the advent of social media, there has been a great deal of connectivity, but there is also lack of face-to-face communication, leading to social isolation and disconnection from society for some of my peers. Children are moving away from the homes to make their own nests, so the lack of social security or retirement benefits, the dependency on others for their care and daily needs or their own physical and mental health issues is becoming an issue for older persons. This is resulting in older persons being vulnerable to scams, abuse and with no one to care for their health and daily needs and it has been seen to lead on to issues like depression and loneliness. The family is still one of the biggest support systems for older people in India with around 82% of older people living with their families and yet prevalence of elder abuse in India ranges between 9.6% to 61.7% over different states. Financial inadequacy and issues such as inheritance or property disputes result in elder abuse cases. Most older people do not have access to legal assistance to safeguard their property rights, or protection for abuse related issues. Emotional support and guidance for such cases is also not easily available, either. Authorities, companies, societies still need to recognize and address health needs and safety needs of older persons to ensure that they can age with respect, inclusion, support and without any fear. Governments need to strengthen social welfare programs such as adequate pensions, legal support, health and financial schemes to ensure economic stability and reduced dependency on children. Studies have shown that regular physical and mental activity such as yoga, art of living, meditation is helping older persons. However, in urban India, there is a lack of open spaces, infrastructure, safe spaces, transport inaccessibility and access to such places. Rural India does have open spaces, but here there are other issues more important such as nutrition, awareness and education to manage first. 

As an older person, I want to see a world where workplaces and society offer good health services, social inclusion with opportunities for older persons to allow them to continue contributing their expertise, without being judged by their age. A world that allows me and all older persons, the independence to live on my own terms and with dignity at home and in society.  I see a range of tailor-made social activities and learning opportunities suited to my interests and abilities and being allowed to engage in enriching the lives of the next-gen with my years of experience and expertise. Retirement savings and pension plans, that adequately support the financial needs that ensure that older persons can afford a comfortable lifestyle without worry or stress is so necessary.  As we grow older, in making a good life for our families, we seem to forgot about living life and planning for old age and keep pushing it for later. I see older persons no longer burdened by responsibilities and demanding careers, with that dread of "what do I do now?". I remember, that I did not get the work I wanted after retirement and feeling lost for long. I see myself owning my lifestyle my way. I see some of my peers, perhaps starting businesses from home, enjoying their silver years volunteering or even running marathons. Let me share that I participated in marathons for many years, but today I can't even walk half a kilometre, let alone run, without looking for a place to sit down a while and I am sure if a dog were to run after me, I would get bitten for sure. I have 60+ girl friends who are enjoying 35 kms runs every morning and rightfully boasting about it on their social media pages and all I do is hit that 'like' button and move on. Even so, I see a world, where I have the right to choose what is best for me, without the comparisons and the comfort of getting to do it and looking forward to more without older persons like me, being stereotyped as not capable or suitable on account of age-related perceived notions. Older persons, like me, should feel safe and secure in their homes and neighbourhoods, with good support systems in place to address any concerns or emergencies promptly and with technologies seamlessly integrated empowering them to stay connected to society, family and friends. 

Let me end with this sharing. My father-in-law, a heart patient with loss of sight in one eye and half vision in the other for over ten years of his 99-year-old life, never stopped him from living life on his terms and following his heart. Despite uneven roads, traffic woes, he would walk to the temple ground close to home, meet his friends and return home with goodies for us. His memory never failed him and the stories he told, the songs he sang, the memories he shared embodied his entire being. Neither did it stop him from cooking meals for the family before I reached home, tired from work. I want to see myself living an independent life, just like he did, on my terms with good health, age-friendly environments, infrastructure, transportation, social inclusion and overall well-being support making it easy for me to live well.

By Hira Mehta | Author | Podcaster | Motivational Speaker | Soft Skills Trainer 

"A world I want to see as an older person with rights in my country and community. My thoughts at the Open-ended Working Group OEWG14, UN headquarters, New York, May'24" 

Caregiving and support for older persons

Learning and thoughts on Caregiving and Support for Older Persons at the Open-ended Working Group #OEWG14, UN headquarters, New York, 20th to 22nd May'24. 

Hira Mehta, official Spokesperson of Silver Inning Foundation at 14th OEWG, UN HQ, NYC, May'24 

Hira Mehta attended an in-person CSO Consultation on the implementation of Human Rights Council resolution on care and support during #OEWG14 on Ageing Rights for older persons (9 am-12 pm, 23 May 2024) at the UN Secretariat Building, UNHQ, New York as representative of Silver Inning Foundation. The meeting was chaired by Asako Hattori and moderated by Martyna Balciunaite, UN official. The topic of discussions were (1) what human rights are relevant for older persons as caregivers and receivers of care and support and (2) what are the specific challenges and rights issues faced by older persons facing discrimination in the context of providing or receiving care and support (older women, older persons with disability, older persons belonging to minorities, etc).

At this meeting, Hira spoke about Dementia and Alzheimer’s and grandparenting responsibilities, especially for women.

Most agreed with her thought that, grandparenting should be a choice and not an expected support. In urban India, the extended family living under one roof is not a given anymore and today's nuclear structure, means more expectations from older persons. In our culture, the role of the grandparent is perceived as a role to teach traditions, moral values, religious values and overseeing their well-being and more. Some older persons find themselves moving abroad every six months to look after the grand kids. While some easily adapt to a new place and society, others find it difficult to leave the old ways and find it difficult to adjust. The choice is often not given and that could cause a great deal of issues for older persons in the household.

Speaking about caregiving, Hira suggested that dementia be included in the disability package of health and health services as an essential, for providing comprehensive support, ensuring access to necessary medical and social services and alleviating the financial burden on families affected by dementia. Dementia causes significant cognitive impairment, affecting memory, reasoning, communication, and the ability to perform daily tasks. This aligns with the definition of disability as a condition that substantially limits one or more major life activities. She also mentioned that most of the time families treat it as old age issues and are unable to recognize it as dementia. Some are not willing to accept the fact and therefore early diagnose takes a back seat resulting in delay of treatment. Treating it as a disability will not only improve the quality of life for those with dementia, but also support the family and caregivers to deal with it effectively. Cost of care is high and dementia care will be expensive, with regard to medical treatments, long-term care services and out-of-pocket expenses. As dementia progresses, individuals will experience functional decline and require assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and managing medications. Individuals with dementia require regular attention and medical care to manage symptoms, monitor progression and treat comorbidity conditions. Long-term care is involved and many individuals with dementia will eventually need long-term care services, such as in-home care, adult day programs, assisted living, or nursing home care. Therefore, Hira requested that dementia be part of the disability package of health and health services, so that integrating it into disability packages will ensure that persons with dementia receive the support and care they need.

Irrespective of health and health services, governments and authorities should conduct public awareness campaigns to educate the public about dementia. It would help raise awareness about dementia, reduce stigma, and promote advocacy for better care and support services. Governments and health organizations also should develop policies that explicitly recognize dementia as a disability and outline the entitlements and services available. The society and community also need to support by expanding community-based support groups, adult day care centres and care programs.

UN 14th OEWG May'24 

One of the sharing that hit Hira hard at this meeting, was the sharing of a lady from the Far East. Belonging to the LGBTQ+ community, she talked about the stigma and discrimination, especially if institutionalized in the past or after having overcome mental issues, including anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. Support groups are limited in number and despite increasing visibility and acceptance world over, social stigma and discrimination continue to impact her well-being. She called for attention towards continued efforts needed to ensure comprehensive legal protections, improve access to competent healthcare and combat social stigma and discrimination.

 Assisted living or Elder homes, is an option and respite for family caregivers, who need assistance during times of illness or travel or their own job constraints. Family members may get peace of mind knowing that their loved ones are receiving professional care and support in a safe and nurturing environment. Sadly, sometimes, older persons are not questioned about their preferences. Besides, older persons, may become vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, or neglect by caregivers and sometimes financially exploited too, if family does not pay attention or visit often enough. The 24/7 care by trained staff, helps ensure that older persons with complex medical needs or mobility issues receive the assistance they require. Dependence on caregivers for activities of daily living, the lack of mental stimulation and engagement in institutional settings, however, can accelerate cognitive decline, particularly for individuals with dementia or cognitive impairments. Older persons are at increased risk of experiencing depression, anxiety and other mental health issues with the loss of personal belongings and comfort, independence, social isolation and changes in assisted living environment with the limited privacy and loss of personal space. Financial burdens, particularly in places where long-term care services are expensive or not covered by insurance, often become the reason for home treatments for some families. High costs of care whether at home or assisted living option, can deplete the savings and assets, impacting financial status of the family. While institutionalization may be necessary for some older persons who require intensive care or support, it can have significant implications on mental health and quality of life.

In conclusion, caregiving is an essential aspect of an older person’s life cycle and therefore, it is necessary to continue raising awareness about the realities of caregiving and its cost. Advocating for policies that provide adequate support and resources, whether it is through community programs, government initiatives, or individual acts of kindness is important. There is a need to create a more compassionate and supportive environment, to ensure that both caregivers and care recipients receive the required assistance and resources.

~  Hira Mehta | Author | Podcaster | Motivational Speaker | Soft Skills Trainer

Silver Inning Foundation Oral Statement for UN 14th OEWG on Ageing

Hira Mehta - Spokesperson of Silver Inning Foundation presenting Oral Statement at UN 14th OEWG

 I am Hira Mehta from Silver Inning Foundation, an NGO working with older persons across India. 

In India, 149 million older persons are in 60 plus age group belonging to diverse cultures. More than 65% live in rural area and 90% have no social security. Most of the older persons depend on the family support system. Today, changing values are weakening inter-generational ties that is hallmark of our traditional family institution. 

At age of 58, I was mentally and physically fit, but I had to retire without choice. This left me feeling socially isolated, lost and disturbed for a long time, because I felt I was capable of more. Today, with meager 14$ pension per month, I struggle to live decent life and find it difficult to access and afford right health care.   

Challenges that are significantly influencing older persons’ right to health are unavailability of healthcare facilities and services, lack of awareness, education, early detection and prevention, as also socio-economic factors, such as disparities between urban and rural lifestyle. 

As Older Person I want to ‘Age with Rights’ to maintain healthy well-being with dignity. Therefore, multi-faceted approach with robust healthcare policies, increased investment in healthcare infrastructure, access, affordability and prioritization of preventive healthcare is required. More importantly, expansion of health insurance coverage for all older persons is also needed.  

India, has sizable population of persons with Alzheimer’s disease. Illiteracy and social taboos surround this disease, I must admit that for a long time, even I did not know the difference between age related and dementia related issues. Hence, there is a strong need for awareness campaigns, training, well-defined policy and national dementia plan.  

We align with the statement made by ‘Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People’, a ‘UN Convention for Older Person Rights’ would guarantee older persons’ access to affordable healthcare to help them maintain optimum level of physical, mental and emotional well-being and prevent or delay the onset of illness, to live life with dignity and self-fulfilment. 

Date 20th May'24 

Photo of Civil Society Group at UN 14th OEWG on Ageing

The 14th session of the UN Open-ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWG) was held between 20-24th May 2024 in New York. It is a critical time for civil society to maintain pressure for the adoption of a United Nations' Convention on the rights of older people. 

Silver Inning Foundation Statement for UN 14th OEWG on Ageing

 The 14th session of the UN Open-ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWG) was held between 20-24th May 2024 in New York. It is a critical time for civil society to maintain pressure for the adoption of a United Nations' Convention on the rights of older people. 

On behalf of Silver Inning Foundation Ms. Hira Mehta - official Spokesperson and Ms. Ramaa Subramaniam Co Founder of Silver Inning Foundation participated in this esteem global meet. 

Silver Inning Foundation submitted this following official statement for The 14th session of the UN Open-ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWG) :  https://social.un.org/ageing-working-group/documents/fourteenth%20session/INPUTS%20NGOS/Silver%20Inning%20Foundation.pdf

Date 9th April’24

The Chair, 

Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing on Ageing

14th General Assembly, May’ 24

United Nations

New York

Statement of Silver Inning Foundation for Fourteenth Session of Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWG) on Ageing on “Right to health and access to health services”

Indian society is undergoing rapid transformation under the impact of industrialization, urbanization, technical & technological change, Education and globalization.  

Consequently, the traditional values and institutions are in the Process of erosion and adaptation, resulting in the weakening of Intergenerational ties that were the hallmark of the traditional Family, this has great impact on older persons.

Senior citizens in India is a person who is 60plus and they belong to diverse groups. Consequently, the ageing issues are also different and a lot depends on the family support system the older persons enjoy. The heterogeneity among the older persons population must be factored into framing appropriate models of care for them.³

As per the latest report, there were 149 million persons aged 60 years and above in 2022 (as of 1 July) ² comprising around 10.5% of the country's population. And, by 2050, this population will double to 20.8%, with the absolute number at 347 million.

The right to health is a fundamental right that ensures individuals have access to necessary healthcare services and a state of well-being. In India, the recognition and implementation of the right to health have evolved over time through constitutional provisions, legal frameworks, and judicial interpretations. ¹

Challenges in Realizing the Right to Health: ¹

• Healthcare Infrastructure: Inadequate healthcare infrastructure in rural and remote areas, shortages of healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, and qualified healthcare professionals.

 • Affordability: The high cost of healthcare services, including diagnostics, medications, and treatments.

 • Regional Disparities: There are significant regional disparities in healthcare access, with rural areas and certain states facing greater challenges in terms of availability and quality of healthcare services.

 • Health Awareness and Education: Limited health awareness and inadequate health education among the population hinder preventive healthcare measures and early detection of diseases.

 • Social Determinants of Health: Socio-economic factors, such as poverty, education, sanitation, and access to clean water, significantly influence health outcomes.

 • Gender Disparities: Gender discrimination and biases often result in unequal access to healthcare services for women, particularly in reproductive health.

Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach involving robust healthcare policies, increased investment in healthcare infrastructure, prioritization of preventive healthcare, expansion of health insurance coverage, and targeted interventions to address health disparities and social determinants of health.¹

Government Initiatives and Public Health Programs ¹

The Indian government some notable public health programs to promote the right to health and improve healthcare accessibility across the country:

National Health Mission (NHM): The NHM is one of the flagship programs of the Indian government aimed at improving healthcare services, especially in rural and underserved areas. It encompasses two sub-missions: the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, enhancing human resources for health, promoting maternal and child health, addressing communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY): is a health insurance program launched in 2018. It provides financial protection to over 500 million vulnerable individuals and families by offering cashless coverage for secondary and tertiary healthcare services.

Recommendations¹

•           Strengthening Healthcare Infrastructure: Increase investment in healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural. 

•           Enhancing Primary Healthcare: Strengthening primary healthcare services for comprehensive and preventive care.

•           Addressing Health Disparities: To address regional and socio-economic disparities in healthcare access and affordability.  

•           National Dementia Strategy: Need for national policy with a very clear and well defined action plan since India has a sizeable population of Alzheimer's disease affected people and certain traits like illiteracy and social taboos make the country unique.

•           Universal Health Coverage: Universal health coverage by expanding health insurance schemes to all 60plus

•           Focus on Preventive Healthcare: Prioritizing preventive healthcare measures, health education, vaccination campaigns, and early detection of diseases.

 

Conclusion: The right to health is a fundamental right in India, enshrined in the Constitution and supported by legal frameworks, judicial interpretations, and landmark court judgments. While progress has been made in promoting healthcare access and improving public health, challenges remain in fully realizing the right to health especially for the older persons.

We at Silver Inning Foundation strongly advocate and demand ‘UN Convention for Older Person Rights’ so that older persons can have access to healthcare to help them maintain or regain the optimum level of physical, mental and emotional well-being and to prevent or delay the onset of illness and Live life with dignity and self-fulfillment.

 

Reference:

¹The Right to Health as a Fundamental Right in India: JETIR June 2023, Volume 10, Issue 6 https://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2306301.pdf

 ² UNPFA INDIA AGEING REPORT 2023 https://india.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/20230926_india_ageing_report_2023_web_version_.pdf

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Sailesh Mishra, Founder President, Silver Inning Foundation

Assisted living Home good option for Age care

Assisted living is a way of life that is suited to those who need assistance with the activities of daily living. It is a good option for older adults and specially person with dementia, Alzheimer and Parkinson, who need assistance with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, cooking and meal preparation. They also need 24 hour monitoring of their health because of their age and the fact that they might have physical limitations.

Older adults can live in assisted living facilities if they have the ability to meet their personal needs and there are no concerns about their safety or welfare. If you are considering moving into an assisted living facility it is important to know what aspects of care you will receive there so you feel comfortable with your decision.

Assisted living facilities offer many types of services for its residents. Some offer full-time nursing staff who will help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing and cooking meals for the resident as well as providing companionship during times when they are alone. Other facilities may only offer part-time nurses who will come by every morning or afternoon to help with daily tasks such as preparing meals and cleaning rooms before residents return home at night.

Assisted living homes for older adults are the best option for those who need some help with their daily activities. It is a good option to stay in a home where your needs are taken care of and you have access to facilities that can help you live independently.

Assisted living has many benefits for older adults. They feel safe, secure and comfortable with the help of staff members who are trained professionals. As they get older, these people may have trouble performing certain tasks on their own such as taking a shower or doing laundry. The staff will be there to assist them in performing these tasks which makes them feel at ease.

There are other benefits of assisted living like 24/7 monitoring of health conditions and medication administration which is impossible when you are on your own at home or in nursing homes or hospitals. You will also receive around-the-clock care from trained nurses and caregivers who can help out with personal care, household activities such as shopping, cooking and cleaning among others so that you don't have to worry about anything when you go out or when you're away from home because someone else will be there for you should something happen while you're out.

As we get older, our muscles may weaken, making it more difficult for us to do things like walk up stairs or lift heavy objects. In addition, our bones become more brittle as we age, which can make it harder for us to stay active and healthy. It’s a fact of life that as we age, our ability to perform some of the activities we once did becomes limited and sometimes difficult. This is especially true when it comes to physical activity and exercise.

Silver Innings program 'A1Snehanjali' offers assisted living elder care home near Mumbai, it offers a wide range of holistic services and amenities so residents can live comfortably while still being able to maintain a high quality of life.

Email: silverinnings@gmail.com

Website: http://silverinnings.in/

#Silverinnings #A1Snehanjali #Oldage #ASSISTEDLIVING #Mumbai #Dementia #Eldercarehome #Elderhome 

UMANG 2023 - India’s Largest Stage Talent Show for Senior Citizens

UMANG 2023 is presented by Rotary Club of Mumbai Nariman Point, Rotaract Club and Inner Wheel Club of Mumbai Nariman point in association with Silver Inning Foundation, NGO working with Senior Citizens.

UMANG’ a Unique Talent show of Senior Citizens is being organized by Silver Inning Foundation since 2008.

We at Silver Innings believe “Ageing is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength” – Betty Friedan.

USP about this unique event is that Participant and Audience do not belong to any particular organization, NGO or group. People from different part of Mumbai from Virar, Thane, Navi Mumbai to South Mumbai came to witness and perform the ageless talent.

This year UMANG 2023, is biggest ever Senior Citizens Stage Talent Show, this time total 170 Performers are presenting 21 Performance - breaking all previous years record. Total 1000 people will witness the Silver Magic

Event Date: Saturday 4th March 2023 Event Time: 9am to 12.30pm Venue: Birla Matoshree, New Marine Lines, near Bombay Hospital, Mumbai.

Entry through Invitation only. Registration is mandatory.

Our Networking Partners are: HelpAge India OYA - Open Your Arms Sophia College, Mumbai Nirmala Niketan Senior Citizens Alumni Association, The Federation of Senior Citizen's Organisations of Maharashtra (FESCOM) and Photomist.

Email: silverinnings@gmail com

Website: https://silverinnings.in/

#umang2023 #seniorcitizens #SENIORCITIZEN #Silverinnings #oldage #mumbai #talent #talentshow

Unsung Heroes of Covid Pandemic by Hira Mehta

While we were always talking about how to tackle climate change and pollution and grumbling about no time to spend with family, God just decided he had enough. He decided to step in and here we are. A deadly virus locked down the world and disrupted our lives in such a way that it will probably take us years and years to recover from it.  Economy, livelihood and the very freedom of living life was snatched from us and we lost loved ones in 2020 and 2021. No one was ever prepared for this onslaught. With this came a pandemic of human sufferings.  Thousands of families, including daily wage earners, senior citizens, widows, transgenders, migrant workers, old age homes and orphanages residents, etc, were impacted. But then when we face a situation with helpless times of distress, we not only find ourselves, but humanity comes alive and we actually became truly 'human' with small act of kindness. In this very frightening environment, there emerged #CovidHeroes who stepped out of their comfort zones to help others without worrying about their own safety.  One such Unsung Heroes of Covid Pandemic is Sailesh Mishra of Silver Innings. 

People found new strengths and qualities, they never knew they possessed and the deadliest virus that took lives also gave back our lives to live anew. In a long time people stopped to smell the flowers, as they say. However, in all the good, there is something we seemed to have side stepped. The importance of the impact the virus had on seniors, which cannot be understated. It is at this stage, that most seniors actually required more care and support but sadly, it did not happen. It has affected their psychology, physical strength, behavioral patterns and they have become quite unstable and unsure of themselves.

Impact on Seniors

The COVID-19 pandemic caused untold fear and suffering for seniors across the world. As the virus spread rapidly to developing countries, the death rate for seniors also rose rapidly. Health care was denied for conditions unrelated to COVID-19 as the case rose. Seniors, especially those with medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and cancer became more likely to contract the virus. Neglect and abuse in elder care facilities impacted their well-being and mental health. 

The first wave of #Covid came suddenly and with the hasty lockdown and no proper guidelines, it was all was trial and error. When a national lockdown was declared, the citizens, especially senior citizens who were already suffering with other illness or co-morbidity were asked to stay at home and not step out. Daily walks, exercise routines, access to doctor, health care, medicine, food, recreation, caregivers, housekeeping was suddenly stopped. The pandemic impacted the health of seniors living on their own, that of seniors whose children were settled abroad and even of those living with their families in different ways. Misinformation and negative news added to the panic. To add to this, was the uncertainty and fear that they might not be fit enough to travel or perhaps never be able to travel abroad or within the country, to see their children in the near future. As time passed, restriction in movement, communication problems and social distancing lead to social isolation, not just with seniors, but every member of the family. Children, who were used to their space began to feel suffocated working from home and it impacted their interaction with their parents too. Everyone was head down into mobiles or laptops and even talking to seniors about  their daily routine went missing. With no entertainment or physical interaction, the atmosphere at home was affected and in some cases finances, work pressures and stress in the family became issues.  

The good part was that many organisations started virtual socializing and online events to keep seniors from being completely isolated while in lockdown. Some taught them skills like handling finance, making video calls while some created on-line contests. This helped a great deal in lessening the feeling of isolation and disconnect. However, living in urban India, most of us tend to forget about those seniors living in rural India, who have also been affected by the pandemic and social distancing norms. Workers have migrated back to their home towns and this has led to an increased risk of exposure to the virus among rural communities. There is lack of awareness, low levels of nutrition, ill-equipped and insufficient public health centers too. Worst was the impact on women of all ages trapped at home with abusive husbands and their drinking problems.   

But where there are problems, there are also people who find the solutions.  #CovidHeroes, such as Actor, Sonu Sood helped migrant workers of all ages, to reach homes and even arranged foods and shelters for those stuck in the lockdown. Closer to home is my friend and inspiration, Sailesh Mishra, Founder, Silver Innings, who has been tirelessly helping seniors living alone at home and seniors at his own resident's home, since the first wave of the virus struck. Another friend, Dipesh Tank, a Mumbai-based anti-trafficking activist, distributed reflectors to stick on the backs of migrants to ensure their safety as they walked home on the highways. How can we even forget those unsung #CovidHeroes who went out of the way to help seniors and others, find oxygen cylinders, hospital beds and provided them medicines, provisions, etc? These heroes restored our faith in humanity each day during the darkest hours of the pandemic, despite the several challenges faced.

Challenges faced by seniors 

Sailesh Mishra adds ‘Seniors are socially vulnerable and the lockdown brought with it a whole lot of other problems, such as insomnia, depression and those not directly related to the pandemic. Some of the notable challenges’ :

 Efforts to protect the mental and physical health of seniors as also that of health workers, caregivers, volunteers and community leaders became difficult. Mental health took back seat. 

 Everything was sudden and unsystematic with no proper protocol or guidelines. There was a complete lack of coordination between different authorities from the Police to Municipality to Medical health workers, Health care professionals and so on.

 With no public transport and restriction on movement, the caregivers and care partners could not attend to seniors. No one was available for home care. 

 Caregivers, medical professionals and nurses were unable to attend to the seniors as housing societies refused entry. Societies acted tough and did not allow people to visit, or home deliver grocery, medicine, food etc.

 Seniors who spent evenings on the garden bench with their peers felt disconnected and at a loss.

 Family members with person with Dementia and disability at their home faced  challenging times. 

 Physiological changes that come with ageing and other health conditions spiraled and reports of increase in Elder Abuse began to do the rounds.

 Single  and seniors living on their own suffered most especially as they  faced challenges to use Digital media.

 In rural India, the non-availability of transport, medical aid, food, absence of family members and even loss of employment and ignorance and myths around the pandemic and its transmission, affected the mental health of the seniors in remote parts of the country.

 Misinformation, co morbidity, shortage and accessibility of the vaccination drive took time to get resolved, but by then many had already suffered at the hands of the virus.   

Way Forward Learnings as suggested by Sailesh Mishra Team Silver Innings 

 Social distancing should  not result in social disengagement, in any way

 Create disaster management plans for times like the pandemic, especially for seniors with special focus on food, clothing, shelter, health care, recreation, livelihood, security and rehabilitation with dignity 

 Make old age care as ‘Essential Services’ in the manifesto

 Create a national single point contact center for seniors with a mental care helpline and outbound calls to understand their needs and well-being. 

 Identify, understand and resolve the challenges currently faced by seniors, not just in urban areas but in rural areas of the country too.

 Involve NGO’s, educational institutes, relevant authorities, etc. and create a university course on old age care with special SOP for Dementia and mental health.  

 Involve local communities and societies to take care of seniors in their areas. 

Youth with new technology and seniors with their experience, need to work together to create a better inclusive environment for all. Protecting senior citizens rights will help them to lead dignified, secure lives, as equal members of society will enable them to be treated with respect on an equal basis with younger people. Providing care and comfort to enable them lead a healthy life without worries and anxiety is their right. Ageing cannot be prevented and everyone grows old. We do not need another pandemic to teach us how to deal with the well being of our seniors.  

Humans of Dementia - Jenet

 Jenet is a 37-year-old qualified social worker who has been taking care of Person with Dementia, Alzheimer’s for the past 7 years. In 2012, she was working with children who were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, but she was simultaneously also looking for a job opportunity. This is when in 2014, her journey as a caregiver with A1Snehanjali, assisted living elder care home, a project of Silver Innings, began.

Humans of Dementia - Jenet

In 2006, Jenet’s grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. This was the first time she encountered the condition and understood it. The diagnosis was a changing point in her life because she couldn’t fathom the fact that such a disease exists. However, in the process of taking care of her grandmother and looking after her, she learnt how important it is to be there for a person with Alzheimer’s. She recognized how important it is to tend to their needs and to let them know that there is someone to look after them.

As a professional, Jenet’s job begins at 9 in the morning and ends at 6 in the evening, but as a caregiver, she has a 24-hour job. She believes that there are no time boundaries for a job like this because the residents of A1Snehanjai require emotional care, which isn’t something that can be limited within fixed time periods. Her days are spent planning and managing other workers who work at A1Snehanjali and tracking the activities of the residents ― whether they’ve taken their medicines and meals, and if not, why, what’s their mood for the day, how they are engaging in different activities. She also arranges for doctors, physiotherapists, entertainment programmes and creative activities, helps her staff in grooming and feeding the residents, and always motivates and encourages the residents as well as her staff.

Dementia Friend

She started working as ‘Center Manager’ at A1Snehanjali one of its kind Dementia home in India and her passion, dedication and curiosity to learn was not only noticed but also appreciated by Management and she been promoted as ‘Senior Center Manager’.  Her work not only includes managing A1Snehanjali, but also to work and coordinate with local community and make meaningful impact for development of community including Zilla Parishad Primary Schools, Faith base organization, Municipal Corporation and  Environment. Her work and and human management during 2020 and 2021 Covid Pandemic is her biggest achievement and moment of honour for her organization Silver Innings.

Unsung Corona Warrior

She often came across situations where the family of the resident thought that the memory loss was just an act to gain attention and not a real symptom of something as severe as Alzheimer’s. That is why she believes that there should be more awareness as well as acceptance of the disease. People should know what Alzheimer’s is and if they suspect anyone is showing the symptoms, they should take it seriously and consult a neurologist or psychiatrist. There were also times when her own mood (or the staff mood) seemed like a challenge or hindered the caregiving work. In situations like these, Jenet conducts creative activities like painting and crafting, or different entertainment programmes like movies, listening to songs, dancing and playing games as a means to relieve the stress of her team and also refresh the residents mood.

Multi Role Dementia Warrior

The person suffering from Alzheimer’s are dependent on others; they need love, care, support and attention. Even though there is some stress, the emotional attachment with the residents and their love makes up for all of it. She says that although the residents might not remember her name, they search for her when she is not around, and this, alone, is enough for her to keep working for them.

The day she had taken up this job, her family had been bewildered, “Udhar jaake kya kaam karegi?” (What work will you do there?) However, now, after Jenet has made a lot of people aware about Alzheimer’s and how they need to be taken care of, people are proud of the work she is doing.

Jenet has learn from a wonderful quote from Leo Buscaglia that “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

 

-Vansh Tibrewal

 

Visit Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HumansofDementia

 Instagarm Page: https://www.instagram.com/sihumansofdementia/

 #Silverinnings #HumansofDementia #dementia #Alzheimer #humanity #HumanityFirst #love #family #Instagram #A1Snehanjali #Relationship #Caregiver #Caregiving #Humans

 

'Warrior of Change' Award for Silver Innings by Governor of Maharashtra

Honorable Governor of Maharashtra presented 'Warrior of Change' Award at the Annual Impact Creator Awards 2021 to 35 Inspiring Innovators and Entrepreneurs for their outstanding contributions during COVID-19 pandemic. 

Sailesh Mishra, Founder President of Silver Innings group was given prestigious 'Warrior of Change' Award for their 'TEAM Silver Innings' excellent selfless work during Covid Pandemic 2021 and 2022, at the Annual Impact Creator Awards 2021 by Governor of Maharashtra on 18th Dec 2021 at Rajbhavan, Mumbai. 

Sailesh Mishra of Silver Innings receiving award

The Annual Impact Creator Awards 2021 organized by ‘Billennium Divas’ were presented to 35 innovators and impact creators in various areas during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The pandemic has tested the grit of humanity time and again. Despite the stature and strata, countless Samaritans have gone above and beyond their line of duty to help their peers. Where the front-line workers such as Doctors and Police have shown impeccable courage discharging their duties, start-ups, corporates and individuals have brought in innovation and impact. These real heroes have shone through their impeccable work. Chief Evangelist of Billennium Divas Ms. Shweta Shalini, Chief Innovation Officer, Government of India, Dr. Abhay Jere graced the occasion as Guests of Honour, along with Smt. Minal Kothari, Director and Shri. Bhavesh Kothari, Director – Billennium Divas Pvt. Ltd with the help of Ms. Deepika Singh, Ex-Chief Minister’s Fellow.

Group photo 

The list of Awardees included notable names and stalwarts from industry such as: 

1. BSE Ltd. - Shri. Ashishkumar Chauhan

2. MPower Foundation - Smt. Neerja Birla

3. Nykaa - Smt. Falguni Nayar

4. Smt. Radhika Gupta of Edelweiss Mutual Fund

5. LXME represented by Smt. Priti Rathi Gupta

6. Capt. Raghu Raman of Remani Consultancy

7. Smt. Amisha Vora of Prabhudas Lilladher Pvt. Ltd.

8. Shri. Anas Rahman Junaid of Hurun India

9. Dr. Akshay Batra of Dr. Batras

10. Dr. Radhakrishnan Pillai of Chanakya International Institute of Leadership Studies.

11. Kaya Clinic represented by Shri. Rajiv Nair

12. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) represented by Mr. Sudhir Mutalik

13. Enrich Salon represented by Ms. Binoli Patel

 

Book Launch

The presence of the aforementioned mavericks was complemented by outstanding start-ups and entrepreneurs for their innovative solutions that have impacted millions during the pandemic encompassing areas such as Healthtech, Fintech, Agritech, Social impact, foodtech and logistics, corporate governance and evangelists that have helped the state through technological interventions.

These include eminent names such as

1. Flipspaces - Shri. Kunal Sharma

2. Fasal - Shri. Shailendra Tiwari

3. Shri. Ranveer Allahbadia - The RanveerShow,

4. MahaKavach - Shri. Amit Kothawade and team

5. BMC COVID 19 War Room - Shri. Shubham Pareek and Shri. Janak Shah

6. United Way India - Smt. Jayanti Shukla.

7. Portea – Smt. Meena Ganesh

8. QR 678 - Dr. Debraj Shome and Dr. Rinky Kapoor

9. FIGGITAL.COM - Shri. Kamaljeet Singh Bhatia

10. Superpro AI - Shri. Gaurav Tripathi

11. Exampil - Shri. Dharmesh Ruparel

12. Shri. Sailesh Mishra - Silver Innings Group

13. CreditAI - Shri. Sangram Nayaka

14. Lean Meal Co - Smt. Mohak Bhingarkar and Shri. Jay Krishnanunny

15. Cloudphysician - Shri. Dhruv Joshi

16. Swasth Alliance- Shri. Ajay Nair

17. BodyCafé - Smt. Tanushree Ishani and Smt. Pooja Karegoudar

18. ASIMOV Robotics – Shri. Jayakrishnan T

19. Autovoltz Robotics – Shri. Yash Deshmukh

20. Kavitul Technologies - Shri. Yogesh Patel

21. Dr. Balsing Rajput

22. Flextool Equipments – Shri. Purvang Shah were among those felicitated on this occasion.

The event was ably supported by partners such as QR678, FLIPSPACES, Good Earth Engineering Industries, Figgital.com, SOS Nitelife, Lean Meal Co, Hunk Golden and BodyCafe. Our Special Thanks and Gratitude to the entire staff at Raj Bhavan for their hospitality and their whole hearted support in making this event a memorable one.

Link to the scintillating moments of the “Annual Impact Creator Awards 2021” (#ICA2021) - https://youtu.be/jytwBkC7wPA

#silverinnings #covid19 #covid #coronawarriors #india #mumbai #saileshmishra #governor #corona #pandemic #WarriorofChange #award #AnnualImpactCreatorAwards #2021 #pandemic #Socialimpact #Maharashtra #Changemakers #Changemaker 

Silver Innings 4 Mission for Corona Pandemic

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others - Mahatma Gandhi

We all live life as we want, but then we face a situation when we are helpless, in time of distress we not only find our self struggling but also others around us crying for help, our heart bleeds at these times of pandemic / disaster. Here Humanity comes Alive and we at Silver Innings try to being Human with small act of Kindness - Sailesh Mishra, Founder Silver Innings. 

Situations seem to happen to people, but in reality, they unfold from deeper karmic causes. The universe unfolds to itself, bringing to bear any cause that needs to be included. Don’t take this process personally. The working out of cause and effect is eternal. You are part of this rising and falling that never ends, and only by riding the wave can you ensure that the waves don’t drown you. ~Deepak Chopra.

Last year 2020 during pandemic lockdown, we at Silver Innings started 'Mission Feed Hungry - Mira Bhayandar' in association with like mined people and formed informal 'WE GROUP'. Through this group we distributed One month Dry Ration (Grocery) to around 20,000 thousand Families including daily wage earners, Senior Citizens, Transgender, Migrant workers, Old age homes, Tribal’s, Animals welfare, Orphanage, Widows   etc. at Mira Bhayandar, Vasai, Virar, Nalasopara, Wadala, Malvani, Dharavi, Dongri, Palghar and Ulhasnagar.

We did not stop here, but we  continued our pandemic work with other types of help : 

Helped 3500 Migrant workers with water bottles, food packets, biscuits 

Helped 800 Transgender with Ration and Medicines  

Helped Nepal origin 50 families with Ration 

We distributed with more then 500 Sensitization Kit and Food packet to Police at Mira Bhayandar and Nalasopara

We distributed with more then 300 Sensitization Kit to Vasai Virar Municipal Corpoartion Sanitation staff 

We ran crowd funding for Rs. 4.5 lakh Scholarship for Girl Child of Single mother,a needy student for her MS in Audiology

During School closer, we distributed 97 Diwali Goody Bags with Creative, Art and Craft materials to Zilla Parisad School at Nalasopara west, to help children stay at home  

We donated 2 Computers to ZP School  at Nalasopara / Virar west 

We donated  3289 Pads to Padsquad for underprivileged women and girls

We united children with Family

Provided medicine, home food to Seniors 

AND WE Thought, things are better and life is better now...... 

आंखों, में नींद बहुत है पर सोना नहीं है, यही समय है कुछ करने का इसे खोना नहीं है।

Once again this year 2021 we are going through Sufferings of 2nd wave of Corona Pandemic, Lockdown and infact this 2nd wave  has hit us hard. And our Silver Innings Team is in Action for love of Humanity.  As per need of this time we have launched 4 Programs. 

1) #MissionFoodDonation 

We stared with providing Free Home Made Nutrition Cooked Food to people in Quarantine in their home, in association with Food partner  Aanyo's and Delivery Partner Making The Difference - NGO 

2000 Meals provided in Mira Bhayanadar

1500 Tiffin will be provided from 18th / 19th May at South Mumbai / Mumbai with support of Purvish Shah and Trustee SAPNA SHAH 

2) #MissionFeedIndia 

We are providing Free Dry Ration to Underprivileged and Vulnerable in association with 'Market Place' .

Already distributed to 200 Families including Widow, TRANSGENDER Senior Citizens, Disable, Blind, Daily Wage earners  MIRA BHAYANDAR, DONGRI, MUMBAI CENTRAL, NALASOPARA VIRAR 

3) #Mission5000

Happy and Honoured to Join Humanitarian Effort with MISSION JOSH – MANSI DHANAK , Raising 5Cr to provide free Oxygen Concentrates in the most affected parts of India.

While every single day we are losing lives around us, we have to stand together behind everyone that is working hard to fight this pandemic. Your contribution will enable us to help 5000 people in India that includes Cancer patients, Delhi Police team, People living alone who are hit by Covid, Senior citizens and anyone who is in need of oxygen with our Partner NGOs : Silver Innings Foundation, Ladli Foundation Trust, Sanjeevani - Life Beyond Cancer Foundation.  Please help us amplify this by sharing in your network through WhatsApp or Social media.  With the second wave hitting India and hospitals running out of oxygen beds, covid patients are in dire need of oxygen. To impact lives of people who are affected, here is #Mission5000  Along with @tulsikumar15 we aim to save the lives of people by providing them free oxygen concentrators at their home.Donate here: https://www.ketto.org/fundraiser/mission500

4)  #MissionSeniorCitizen 

Help for Senior Citizens at Home with Food, Ration, Vaccination and Counseling etc 

Advocacy for Elder Right at OEWG UN 11th Session, our Silver Innings spoke about Need for Covid and Older Persons and People with Dementia  https://social.un.org/ageing-working-group/documents/eleventh/NGO%20STATEMENTS%201%20APRIL%207TH%20MEETING/Silver%20Inning%20Foundation%20(E).pdf?fbclid=IwAR29q-Oerj1wkQuHIW1N-NXPC6hdYcgL6L1_81y1X4n88FJTyo-vdjFgEsM

We created awareness Tips for Senior Citizens for Taking Covid Vaccine  http://silverinnings.blogspot.com/2021/03/tips-for-senior-citizens-for-taking.html

We supported Online Program of Talent Show and Quiz with Tata Trust and Siitaare - The Shining Talents

We are also Reprinting our Dementia Self Help Book - 'Remember Me - You Me and Dementia', with better structure of content for easy redoing an d understanding during this pandemic to stay at home and be empowered about dementia care. 

Silver Innings Community Care : 4 Steps  : Mask, Wash hand, Safe distance, Get vaccinated 

If you wish to help us, you may contributed, send us email: silverinnings@gmail.com 

You can send us your contribution through bank transfer or Google Pay (Only Indian Rupees) - NO 80G:

Account Name: Silver innings for Humanity Foundation

Bank : Canara Bank

Account Type: Saving A/C

Account No: 2645101027082

Branch: Mira Road 

IFSC: CNRB0002645

You can also pay - *GPay - 9819819145*

Please Send us screen shot of your contribution. *Please note we do not have 80G

बड़े दौर गुजरे हैं जिंदगी के, यह दौर भी गुजर जायेगा, हाथ थाम लो किसी जरूरतमंद के,  कोरोना भी थम जाएगा॥

This Time too will pass, Be a helping hand to someone in need, Together we will defeat Corona !

We Thanks all our Friends, Donors, Well wishers, Family, Partners, Police, Civil Defense, NDRF, Municipal Corporation of Mumbai, Mira Bhayandar and Vasai Virar for their their support in Kind and Material.  

#missionfooddonation #feedtheneedy #Mission5000 #MissionSeniorCitizens #humanityoveranything #CoronaWarriors #India #Mumbai #Food #Poor #health #Corona #Covid #SilverInnings #Aanyos #MarketPlace #Ration #SeniorCitizens #Pandemic #Vaccination #MiraBhayandar 

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2020 Report

This year due to Corona Lockdown, WEAAD could not happen on ground, but we tried Innovative ONLINE Global event.

It was one of most successful event, hundreds of people of different age group, across globe from different country - India, Nepal, Africa, Australia, USA, South America, Europe participated with enthusiasm in this unique Online event, Posing with Purple Dot, creating awareness and raising voice against Elder Abuse. They posted Photo's with Purple Dot on all Social Media Platform including - Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, ,Linkedin.

On occasion of 'World Elder Abuse Awareness Day' on 15th June 2020, INPEA in association with GAROP and Silver Innings seeks Support of all age group and gender to create awareness about elder abuse and it's prevention.

How did this happen ?  Our INPEA active member Sailesh Mishra from India who is social media expert came with idea to involve all age and gender people across globe with mass reach out, the whole program revolved around Two Hastag #StandWithOlderPersons AND #PurpleDotChallenge. Susan Somers - Inpea President and Ellen Graham- Secretariat Coordinator of Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People, approved the idea with deliberation. 

A hashtag, is sign #, is a type of metadata tag used on social networks such as Twitter and Instagram and other microblogging services. It lets users apply dynamic, user-generated tagging that helps other users easily find messages with a specific theme or content.

Some of photo's and images have been captured by Google search:

https://www.google.com/search?q=%23PurpleDotChallenge&safe=active&rlz=1C1CHBD_enIN874IN874&sxsrf=ALeKk00S8WnfZ0p5gJmVHe9Tgx8Fv5rdWQ:1603339916100&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjP0JzRqsfsAhVDzjgGHY1_BeUQ_AUoA3oECAQQBQ&biw=1366&bih=625

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Please find below content and image that was used for successful Program: 

  

We #StandWithOlderPersons and accept #PurpleDotChallenge to raise Awareness and Prevention of Elder Abuse.

On occasion of 'World Elder Abuse Awareness Day' on 15th June 2020, INPEA in association with GAROP and Silver Innings seeks Support of all age group and gender to create awareness about elder abuse and it's prevention.

INPEA wants social media users to post a picture of a #PurpleDot on their palm or any other place or paper and express their thoughts about Elder Abuse, Awareness, Stigma and Prevention.

INPEA has created a separate hash tag #StandWithOlderPersons to take a strong stand on Elders issues. Accept the Purple Dot Challenge and post it on your social media handles with hash tag #StandWithOlderPersons and #PurpleDotChallange

So friends let’s #StandWithOlderPersons and send your Purple dot challenge pictures with your thoughts on our / post social media accounts like Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter.

This Challenge is open from 1st June to 30th June. 

We will also post your support on our all social media accounts.

You can also forward us your pictures through E-mail at silverinnings@gmail.com or WhatsApp on 91+ 9987104.....

Creative Support by Web Solutions India.

Thanks to all for your support