Senior citizens can call 1298 for legal, financial, medical problems   Mumbai, May 10, 2010: Prominent city NGOs and welfare services have come together to launch a 24- hour helpline, 1298, which starting Monday will help elderly persons tackle their legal, medical and financial problems. The helpline, which already provides assistance to women and ambulance services, will now extend their services to elderly citizens as well. Two counsellors will also be available round the clock on the helpline.   The Mumbai Police Elder helpline and Ambulance Access for All Foundation have teamed up with 10 NGOs working for senior citizens, including Silver Innings Foundation and HelpAge India to provide a referral and a counselling service to the 1.5 million senior citizen in the city. “Often, senior citizens don’t know whom to approach when they have a problem. Now, by dialing 1298 from either their landline number or their cellphone, they can avail of a directory of NGOs who can help them on a variety of issues,” said Shailesh Mishra, founder and president of Silver Innings Foundation.    For instance, if they want to know more about Alzheimer’s disease, the helpline will refer them to the correct NGO. Or if it is a case of physical or mental abuse, they can speak to a counsellor. If they wish, they can be directly transferred to the police elder helpline too, Mishra said. “Our vision is to get all the NGOs working with senior citizens under one roof. They need to know that they are not alone and shouldn’t hesitate to ask for help, even if it’s just advice they’re seeking,” said Member of Parliament, Priya Dutt, a trustee of the Nargis Dutt Memorial Charitable Trust, which is funding the helpline.“We are also creating a directory of resources, so that the elderly don’t have to be dependent on anyone,” said Mishra. Information on yoga centres, dabba services, and mobility aids will be made available within the next three months. At present the helpline will provide information on day-care centres, legal and financial matters and the Right to Information Act.   “The needs of the elderly are different from those of other ages, so a helpline is urgently needed,” said Nasreen Rustomfram, dean, student affairs, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, who teaches a course on gerontology.The helpline 1298 already provides assistance to women and ambulance services. Source: Hindustan Times   Free legal advice for senior citizens   Elders' helpline 1090 offers free legal advice every Thursday from 2 pm to 5 pm. Venue: Office of additional commissioner of police (traffic), 2nd Floor, BMTC bus terminus, Shivajinagar.  Lawyers from Alternative Law Forum will attend to senior citizens. 1090/ 22943226    Free ayurvedic camp    Indian Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine and Research is organizing a free ayurvedic camp for asthma, arthritis, diabetes, piles and rectal disease on its premises on Jayamahal Road till Saturday.  Timing: 9 am to 1 pm. 23530013    Free counselling    Chemical Addiction Rehabilitation Education (Care) offers free and confidential counselling on alcohol and drug abuse.  Venue: 621/732/1A, Cave Temple Road, opposite Meenakshi temple, Bannerghatta Road.  Timing: 10 am to 4 pm. 26580193    Free physiotheraphy camp    Nightingales Medical Trust will organize a free physiotherapy camp to assess fitness levels for people above 60 years on Thursday at Sandhya Kirana, O'Shangassey Road, opposite Sita Bhateja Hospital. Timing: 9.30 am to 1.30 pm. The assessment includes cardiac endurance, musculoskeletal resistance and orthopaedic test. 41248448

Free medicare facilities to poor, senior citizens in J&K    Jammu (PTI): With a view to address the health problems of underprivileged people, the Jammu and Kashmir government today announced provision of free medicare and other facilities to senior citizens and weaker sections of the society. This was stated by state Health, Horticulture and Floriculture Minister Sham Lal Sharma while speaking at a function here. He said instructions have been issued to concerned authorities to ensure that all people living below poverty line having valid (BPL) certificates and senior citizens in the state were provided with free medicare facilities, including laboratory tests and ambulance service, in all the government hospitals.    The minister said he asked the CMOs/BMOs to undertake frequent tour and take stock of functioning of health institutions in rural and other far-flung areas. "Bottlenecks, if any noticed by them, should be either cleared by them during the tour or to be brought to the notice of higher authorities," he said.

Senior citizens neglected by Finance Minister    Most of the older persons in India have no social security, especially people living in rural areas and working in unorganised sector. While 30 per cent of them live without proper meals a day, an estimated 55 per cent of the older population consists of women, with no support whatsoever. India's 90 million senior citizens wants the government to utilise their skills for mutual benefit, range from safety to pension and income security, raising tax exemption limit and subsidy to health benefits.   The Budget 2009 offered peanuts to senior citizens:    The Budget proposes to increase the personal income tax exemption limit of senior citizens by Rs 15,000 from Rs 2.25 lakh to Rs 2.40 lakh. Although the exemption limit has been raised, the net savings would amount only to about Rs 1,500 for senior citizens.    Wish List by senior citizens for Indian Finance Minister:  Total exemption of all taxes for people of 75 years and above.   IT exemption up to 25 per cent in personal income for people between 60 years to 74 years.  Comprehensive medical insurance for all above 60 years of age.  Minimum 25 per cent concession in hospital bills in all trust and government hospitals.  Tax benefits for organisation providing elder care and geriatric service  Tax benefits for children’s looking after elders.  Disability concession to person and family of person suffering from Dementia and Parkinson.  Low budget homes for elderly.   Tax benefit for builders and developers for reserving five per cent of flats to elders/disabled.  Promotion of elder friendly village concept then old age homes.  Ration benefit/subsidy for senior citizens living below the poverty line.  Comprehensive NPS for all.  Uniform pension for all.  Social security for people above 60 years and above to be increased up to Rs 3000/- per month.  Tax benefit and subsidy for organisation manufacturing elder care products.  Tax benefit for R&D in products and services for elderly people.

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