Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India — Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment · PIB Delhi · Read the original release on pib.gov.in
- Capacity development program of Anganwadi workers and frontline workers in providing geriatric care, early identification and referral support to those in need of care with the objective of strengthening community based support system for senior citizens.
The National Institute of Social Defense (NISD), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, in collaboration with the Diu Collector Office Administration in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, will organize a five-day old age care training program in Diu district from tomorrow.
Shri Sudhansh Pant, Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment will inaugurate this training program at the education center in Diu. He will also administer the oath to the participants for the welfare of senior citizens.
NISD Director Shri Gaurav Singh Rajawat will coordinate the inaugural session. Diu Collector Shri Rahul Dev Bura will formally welcome the dignitaries and participants.
Around 50 Anganwadi workers, frontline workers and grassroots level functionaries are expected to participate in the programme, which aims to strengthen community-based support systems for senior citizens and enhance the capacity of personnel engaged in service delivery to all elderly people in need.
The objective of this initiative is to create a pool of trained, sensitized and locally available frontline workers who are capable of providing basic geriatric care, identifying emerging care needs, facilitating access to appropriate government schemes and services, and providing emotional and psychosocial support to senior citizens at the community level.
This training program assumes special significance given the changing needs of the aging population, which includes senior citizens living alone, people requiring assistance in activities of daily living and older persons with limited access to family-based care. The training will adopt a practical, participatory and field-oriented approach, enabling participants to translate the knowledge and skills acquired into effective assistance in their respective communities.
Focus on holistic and dignified old age care
This training will provide participants with an understanding of the physical, psychological, emotional and social dimensions of ageing, as well as equip them with practical competencies for the safe, respectful and compassionate care of older persons.
Key areas include the aging process and the changing needs of senior citizens; Rights, dignity and welfare of older persons; the roles of families, communities and caregivers; Basic geriatric care principles; Assistance with routines and activities of daily living; personal hygiene; Nutrition and hydration; pharmaceutical assistance; mobility aids; secure transfer techniques; Will cover fall prevention and home safety.
The program will also include first aid and how to deal with common emergencies, communication skills, psychosocial support, loneliness and social isolation, emotional well-being, awareness of dementia and basic care approaches.
Special emphasis will be placed on prevention, detection and reporting of neglect, abuse and exploitation of senior citizens, while reinforcing the principles of privacy, dignity, respect and compassionate care.
The participants will also be given information about government schemes, programmes, institutional mechanisms and support services available to senior citizens, thereby facilitating them in getting timely access to relevant benefits and services.
Practical and field-oriented training
The program will include technical sessions, interactive lectures, demonstrations, practical exercises, case studies and field-oriented examples. Group activities, experience sharing and question-answer sessions will provide participants the opportunity to connect the learning from the training to their field experience and develop practical solutions to the diverse needs of older persons.
Practical experience of basic care techniques will be an important component of the programme, with emphasis on translating knowledge into effective community level support.
This training has been suitably designed keeping in mind the specific needs and circumstances of the senior citizens of Diu district, with a focus on strengthening the support systems available at the local level.
Strengthening the capacity of frontline workers
This program will strengthen the capacity of personnel to provide basic, safe and dignified old age care and support to senior citizens; Will help in understanding the physical, psychological, emotional and social needs of senior citizens; Provide assistance to older persons in routine and daily living activities; will help identify early signs of health, mobility, cognitive and psychosocial problems and facilitate appropriate referrals; Promote the prevention of falls, injuries, neglect, abuse and exploitation; Provide appropriate communication and psychosocial support, especially to senior citizens living alone or with limited family support; Facilitate access to government schemes and institutional support mechanisms; and strengthen coordination between senior citizens, district administration and related service providers.
program coordination
Course Coordinator Ms Asha Sharma and Junior Consultant Ms Ritu Dandriyal from the Senior Citizens Department of NISD have been appointed to conduct the programme.
Deputy Director (Training) and Head of Senior Citizens Division in NISD are coordinating the program in consultation with the Collectorate of Diu and other concerned stakeholders for effective educational, administrative and logistical arrangements.
As part of its continuous efforts to strengthen the availability of trained human resources for the care, welfare and protection of senior citizens, NISD has been running capacity building and training programs in geriatric care and related areas.
Expected Result
This program is expected to create a group of about 50 trained and sensitized frontline workers in Diu district and enhance their capacity to provide basic care and support to older persons.
It is also expected to improve early identification of senior citizens in need of additional care or referral, increase awareness of government schemes and support mechanisms, and improve support at the community level for elderly persons who live alone or have limited family support.
The five-day geriatric care training program represents a targeted capacity-building initiative to strengthen local mechanisms of geriatric care in Diu district. By developing a locally available pool of trained and sensitive personnel, this initiative seeks to promote a more responsive, inclusive and supportive environment for senior citizens and contribute to their dignity, safety, independence, social inclusion and quality of life.
The collaboration between NISD in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu Administration through the Diu Collector's Office reflects a coordinated approach towards strengthening old age care and community-based support mechanisms at the grassroots level.
This is the official press release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), and is published without changes.
