Elderline to make positive difference in lives of senior citizens

Our Reporter
Dimapur, Nov. 11 (EMN): Programme Manager of National Helpline for Senior Citizens (NHSC), Neithonuo Liegise on Thursday informed that Elderline, a national helpline for senior citizens, is being set up to make a positive difference in the lives of the elderly by creating a reliable platform for redressing their grievances.

The national helpline will help provide necessary information and timely intervention through a collective of highly committed partners, government agencies, non-profit organisation and volunteers.

Liegise said this during an awareness programme on NHSC ‘Elderline-14567 toll-free’ organised by the Social Welfare department at Tourist Lodge, Dimapur.

Elderline is being set up by the Ministry of Social Justice And Empowerment, National Institute of Social Defence and the state government with the NGO — Good Samaritan Women Society — as implementing agency.

She informed that the state helpline consists of a connect centre operational from Monday to Sunday (8 am to 8 pm) and managed by five call officers. She said that the helpline also consists of six field response officers who will work towards resolution of problems through field intervention and rescue of senior citizens in close association with all the partners and stakeholders.

She further informed that the helpline is mandated to facilitate four major services- to provide information related to elder care service providers, old age pension, government schemes and benefits based on caller’s requirements.

The helpline will guide senior citizens on legal and pension-related issues, and also offer counselling support; if required, connect with partners specialised in it.

She further stated that the helpline team will facilitate recue of homeless senior citizens and arrange temporary accommodation in old age homes managed by NGOs or government-run facilities and facilitate the process towards reuniting them with their families.

She added that the helpline team will assist senior citizens in getting their abuse complaint resolved through maintenance tribunal or with the help of other stakeholders.

Liegise, who is also the managing director of Kohima Old Age Home at Meriema, shared that more than 80 senior citizens have been looked after by the home since its foundation, while 23 are still alive.

She also shared that six senior citizens were at an old age home in Peren district.

Vivoto poru, Field Response Leader of NHSC, also highlighted various roles and responsibilities of the Police and Health department. He shared that they were working in partnership with the police, Health department, legal authority, district administration and NGOs for elder care.