On the occasion of World Elders Day 2017, the V.S. Natarajan Geriatric Foundation has organised Elders Fest and Expo 2017 on September 30 and October 1.
With nearly 20 healthcare service providers putting up stalls, the fest also had panel discussions on old age and healthcare, and wellness for elderly women. “The aim of the expo is to create awareness among the elderly about the healthcare services available for them, as well as about ways how to keep themselves active. This year, there is a dementia screening, a fall risk analysis, eye and dental check-ups and a hypoglycaemia risk analysis being done here for the senior citizens visiting the expo,” said D. Hari Shankar, a trustee of the foundation.
The foundation, started in February, aims at making healthcare more accessible for senior citizens at community level. A geriatric house call resource directory was released and made available as part of the fest.
“There is no focussed ecosystem for senior citizens and most of them have been speaking to us about how there is no infrastructure in place for group activities,. As a part of the expo, we are also making the elderly aware of specific equipment available such as walkers with fall alarms which can be used,” said Rajasekaran Manimaran, co-founder of the foundation. He further said efforts were being taken to rope in student NSS volunteers to work with senior citizens’ organisations at the community level.