Month: February 2016

Free bus pass for Senior Citizens in TN

Free bus pass for Senior Citizens in TNApart from availing tokens for free bus travel that will be distributed to senior citizens at 42 bus stands and depots across the city, senior citizens can also download forms at www.mtcbus.org.

The applicants should submit proof of age and two passport size photographs with the applications.

The scheme would be implemented from Wednesday. People over sixty can apply for tokens at designated bus stands and depots. Ten tokens will be issued every month to every senior citizen, an official release said. – Special Correspondent

A parent getting discharged from hospital?

A parent getting discharged from hospitalWhen a loved one gets hospitalized, there are Doctors and nurses to look after them while they are under their care. Despite that, the period of hospitalization can be very taxing, both emotionally and physically for the family members.

However, a bigger challenge awaits when the patient gets discharged and moves back home. Many times, especially in the case of elderly patients, there is a long recuperating period. Looking after them at home, without the guidance and support of Doctors, nurses and hospital equipment can be very difficult. Thankfully, you can turn to Old is Gold Store for guidance, training and information on post-discharge home health care.

In the meantime, here are a few things to learn:
1. Keeping important information handy
Emergencies are common. Keep all important information ready at hand. These could include contact details for Ambulance, the consulting physicians and other Doctors, Doctors who make house calls in your area, the pharmacy, the nursing agency, and immediate relatives apart from all the medical records including the latest prescriptions, and insurance papers.

2, Use of essential devices.
There are many devices that are needed to monitor, maintain and manage the condition of the patient. These include devices such as air beds, pulse oximeters, BP monitors, Glucometers, Nebulizers, Phlegm suction apparatus, hospital cots, wheelchairs, walkers and many other devices. Learning to use them effectively will go a long way in ensuring the patient’s successful and speedy recovery.

3, Maintaining hygiene.
Good hygiene is critical to reducing infection. The hygiene of the people looking after the patient as well as that of the patient themselves are both equally important. Remember to wash hands regularly, limit the number of visitors, and ensure that the visitors wash their hands and feet before entering the patient’s room. Also learn how to use and change diapers and underpads, how to thoroughly clean urine and fecal matter and even how to clean wounds and replace dressing, if required.

Post-discharge home health care can be challenging. Being prepared can mean the difference between life and death.

Old is Gold Store can help guide you with information and training. Call 044-42666684 for an appointment.

Accessibility issues for elders

It is indeed surprising, that despite being a culture that supposedly reveres the elderly, we don’t give the needs of the aged and the disabled in India any thought at all.

To truly appreciate how insensitive we are to the needs of the elderly (and the disabled), do this mental exercise.  Imagine yourself to be wheelchair bound.  Actually, let us not go that far yet. Just imagine you are an old person with slightly diminished reflexes and minor balance issues that necessitate you to carry a walking stick for balance. With that firmly in mind, now take a look at the world around you.

Accessibility issues for eldersOne of the few roads in Chennai with a footpath.  Notice how there is construction debris all over the pavement and the two ladies are being forced to walk on the road, risking the prospect of being run over.

We have all experienced the serious challenges involved in walking on Indian roads. Now imagine you are that old person.  Now think of walking on roads which lack pavements and have heavy and unregulated traffic driven by reckless and insensitive drivers. While you are looking both ways and dodging traffic, don’t forget to bend down and avoid all the wires and cables, thoughtlessly strung from poles, trees and buildings. Finally, remember to jump over the pits and trenches left open by various civic bodies.  All this when you are weak and feeble!

The dangers of walking around on Indian streets today prevent countless elders and disabled from leaving the relative safety of their homes.  Many of them forego their usual walks, their trips to places of worship, or even to banks and post offices to collect their pensions because of their fear of being run over or getting seriously injured.

Now take a look at the public transport available in your city.

Accessibility issues for eldersThe picture on the right shows the true story.  Look at how everyone is running to get into the bus.  Notice the slower ones struggling to reach the bus. Imagine now that you are an old person incapable of running!

Buses come swerving in at breakneck speed and stop somewhere in the vicinity of the bus stop, wait but for a few seconds and speed away before everyone has safely boarded.  With steep steps that only the young can jump onto, riding buses in India is meant only for the young and agile.

Trains are no better. Suburban trains, especially, are a challenge even for the young and nimble unless they are used to them.  If you go to Mumbai for example, unless you are a regular traveller, there is very little chance of making it on to any of the suburban trains during peak hours.  And if you do manage to get on, you may not be able to get off till the train reaches its last station! Long distance trains, though not as crowded, present us with other challenges.  Their steps are practically upright ladders that have to be negotiated to get into them.  If one is wheelchair bound, it is impossible to get on to the train at all, leave alone reach one’s seat, given how narrow the doors and passages are.

Accessibility issues for eldersThis picture with the bent over old lady is a picture of the foot over bridge at the Chennai Central Railway station.  The picture says it all.

Next let us look at the insides public places and buildings.  Many banks, post offices and insurance buildings are in old buildings with no elevators.  Most of their offices are on the first or second floor with only stair access.  Even those that are on the ground floor require navigation of a few steps before the counters can be reached. Barring a few malls and upmarket cinemas, most places have either no toilet facilities (for the visiting patrons) or have extremely dirty ones that no one in their right mind will want to step into.  The lack of a token system  and the consequent need of having to stand in a long queues for several minutes to hours compound the problems faced by the elderly in public offices and buildings.

These are just some of the problems faced by our elders in India.  If you spot more such problems please write to [email protected].

Workshop on Incontinence

The management of Old is Gold Store; Prithvi, Jaya and Sanjay felt the need to address the long neglected topic of understanding and managing incontinence (bladder weakness) among the senior citizens of our community. This led to the idea of organizing a workshop on incontinence for the benefit of elders and medical professionals. In January 2016, they organized a free workshop for senior citizens called “Bladder weakness (incontinence) – coping with ageing issues”.

“I believe a lot of elders are embarrassed to talk about incontinence, leave alone actively  try and find a solution. By avoiding and neglecting this issue, the caregivers’ burden grows and their loved one suffers,” Prithvi said.

“We want to help elders understand and cope with incontinence with some of our products designed to provide comfort and relief,” Sanjay said.

This workshop addressed incontinence issues and solutions and was sponsored by M/s. Bella Premier Happy Hygienecare Pvt. Ltd, the makers of Seni Brand of Adult Diapers. The workshop was held on Thursday, Jan. 07 from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Natesan Institute of Co-operative Management (NICM), Anna Nagar.

The key speakers were Dr. Kalaivani Ramalingam MBBS,DGO, MRCOG, CCT(UK), Consultant Urogynaecologist, Chennai Urology Clinic, Apollo Hospitals who spoke about “Incontinence – understanding the change” and Mr. Jerzy Jusiega (Seni, Poland) who spoke about “Incontinence – management: the easy hygienic way”.

Ms.Jayashree – Director, Old is Gold Store, welcoming the guests
Ms.Jayashree – Director, Old is Gold Store, welcoming the guests.

 

Ms.Jayashree, Director, Old is Gold Store welcomed the packed audience and introduced both the speakers. She also outlined the vision behind Old is Gold Store and the need to address issues involved with Geriatric Care.

Dr. Kalaivani Ramalingam , spoke about “Incontinence – understanding the change”
Dr. Kalaivani Ramalingam, spoke about “Incontinence – understanding the change”

Dr.Kalaivani’s presentation highlighted the problems faced by elders, both male and female. The presentation with accompanying slides was explained in layman’s terms in both English and Tamil for the benefit of the audience. The presentation lasted about 30 minutes and was followed by a Q&A session. Dr. Kalaivani Ramalingam answered all the questions put to her by the audience with patience and clarity. This was well received by the audience who were happy to have their questions clarified.

Participants at the workshop
Participants at the workshop

View Dr.Kalaivani’s presentation on YouTube

Mr. Jerzy Jusiega SENI, Poland demonstrates the use of incontinence support products.

Mr. Jerzy Jusiega SENI, Poland demonstrates the use of incontinence support products.

The next presentation was by Mr. Jerzy Jusiega (SENI Adult Diapers, Poland) who spoke about “Incontinence – management: the easy hygienic way”. Mr. Jerzy Jusiega highlighted various incontinence products developed by SENI, Poland. He stressed the need to choose the right diaper and demonstrated how to take measurements. He also gave information on the latest technology used by SENI to manufacture the best incontinence support products.

Andha Naal’ a retro quiz conducted by Dr Anitha Paramasivam

Andha Naal’ a retro quiz conducted by Dr Anitha Paramasivam

There was a 15 minute snack and coffee break followed by the much awaited ‘Andha Naal’ a retro quiz conducted by Dr Anitha Paramasivam. This quiz was open to senior citizens and medical professionals. Dr. Anitha was a charming and a witty hostess and was easily able to carry the audience with her. The participants enjoyed themselves and answered eagerly to all the questions. Those who gave the correct answers were rewarded with a discount voucher from Old is Gold Store.

Mr.Prithviraj – Director, Old is Gold store giving a discount voucher during the retro quiz show

Mr.Prithviraj – Director, Old is Gold store giving a discount voucher during the retro quiz show

Mr. Sanjay Dattatri, Director – Old is Gold Store, giving the vote of thanks.
Mr. Sanjay Dattatri, Director – Old is Gold Store, giving the vote of thanks.

The workshop ended with a vote of thanks by Mr. Sanjay Dattatri, Director – Old is Gold Store.