Uplifting the Quality of the Lives of Elderly People Program
CEDAR (Concern for Environmental Development And Research) has been started a program from July, 2018 in Bushnandi Union of Araihazar Upazilla under Narayanganj district for elder community with the financial and technical assistance of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF). The title of the program is ‘Uplifting the Quality of the Lives of Elderly People Program’.
The following activities are being implemented under the program.
COMMITTEE FORMATION, TRAINING AND MONTHLY MEETING
A survey has been conducted in Bishnandi union to assess the existing socio-economic and demographic status of the targeted elderly people. A total of 1,646 elderly people have been selected from Bishnandi Union. 1 Union committee, 18 village committees and 9 ward committees have already been formed. The elderly people have been provided with leadership and communication training to increase their negotiation skills. The program operations are entirely managed by the local elderly people in collaboration with CEDAR.
ELDERLY SOCIAL CENTRE
The program has a provision for establishing an Elderly Social Centre in Bishnandi Union to create a common platform for the elderly people. These multi-purpose Centres are used for recreational activities. In the centre the elderly have the access of playing different indoor games, watching television and reading news papers. Local people will donate the land for constructing the Social Centres that serve as a means of social cohesion and empowerment of the elderly.
OLD AGE ALLOWANCE
To help the elderly by defraying the expenses for different needs, Old Age Allowances are given to the poor elderly people. With this allowance, the elder people able to buy necessary medicines and avail treatment for their diseases due to old-age. This allowance gives them mental strength by ensuring the financial security of the elderly people.
SPECIAL ASSISTANCE
A part from providing financial benefits to the elderly people, this program also provides different life-support equipments to the elderly. Those equipments make the lives of the elderly very easy.
ASSISTANCE TO COVER FUNERAL EXPENDITURE
With the financial assistance of PKSF, CEDAR is undertaking all possible efforts to address the life-cycle needs of the elderly. Sometimes, when people are unable to bear the funeral costs of the deceased, then CEDAR ensures proper funeral of every deceased by bearing the cost in the commanding areas under this program.
AWARDING ELDERLY PEOPLE
Recognition of contribution of the elderly people towards the society is a key component of the Elderly program. With a view to encourage others people in doing same, special awards given to children for their support to the elderly parents.
IGA TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT
This program has also a provision of creating employment opportunities by involving them in income generating activities (IGAs) through microcredit. With the knowledge of training, active elderly people will start small business. It is noteworthy that they also get required credit from CEDAR as a startup capital for their enterprises.
PHYSIOTHERAPY AND GERIATRIC CARE TRAINING
Under this program CEDAR will start physiotherapy and geriatric care training with proper guide & assistance of PKSF, Besides, a physiotherapist will ensure the physiotherapy services to the elderly for two days in a month.
HEALTH AND CARE FACILITIES
The elderly people usually suffer from many complications due to old aged diseases. But, in view of the problems they could have fewer services from physicians along with medicine. The cost of health care services is also increasing gradually, which is unaffordable for majority of the elderly people. Considering the burning issues, this program has kept a provision of providing health care services and takes the facilities at the door-step of elderly people. A doctor will treat for two days in a month and provides healthcare services to the ailing elderly people.
SUPPORTS FOR HELPLESS & SHELTERLESS ELDER
Under the program, there is a provision to rehabilitate a vulnerable elderly in the Bishnondi Union by providing BDT 4,000 in every month for subsistence.
ELDELRY FAIR
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