An elderly man holds a bamboo mug while seating by the fireplace in a kitchen somewhere in Nagaland. International Day of Older Persons is celebrated on October 1 every year. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 30
Dial 14567. It is Helpline for senior citizens Nagaland.
It was launched by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE), Government of India, the National Institute of Social Defense (NISD) and the respective state Governments through the department of social welfare with the objective of expeditiously attending to the complaints and grievances of the senior citizens.
Vision
To facilitate happy and healthy ageing by serving the senior citizens of India with honour and compassion.
Mission
To make a positive difference to the lives of senior citizens by creating a reliable National Helpline which acts as a platform for redressing the grievances of the senior citizens of India, by providing necessary information and intervention through a collective of highly committed partners including government agencies, non-profit organizations and volunteers.
Operation
The state helpline consist of a connect centre (call centre) for operational from Monday to Sunday 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM manage by 5 call officers. This helpline also consists of 6 Field Response Officers who will work towards a resolution of problems through field intervention and rescue of the senior citizens in close association with all the partners/stakeholder.
Services
This Helpline is mandated to facilitate for different services are as follows;
• Information: This helpline would provide information related to elder care service providers, old age pension, government schemes and benefits etc, based on caller’s requirements.
• Guidance: The helpline would guide senior citizens on legal & person related issues.
• Emotional support: The helpline team would offer counseling support and if required connect with partners specialized in it.
• Direct field intervention by Field Response Officers along with partner stakeholders).
• Rescue and reunion of homeless elderly. The Helpline team will facilitate rescue of homeless senior citizens and arrange for temporary accommodation in Old Age Homes managed by NGOs or government run facilities- One Stop Centre (Shelter Homes) and facilitate the process towards reuniting the elder persons with their family.
• Abuse- The helpline will assist senior citizens in getting their abuse complaint resolved through maintenance tribunal or with the help of other stakeholders.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the parties involved in the elder Line- Toll Free No 14567?
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, being the nodal ministry of welfare of senior citizens, will be in the supervisor role, will provide funds for the Elder line. Operational work for the elder line will be based at NISD.
The state social welfare department is the nodal agency and the Good Samarian Women Society is the implementing agency for the state of Nagaland.
Who are the major stakeholders for implementation of the helpline?
The following are the list of stakeholders who play a very crucial role in addressing senior citizens requirement through the Helpline.
Police department, health department, State Legal Service Authority, District Administration, Senior Citizens Association Nagaland, Naga Hospital Authority Kohima, Bethel Hospital Kohima, KOHIMAS Hospital Kohima, Kohima Municipal Council, Kohima Smart City, Old Age Homes, All Nagaland Counseling Association, The Cloud Room Kohima, churches and other religious organizations, NGOs working for the welfare of the senior citizens, any concerned citizens including students, working people etc.
Who is senior citizen? Who are the people who can avail of the services being provided by the Helpline?
Anyone in the age group of 60 and above is considered to be a senior citizen. Senior citizens receive a number of benefits from the government. They are also protected by an Act under the Indian Constitution- Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and senior citizens 2007, Besides the provisions under the Act, senior citizens also enjoy certain other benefits and welfare schemes from the government such as travel concessions via Air/Rail/buses, higher bank interest rates, separate queue in banks, reduced telephone charges, banking made simpler, court hearing priority.
I am senior citizen. What kind of services can I receive from Elder Line toll free no 14567?
All queries pertaining to information on old age homes, health related, mental health related and legal issues are being addressed promptly, thereby ensuring quick redressal of grievances as directed by the state government. The call officers will receive your calls and provide necessary information or redirect you to the connect persons who will assist you in resolving your queries or problems.
Does the elder line toll free no. 14567 give any monetary assistance?
No, the elder line toll free no. 14567 is a helpline to assist you with queries pertaining to senior citizen related issues and guide you to the concerned department and/ or the process of availing their various welfare schemes and benefits.
How can I as a concerned citizen contribute to the success of the helpline and to the welfare of the senior citizens in particular?
As a concerned citizen, whether you are a student or an officer goer, or a layperson, you can contribute to the successful implementation of this project in the following ways:
By telling your friend and neighbours about the elders line toll free no. 14567 and help to popularize the helpline so that more people can avail of the services of the helpline.
If you come across any senior citizen who appears to have been abused, homeless or neglected, you can call up the helpline and inform our call officers. They will take note of the situation and inform our field response officers, who in turn will collaborate with our partners such as the police, health department, administration, legal services authority etc. and follow up with appropriate actions in collaboration with other stakeholders.
As a concerned citizen, we all can be kind and considerate to senior citizens in whatever ways we can, keeping in mind that they are in their golden years and they ought to be treated with respect and dignity. We can encourage them to age actively and gracefully by engaging their mental and physical facilities for as long as their health permits thereby ensuring a happy and productive life.
What should I do if I come across a homeless elderly or an elderly person who appears to be lost?
In that case, please call up our toll free line 14567. One of our call officers will speak with you and take any information you may be able to provide. In case of a homeless elderly, our call officers will immediately inform our field response officers, who will, along with the police, assess the situation and if necessary, ensure that the elderly get appropriate medical treatments from our partner hospitals & district hospitals, PHC/CHCs. Upon discharge, they will be connected to old age homes/ shelter homes and/or psycho-theraphy/counselling units. Our field response officers will be closely following up with the concerned parties throughout the process and all efforts will be put into reuniting the elderly with his/her immediate family.
What should I do if I come across an abused or neglected elderly or an elderly person who appears to have been abused or neglected?
If it is a case of physical abuse, the elderly will be examined by a trained healthcare professional to ascertain the extent of abuse and produce report. Similarly, in all other forms of abuse such as financial, mental/psychological, sexual harassment, the matter will be thoroughly investigated by appropriate authorities and legal actions will be taken under relevant Acts within the law, free of cost.
The Elder line is located at CK Arcade building, Opposite Head Post Office, Kohima.
Nagaland has over 2 lakh senior citizens
Mentionably, the Elder Line 14567 was formally launched by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on September 28. He hoped that the Elder Line 14567 will benefit the senior citizens to enable them to get the required information and assistance. He stressed on the need to help and take care for the elderly in the state.
Sarah Ritse, Commissioner & secretary for social welfare said “I hope this Elder Line will reach out to abandoned elderly or those vulnerable elderly going though abuse by providing emotional support and necessary information on various schemas and assistance.” She assured that the department will extend all possible help and work closely for the smooth operation of the helpline.
“With this helpline in place, I hope that celebration of Senior Citizens Day on 1st October will be more meaningful where one can look forward for more opportunities, dreams and new experiences,” she added.
International Day of the Older Persons is celebrated on October 1 every year.
Neithonuo Liegise, programme manager Elderline said the Elder Line is to facilitate happy and healthy ageing by serving the senior citizens of India, compassionately.
Social welfare director Michael Zaren said that the launching of Elder Line will give opportunities to senior citizen to share their grievances and their grievances will be addressed accordingly.
As per 2011 census, Nagaland state has over 2 lakh senior citizens.
Out of this, the beneficiaries of Old pension includes; IGNOAPS (60-79 years) - 51, 750, IGNOAPS ( 80+)- 5, 650, state non- plan- 5970.
Zaren stated that the department has been pursuing with the Ministry of Rural Development for allocation of additional number of beneficiaries to accommodate uncovered eligible beneficiaries, but has not been successful so far.
As per directive from the Ministry, the department is making all necessary arrangement for payment of pensions through DBT through PFMS from this financial year 2021-22. He said that there are 9 existing Old Home Homes in the state.
