Kohima Village Doctors’ Association members perform medical check-up for the elderly citizens during 18th Foundation Day of Friends of 80-plus in Kohima village on April 30. (Morung Photo)
Friends of 80plus Kohima village celebrates 18th Foundation Day 2023
Our Correspondent
Kohima | April 30
Friends of 80plus Kohima village today observed 18th Foundation Day 2023 at Tsiera Mechüki, L Khel, Kohima Village.
Presently, 182 citizens in the age group of 80 years and above are registered with Friends of 80 Plus, an organisation formed by a network and fellowship of like-minded people with the aims of reviving and upholding the Naga traditional practice of placing highest value and respect to elders.
Since its inception, organisation have been commemorating April 30 as its foundation day to honour the 80-plus citizens.
During the foundation day on Sunday, the Kohima Village Council Chairman Helievio Solo released the magazine of Friends of 80plus while Nagaland’s School Education & SCERT Advisor Dr Kekhrielhoulie Yhome offered First-Aid Kits to all 80-plus citizens.
Major General Vikas Lakhera, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (North) also graced the occasion.
The Kohima Village Doctors’ Association assisted medical check-up for the elderly citizens.
Dial Elder Line for care, support
Meanwhile, Good Samaritan Women Society (GSWS) chairperson Neithonuo Liegise highlighted the salient feature of Elder Line Nagaland and urged the senior citizens to dial 14567 to access various information regarding care, support, welfare packages etc.
The helpline (National Helpline for Senior Citizens) provides information related to elder care service providers, old age pension, Government schemes and benefits, etc., based on caller's requirements.
It further guides senior citizens on legal and pension related issues and offers counseling support while helpline team also facilitates Direct Field Intervention (by Field Response Officers along with Partner Stakeholders; assists in rescue of homeless senior citizens and arrange them temporary accommodation in Old Age Homes managed by NGOS or government run facilities.
It also facilitates the process towards reuniting the elder persons with their family and assists senior citizens in getting their abuse complaint resolved through the Maintenance Tribunal or with the help of other stakeholders, Liegise added.
The Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, the National Institute of Social Defence and the respective state government through the department of social welfare launched toll free Elder Line with the objective of expeditiously attending to the complaints and grievances of the senior citizens. GSWS is the implementing agency of Elder line for Nagaland.
‘Quality of life in advancing age’
Meanwhile, Dr Vizolie Z Suokhrie of Friends of 80plus stated that ageing is a natural phenomenon with opportunities and challenges, adding: “A healthy life with physical activity, good balance diet, positive attitude, a sound mental and spiritual wellbeing promotes quality of life in advancing age.”
Accordingly, he called for providing the best possible support to the elderly so as to enhance quality of life among the older age group as they are valuable resource to any society.
He further highlighted that in other parts of the world, governments have develop centres like geriatric clinic, geriatric hospital, geriatric home/old age home considering the vulnerability of certain diseases among the elderly people, but many such facilities are missing in Nagaland.
In order to fill the gap, Friends of 80plus has been organising the social gathering-cum-health checkup for 80-plus citizens of Kohima Village annually on April 30 since 2006, Dr Suokhrie stated in the latest magazine the organisation.
Sharing his observations since then, he stated that majority of them are healthy and having an active life and contributing richly to the family and society with the experience over the year they learnt.
Some of the most common diseases among them are: joint pain (arthritis), backache, eyesight problem due to cataract, hearing problem, decaying of teeth, dementia, high blood pressure, heart problem and diabetes.
“Most of these health problems can be helped with proper guidance and education and we are happy to support them. We do not come across any life-threatening diseases in them,” Dr Suokhrie maintained.
Bringing together this age group is interesting and challenging, but with the support of family members, the attendance is growing every year and it is heartening to see that after so many years the elderly citizens could meet their childhood peers (Peli) and reminisced about their past days, he stated.
“Till date, elderly people in our village are taken care of by the children or grandchildren unlike many other places which may be the reason why, they are happy, healthy and active with satisfaction without mental illnesses which can be considered as the 'Best Practice,” maintained Dr Suokhrie.
“We hope that this trend continues and the younger generation learn more about the importance of caring the elderly parents and continue to love and respect them even more in the days to come,” he added.
