A Course on Gerontology

The course on Gerontology: A Multidisciplinary Perspective, which I was taking under the Diploma in Gerontology Programme at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, got over last week. Like the course, the students group was also a multidisciplinary group; there were doctor, social worker, journalist, demographer, scientist, legal experts, financial experts, entrepreneurs and people with background in management and office administration in the group. Their experiences and curiosity to learn new things related to gerontology made the sessions an interesting and amazing experience for me and I am sure for them as well.

Apart from the interesting discussions and their enthusiasm to learn new things about gerontology, one thing which I really liked in the group was the strong bonding among them. Though they belonged to different age groups and different places but they bonded very well with each other and were ready to help each other in class assignments without any selfish motive.

I wish all of them good luck for their endeavours in this field and hope that they all will work towards promotion of healthy and productive ageing in our society.

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Promotion of Productive Ageing

We must work towards promotion of healthy and productive ageing in our society by acknowledging and appreciating the contribution of our elders in the welfare of society, family and their own selves. As Dr. Robert Butler mentioned " Productive Ageing is not only paid productivity, but unpaid, voluntary activity for one's family, for the community and even for one's self", so we must acknowledge the paid and unpaid efforts of our seniors in  the development of our society.

One such unpaid effort which we often ignore or rather take it for granted is their role as a grandparent in the upbringing of their grandchildren. In many families, especially in big cities where both parents are working and cannot afford to take care of their children alone, grandparents play a major role in their upbringing and socialization.

Lets recognize and acknowledge all such efforts by our seniors and help them in leading a dignified life.

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An event for raising voice against Elder Abuse

Dear Friends,

Requesting all those of you who are staying in Pune or nearby areas to participate in the Mini Walkathon organized by the International Longevity Centre-India (ILC-I), Pune, on 15th June, 2014. This day is marked world-wide as the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD).

ILC-I is organizing this event for raising voice against elder abuse. In this event senior citizens, children, NGO representatives, youngsters and concerned members of society would walk from a designated point at Raja Mantri Udyan, Mehendale Garage Chowk, Pune to the ILS Law College Auditorium via Nal Stop, sporting T-shirts and caps carrying the message to “Stop Elder Abuse”.

This walkathon will start at 8.30 am on the 15th of June from Raja Mantri Udyan, Mehendale Garage Chowk via Nal Stop, Pune and proceed to the ILS Law College Auditorium.

Please contact  ILC-I office in case if you wish to participate in this event. Their contact details are as follows: International Longevity Centre-India, C/o CASP BHAVAN,Plot No. 132/2, Pashan Baner Link Road, Pashan, Pune- 411021 
Phone: 00912065002595
Website:- ilcindia.org

Elder Abuse is one of the biggest obstacle towards promotion of healthy and productive ageing. It is not only harming the person who is being abused but is also damaging our values and inter-generational relationship. Lets join our hands together to fight against it.

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A touching short film on elderly couple

Sharing a touching short film "Zaaika" by EmotionalFulls (http://youtu.be/K2fQP9mEocE), which highlights that love, care and concern in family, especially among spouse are one of the important determinants of healthy living in a person's life.

I am sure you will enjoy watching it!

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A session on Active Ageing

Got an opportunity to take an interactive session on active ageing with 50+ members of Lions Club North Mumbai.  Really enjoyed interacting with the enthusiastic group. I found that many of them are an example of active ageing, who are leading an active life and are contributing towards the welfare of society.

Main purpose behind conducting this session was to create awareness on active ageing and also to help the participants to assess themselves in terms of leading an active life.

Sharing some snapshots of the session.

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Please Vote!

Life Circle Senior Services, India has been put for vote in Grand Challenge Canada for providing innovative and need based healthcare services to Elderly.

For details please go through this link (https://applications.grandchallenges.ca/en/viewVideo/28735E6AA2EC3CB62DDD1A4A) and vote for this service. Its a great initiative towards promotion of healthcare of elderly in India.

A glimpse of Inter-generational bonding

During my recent visit to Hyderabad got an opportunity to attend a birthday party of a young guy at an elder’s home and along with it enjoy the celebration of strong inter-generational bonding.  Appreciate such steps from the younger generation which brings happiness in the life of residents of elder's home and motivate them to lead a healthy life. 

Sharing some pictures of such moments. I am sure you will love it! 

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One more example of Active Ageing

Came across an interesting video (http://youtu.be/hjHnWz3EyHs), where an 80 year old lady, Paddy is found to be dancing with full vigor and enthusiasm.

This video is from entertainment industry where often youths are given much preference as compared to older people because often youth is associated with active life and vigor. This beautiful and talented lady has negated such stereotypes through her wonderful performance. She is one of the best example of active ageing.

One noticeable thing in this video is the strong bonding between Paddy and her young dancing partner Nico. To me this is one of the best example of inter-generational bonding as well. This shows that art and dance can bring people from two different generation together to  perform something amazing through a good bonding.

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86+ year old gymnast

For those who believe that senior citizens are frail and not very physically active, I am sure this video (http://youtu.be/CTWo9EfQ4Hc) is going to change their perception.

This video shows an 86+ year old gymnast Johanna Quaas, demonstrating her gymnastic skills as energetically as an younger person. She is a German citizens and was announced as world's oldest gymnast in 2012.

I strongly believe that such real life cases always play an important role in negating the myths about old age existing in our society and also emphasizing the role of active lifestyle towards leading a healthy and productive life.

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A meet for Social Good

Attended  India + Social Good event in Mumbai yesterday. It was a great experience as it gave me an opportunity to listen to the experiences of various change-makers who are really doing great innovative work for social good in our society. It also gave me a platform to interact with like minded people working on various social issues.

Though, the topics covered in various sessions such as social media,health and innovation, development of cities, climate and energy and other developmental issues were generic, however they were relevant in the case of senior citizens too. I would request the organizing committee especially the UN Foundation to include specific issues related to senior citizens too in future.

With the population of senior citizens reaching around 104 million in India, promotion of their health and well-being has become an important issue for most of us. So, in future if such event are held I would appreciate if issues related to senior citizen's health, economic security, second career, human rights are also covered for the promotion of healthy and productive ageing in India.

I wish such initiative must go on, so that people like me can get an opportunity to meet like minded people around the world both in person and through Social Media.

Would like to request all those reading this post to please give your vote on various social concerns which matters to you on : http://www.myworld2015.org/. I have already given my vote! This is a great initiative by United Nations towards making the world a better place to live.

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