Connect centre toassist, counsel senior citizens launched

The Tata Trusts and Telangana government Thursday announced establishment of a 'connect centre'--the Elder Spring Response System--to guide, assist and counsel senior citizens of the city. The 'connect centre' accessible through a toll-free number 14567, was operationalised (as a pilot ) since April 2019 by the Tata Trusts, through Vijayavahini Charitable Foundation (VCF), in partnership with the Department of Senior Citizens, Telangana government.

The centre provides information, guidance, and emotional support, besides information on healthcare facilities, day care centres, old age homesto senior citizens in the city. As many as 1060 senior citizens have received services of this platform.

After a call has been registered on the Response Systems toll-free number - 14567, based on the needs, solutions are offered along with follow up calls, to ensure that the caller has received the due service. Speaking at the launch event, Principal Secretary (Department for Women, Children, Disabled and Senior Citizens) M Jagadeeshwar said as per the 2011 database, there were around 32 lakh senior citizens out of the over 3.5 crore population in Telangana.

"Now it is around 9.2 per cent of the population and this figure may go up to 12.5 per cent or so by 2021," he said. He said talks are being held with Municipal Administration department to set up day care centres for senior citizens at parks in the city and other parts of the state.

The Response System is being implemented currently in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) area. Tata Trusts, (Head Geriatrics) Sugandhi Baliga said, "The Trusts Elder Spring Response System was designed with a vision to improve the quality of life of the elderly." PTI VVK BN BN.

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