TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Dignity Foundation, a NGO working for senior citizens that runs several programmes such as helpline, ration support services, loneliness mitigation centres, counselling centres, companionship and a daycare centre for dementia, launched its Goa chapter. The foundation is headquartered in Mumbai.
Premised upon scientific developments in the field of geriatrics and gerontology, it offers opportunities on how to live healthy and active lives when people advance in years. Dignity Foundation which intends to work with the government to set up tribunals in each district as mandated by law to hear cases of elders’ abuse can be contacted on the helpline at 0832 – 2530303.
“Loneliness, the feeling of being unwanted, is the most terrible poverty, says Dr Sheilu Sreenivasan, founder and president of Dignity Foundation.
There are around 2 lakh senior citizens in the State. Though there are a few old age homes that have sprung up in Goa over the past few years, there are limited avenues for senior citizens to engage in meaningful activities and maintain a social support network. Also as migration increases, more and more senior citizens are left to live by themselves and many have become easy targets for criminals, says the foundation.
