TNAI's Tribute to Senior Citizens

October 1 is International Day for Older Persons. India is poised to become home to the second largest number of older persons in the world. There are indications that the number of 60 + in India will increase to 100 million in 2013 and to 198 million in 2030. The special features of the elderly population in India are (a) a majority of them are in the rural areas thus making service delivery a challenge, (b) feminization of the elderly population; 51 % of the elderly population would be women by the year 2016. (c) increase in the number of older old (persons above 80 years) and (d) a large number of the elderly are below poverty line.
In our fast ageing world, older people will increasingly playa critical rolethrough volunteer work, transmitting experience and knowledge, helping their families with caring responsibilities and increasing their participation in the paid labour force.cSuch contribution is possible if older persons enjoy adequate levels of health for which appropriate policies need to be in place.
The Government announced the National Policy for Older Persons in 1999.
TNAI has endorsed the Policy and has adopted Position Statement on 'Nurses Role in Care of Elderly'.
TNAI has purchased land for construction of Elderly Care Home. Construction work for the Home will start soon. What could be a better way to pay our tribute to our senior citizens when we celebrate International Day for Older Persons.
We had to postpone the SNA Biennial Conference at Surat in Gujarat because of fioods. The new dates will be announced soon. We commend the efforts of nurses of Gujarat who have left no stone unturned in rehabilitating the citizens who were affected by the wrath of nature.

Sheila Seda

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