(a) Elder-Phone Service
Senior Citizens usually have many queries about various subjects including health issues, Income, security, law, leisure & facilities , protection against abuse, housing issues and others. However, they usually cannot obtain the information required easily. Many senior citizens also need a sympathetic ear to listen to their problems and to provide solutions thereto. Hence, in order to provide individualised advice and help to senior citizens, a new telephone service has been launched. The telephone has a 3 digit number "172" which is easy to remember it and is operational between 09.00 to 16.00 hours on week days. It is equipped with an answering machine for calls outside normal working hours.
The calls after 16.00 hours are recorded and the next day, the calls are processed and registered in a prescribed form and the client called back and given the appropriate information. A one-week training on "Customer Care" was held for Officers working on the new elder-phone service. Subjects such as communication skills, reception of telephone calls, psychology of elderly were tackled during this training course so that the Officers are better equipped to provide good customer care.
(b) Visit to Infirmaries
Grants are allocated to infirmaries by this Ministry. Inmates receive weekly visits by medical officers and since January 2003, Nursing Officers have been posted to these infirmaries. With the collaboration of Lux Development, medical apparatuses have been distributed to the Charitable Institutions. Medical files have been introduced for medical follow-up. Regular meetings are held at the Medical Unit between the Medical Director and the persons in charge of the Charitable Institutions. Training courses have also been organised for the medical officers attending these institutions in certain specialities such as psychiatry and otholaryngology.
(c) Domiciliary Visits to Persons over 90 years
Medical Practitioners of this Ministry pay monthly visits to persons aged 90 and above to assess their state of health and prescribe medication when necessary. At present, there are 1304 cases over 90 years out of which around 60 cases are centenarians who benefit from this service. Health cards which have been introduced in 2001 are also filled in duplicate by the Medical Officer, one of which is left with the persons and the other is kept at the Medical Unit.
(d) Health and Nutrition Clubs (NHCs)
The setting up of Health and Nutrition Clubs (NHCs) in the community through the network of Social Welfare Centres is in line with the objective of the "National Policy on Ageing" of the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Senior Citizens Welfare and Reform Institutions.
The above Clubs are operational at Social Welfare Centres, Community Centres, Municipalities and Rodrigues. The Ministry has provided BP apparatuses & Glucometers to these Clubs. The Medical Unit ensures that the Clubs are being run in the best possible conditions and that they meet their objective as regards health promotion & disease prevention. It also encourages the proliferation of similar Clubs throughout the island.
Arrangements have been made to check blood sugar levels and blood pressure at regular intervals accordingly, and hence any newly detected cases can be referred to the appropriate health centre for follow up.
(e) Health promotion and Disease Prevention
Health promotion is the process of enabling people to take control and to improve their health. Disease prevention includes the prevention and management of the conditions that are particularly common such as non-communicable diseases, cancers and injuries. Prevention refers to: "primary prevention" and "secondary prevention: (screening for early disease detection). "Tertiary prevention" provides for good clinical management to prevent the complications of diseases and disability. Senior Citizens have been grouped into 20 Health and Nutrition Clubs regionwise. They have been initiated to take responsibility for maintaining their health.
A training course on" the care of Elderly and the Disabled" was conducted by the Ministry of Social Security for Senior Citizens and for other carers of the elderly, namely officers working in Social Welfare Centres which are the meeting places of many non-dependent old persons.
Each month an activity concerning a specific health problem is being tackled. Resource persons such as doctors, nurses and health educators provide their services. The topics addressed are Diabetes, Hypertension, Cardio Vascular Disease, Mental problems, Falls in the elderly and the most important topic being palliative care for people in their end of life.
(f) Booklet on Nutrition
A booklet on proper nutrition for the elderly has been prepared by the medical unit and it has been made available to most Health Clubs for the elderly. It is also a reference book for the nurses who carry out health education sessions.
