Aurangabad: Now, elderly to get social and financial guidance at GMCH

AURANGABAD: Marking the International Day for Older Persons, the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH)'s geriatric department has opened a guidance centre for its elderly people in the OPD building.
The guidance centre was inaugurated by GMCH dean Kanan Yelikar on Thursday in the presence of deputy director of health services Swapnil Lale, district civil surgeon Sundar Kulkarni and director of Marathwada Mehsul Prabodhini Anjali Dhanorkar.A poster presentation was also held in OPD hall on care of geriatric population and their rights.
The centre would serve as a support for the elderly people who need health-related guidance, who are financially weak and those who lack family or social support.
Speaking at the inauguration, dean Kanan Yelikar said that while the children should ensure that they take proper care of their elderly parents, the older persons should also learn to adjust with the changing times. "With the new generation taking charge, the things may not happen as before but it is important to adapt with the changes," Yelikar said.
Head of department of geriatrics, Mangala Borkar said that many elderly people face intellectual and financial difficulties apart from health issues. "The guidance centre will apprise them about the various schemes of the government like Shravan Baal Yojana and help them in ensuring they have the required documents to claim them," Borkar said. The centre is aimed at making the lives easier and better for the elderly persons. It would also provide counselling to caregivers, she said.
The centre would be open from 11 am to 1 pm every Friday at OPD room number 142, first floor, OPD building. People aged above 65 years can approach the person at the centre for assistance.
The district civil hospital has been contributing to the geriatrics department by providing a full time person to the GMCH for clerical work and other assistance.