Kolkata: West Bengal has received a proposal to strengthen geriatric healthcare and welfare services for senior citizens, including the creation of a State-Level Geriatric Care Task Force.
The proposal was presented to Minister of State (Independent Charge) Malati Rava Roy, Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, during a meeting at Bikash Bhavan. The delegation included Dr. Dhires Kumar Chowdhury and Mrs. Kajari Sen.
Task Force to Coordinate Elderly Care
The proposed task force would assess the needs of senior citizens and help coordinate healthcare and social welfare programmes. It could also recommend guidelines for long-term care, caregiver training and age-friendly services.
The proposal highlights challenges such as chronic illnesses, dementia, reduced mobility, loneliness, social isolation and financial insecurity among elderly people.
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Community and Mobile Support Proposed
The framework recommends community-level support for vulnerable senior citizens, particularly those living alone or without adequate family assistance. Trained volunteers could conduct wellbeing checks and help connect them with healthcare and welfare services.
It also proposes exploring mobile geriatric healthcare services for rural and underserved areas. These could provide basic health screening, awareness on healthy ageing and referrals for specialised treatment.
Focus on Caregivers and Day-Care Centres
The proposal calls for structured caregiver training covering personal care, fall prevention, nutrition, dementia-sensitive care and emergency response. Such programmes could also create employment opportunities for young people and women.
Community day-care centres have also been suggested to provide companionship, recreation, counselling, digital literacy and information about welfare schemes.
Long-Term and Residential Care
The proposal also calls for stronger care options for senior citizens who need continuing assistance or residential support. These could include government-supported old-age homes, assisted-living facilities, respite care and dementia-sensitive services.
The framework emphasises maintaining dignity, transparency and quality of service while expanding elderly care capacity.
The delegation also invited Minister Malati Rava Roy to GSICON 2026, a three-day International Conference of Geriatrics and Gerontology, scheduled to begin on September 18 at the Newtown Convention Centre in Kolkata.
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