COVID-19-Support for Elderly : Kolkata Initiatives

In this quarter, due to the third wave of Covid-19, regular project activities were interrupted and delayed. The field-level activities and drop-in centres (Dida Centre) were closed for some time. But the nutritional food support was provided to the elderly women maintaining the Government’s rules and regulations. During that time the operation team tried to observe the health situation of the elderly women closely and provided emergency services when needed. 

Highlights 

• 1 new Dida centre established 
• 200 elderly women covered with Covid-19 vaccination
• 250 women provided nutritional food and well-being support
• 3 Health Camps were organised for elderly women
• 4 women linked to age-old pension and another 10 old age pension forms are under process
• 4 widow pensions applications submitted 

COVID-19 vaccination drives were organised for elderly women with the help state government. During the vaccination drive, medical support was also provided to more than 100 elderly women in three areas of Kolkata -Sahid Smriti, KP Roy Lane, and Mahabirtala. 

In partnership with the prestigious South Asian Medical Students Association, one medical camp was organised in three areas of Kolkata during January and March 2022. Free online and telephonic consultations were also provided to women and elderly women. The medical camps for elderly women have drawn the attention of community people and other women. They have started coming to drop-in centres (Dida Centres) for health-related services and information. 

A new drop-in centre (Dida Centre) for elderly women has been set up in New Abhijan Sangha, Jodhpur Park. The centre will be functional from 17^th March 2022. The number of Dida centres has increased from six to seven, from where more than 250 women are getting nutritional food, medical treatments, and psychosocial and well-being support. The women are engaged in recreational activities. 

During this quarter, the elderly women were provided help to get entitlements like widow pension, old age pension, and other facilities from the government. The team has reached out to government agencies and officials for the new registration of widow pensions, social benefits, etc. 

In this quarter, CHSJ has been able to link one elderly woman for the old age pension. The pension amount has been stated to be credited to the bank account of the woman. Ten old age pension applications were submitted to the Purta Bhawan of the government of West Bengal. The process for four widow pensions and 12 old age pension has been initiated in this quarter. 

Project Summary: This project has helped established 6 Women's Community Centers (WCC) which serves women in the slums of Kolkata, India. These WCCs have a) Seniors Day Care b) Activity centre for Adolescent girls and provide c) Meeting space for women's groups. The growing populations of elderly women face a life of neglect and loneliness. In the project intervention slums, the adolescent girls also have few opportunities beyond the cycle of hardship, discrimination and violence. This project is trying to create both hope and opportunities for women of different ages.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge? 

Women over the age of 60 come to the seniors’ Day Care Center and build community with other senior women. Kolkata Initiatives supports work with women and girls across different age groups – elderly women, adult women and adolescent girls.

Explain how the project has reached expected outcomes or goals with the funds raised

There are a total of 6 centres in 4 slums, namely, Shahid Smriti, Jhorobasti, K.P Roy Lane (Kheyali Sangha) and Sahebmahal Mahabirtala. The centre in Panchanantala has been stopped in the last quarter of February because of too much political pressure at that time. Thereafter a new centre was started in Mahabirtala. 2’elderly ’ Day Care Centre hasabove  30 participants. There are 2 centres in Shahid Smriti and Mahabirtala. Total 193 participants in 6 elderly daycare centres are supported through this initiative.

In April we have distributed regular dry food packets comprising of Puffed rice, Muri, biscuits, sattu atta Noodles, Semolina to 193 elderly women of 6 Centre.  In April we were able to run regular centre activities. Like yoga, games, storytelling, meditation, nutrition support.  Apart from those, we started giving vaccine support and guidance to the community through these centres.

In the past 4months (May toAugust 2021)  due to the raising COVID Pandemic, we have to stop our regular Centre activities as the lockdown was declared in West Bengal. Yet we were committed to reaching out to the elderly and as we know that they will be more vulnerable during the situation.

We have kept regular communication by phone with the elderly during health care and vaccination. During the COVID second wave,  we regularly took the update of the elderly and their families, we provided information on the prevention of COVID infection, homecare if anyone from the family is infected and when to get hospitalized and treatment available at various hospitals.  We have also given the importance of the vaccination of the elderly. Many have been taken to the hospital and vaccinated, and we have provided information on where and when the vaccine slot is available. The dry ration food distribution continued during the closure of the centre and it was continued twice a month and was provided to 193 elderly women.

Potential Long-Term Impact:

Elderly women overcome feelings and situations of loneliness and isolation. The centre has also helped in bringing awareness to the members of the family on how to take care of the elderly in the family Adolescent girls developed self–confidence and self-esteem and we can make decisions about their future. The TheAikido sessions helped girls with self-protection and the various online awareness messages were circulated on legal rights.        

Potential covid prior impact: Elderlywomen were terrified due to the increase in the Covid cases in the 2nd wave. The Centerwas also close due to raising Covid cases. As a result of the closure of the centre, the elderly began to suffer from depression. The closure of schools and the mobility of children were also affected. Regular phone contact with elderly women was done and assured them that they are not alone and support was provided through volunteers. Home visits were done when the lockdown was lifted. For those who were not able to get to the vaccination centres, the arrangements were done through volunteers and team members to get them vaccinated. Dry ration kits were also distributed to them.

Case Study

Kalyani 

Kalyani is 65 years old and she lives alone at KP Ray Lane. She is a widow. She has two sons and a daughter butnone of them took the responsibility of their mother. She gets some money from the government old-age allowance scheme. It helps with medicine and some food. Kolkata Initiative helped her to join the centre and she started visiting the centre regularly. She started doing yoga and joined the game sessions with other members. She said that his body and mind have been very good since she started coming to the centre and now she stays well and her loneliness is gone as she can meet other members at the centre talk to them and spend time with them.  The dry rations from the centre help her with her food necessities which were earlier not possible.

Gayarani 

Gayarani is 70 years old and a widow and lives alone,  sheis a domestic worker and due to continuous work as domestic workers shifting houses from one to another, she was unable to cater to her nutritional needs and started suffering from various health issues. She gets a widow pension and earns some amount by working as domestic help. She is involved with the Centre as she is a member. She regularly collects the dry ration and visits the centre regularly for activities organized at the centre. Her health is improved and she is mentally happy as she meets many other members from the centre.