OLD AGE CARE

Training & Capacity Building:

The long-term, short-term and thematic-based courses that are presently being carried out by NISD/collaborating organisations are:

1. PG Diploma in Integrated Geriatric Care

Target Group: An individual having graduation and above educational qualification and interested in working in this field.

Aims and Objectives:

• Develop a cadre of frontline skilled/trained personnel of geriatric care
• Provide a comprehensive and scientific knowledge base on various aspects relating to the geriatric care
• Develop an appropriate aptitude and skill for working with older persons

The course curriculum broadly includes:

• Gerontology
• Public Policy and Planning
• Clinical Geriatrics
• Geriatric Management
• Psychology and Counselling
• Research Methodology

Academic inputs include:

(i) Seminar Presentation
(ii) Dissertation
(iii) Group Project
(iv) Field work/Placement
Duration of the Course: 1 Year
Number of Seats: 25
Announcement of the Course in National/Regional Dailies: May/June

Admission to the course is made on the basis of Common Aptitude Test (CAT) held on all-India basis, group discussion and interview

Tentative Date of Commencement of Course: October 1
Career Prospects:
The career opportunities for the post-graduate course could range from non-governmental sectors, government sectors, corporate sectors and academic institutions as:
• Project Director/Programme Managers
• Counsellors & Consultants in CBO
• Associates with RWA and NGOs
• Professionals in Hospital Settings
• Prospective Faculty Members and Instructors/Trainers in Academic Institutes

2. Certificate Courses in Geriatric Care
(i) Three-Month Basic Course for Caregivers /Bed Assistants
Target Group: Any individual having passed 10th standard, having a desire to serve senior citizens.
Aims & Objectives:
• Create a cadre of caregivers in bed-care assistance, etc
• Provide palliative care services, emergency and crisis-management
Course Curriculum includes:
• Introduction to NISD
• Body system, functions & related problems in Elderly
• Mental Health Issues Concerns in Elderly
• Communication
• Infection Prevention & Control
• Nutrition
• Positions, Use of comfort devices and Assistive Devices
• Caring Procedures
Practical training inputs include:
• Field Visits in Old Age Homes/Age Care Institutions for exposure
• Short term Placement in Government Hospitals
Duration of the Course: 3 months
Number of Seats: 25
Desirable: Preference will be given to the candidates having certificates / experience(s)/training of working in (Home setting, Hospital, Age Care Institutions, Nursing home, NGOs)
Course fees: Nil (Free)
Selection Criterion: The suitable candidates should be selected through personal interviews. The final selections are based on the interest to work for the care of senior citizens, qualification, age criteria, valid aadhaar card & verifications of original documents.
3. One-month advance course on Palliative Caregivers and One-month advance course on Dementia Caregivers & Stress Management – In process
Target Group:
NGO functionaries and service providers
Aims & Objectives:
• Build a comprehensive knowledge base on basic issues in geriatric care
• Enhance their skill and capacities in counselling and management of age care institutions
• Expose to various situations and innovative approaches in the field of ageing
• Enhance their knowledge in resource management, advocacy and networking
Course curriculum includes:
• Socio-Demographic Dynamics
• Public Policy and Planning
• Fundamentals of Ageing Care
• Geriatric Counselling
• Geriatric Management
Practical training inputs include:
• Field visits in old age homes/age care institutions for exposure
• Short-term placement in hospitals with specialised facility for Geriatric Care
• Innovative projects on the aged population
• Report writing and seminar presentation
4. Training Programmes on Themes like Geriatric Counselling, Management of Dementia, etc
Target Group:
NGO functionaries and service providers Aims & Objectives:
• Develop and enhance the basic skills in Geriatric Counselling of the key functionaries of different NGOs.
• Enable the participants understand the various psychological factors related to ageing.
• Orient the participants with various approaches in Counselling for the care of older persons.
• Give practical exposure of specialized intervention strategies while caring for the aged.
• Create awareness about dementia and its various types
• Educate volunteers and caregivers to identify early warning signs of dementia and early prevention
• Enhance the skills of caregivers in managing the elderly with dementia
Training includes:
• Classroom Sessions (Theory & Practical) on specific topics
• Field Visits in Old Age Homes/Age Care Institutions for exposure
5. One-Day Programmes
• On Govt. Policies and Programmes/ Schemes
• On Inter-generational bonding in Schools and Colleges
• On MWPSC Act 2007
• On Holistic Health including Yoga, natural therapy & Physiotherapy
• On Diet & Nutrition for Senior Citizens
• On Related other Therapies like Music therapy, Acupuncture, acupressure
• Awareness programmes on common physical & Mental Health issues among elderly
• Others awareness programmes related to elderly issues.
Target Group:
PRIs, Teachers, Counsellors, Anganwadi Workers, ASHA workers, School and College Students, Youth
Aims & Objectives:
• Sensitise and create awareness for bridging the inter-generational gap
• Sensitise and create awareness on the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007
•Awareness on holistic health care and nutrition.
6. Conducting International / National / Regional / State level Conferences, Seminars and workshops of Elderly issues.
7. Capacity Development Programmes including TOT:
• Three-day Residential Training Programme on Basic Geriatric Care
• Three days Residential Training Programme on Geriatric Counselling
• Three days Residential Training Programme on Dementia Care and Management
• Three days Residential Training Programme on Yoga for Senior Citizens, Physiotherapy, Naturopathy etc.
• Three days Residential Training Programme on Skill Development Programmes for senior Citizens (Elderly Self Help Groups, Inmates of Sr. Citizen Homes, Sr. Citizen Associations, etc.)
• Three days Residential Training Programme on Music Therapy and other related therapies.
• Three days Residential Training Programme on Common Health Problems / issues and Importance of immunization schedule among Sr. Citizens.
• Training of Trainers (ToT) program for different stakeholders like State Department functionaries, Social Work Institutions, etc.,
8. Digitalization and online Courses, Pod Cast recordings etc.
• Online programmes on elderly issues
• Pod cast for Senior Citizens (Recordings)
9. Outreach Programmes like Health Camps, Digital Literacy etc.,
• Health Camps
• Digital Literacy
• Meditation / Spiritual Camps
• Five (5) Days outreach Programme for the family members on Primary Care.
• Udyog Mela for Senior Citizens etc.
• One Day Inter-generation Mela / Traditional Fashion Shows.
10. Research & Documentation
• Short Term Research Activities on Elderly Issues
• Middle Term Research Activities on Elderly Issues
11. Other Activities:
• Observation and celebration of International Day of Older Persons
• Observation of World Elderly Abuse Awareness Day
• Observation and celebration of World Alzheimer's Day
• Observation and celebration of International Yoga Day, etc. Walkathons…
• Conduct Sports events for Senior Citizens
• Others……
Other Activities: Sr.CD
• Developed Module on Yoga for Senior Citizens and conducted yoga classes for Senior Citizen Homes through Indian Yoga Association.