Elder Line, a boon for senior citizens in Mancherial
Mancherial: Violence against elderly persons continues to exist in society in one form or the other. Many senior citizens are struggling to live with their sons, daughters and siblings for whom they had made many sacrifices, even as they battle with illnesses and age-related issues. For instance, Vijaya (name changed), a 70-year-old resident of Chennur […]
Mancherial: Violence against elderly persons continues to exist in society in one form or the other. Many senior citizens are struggling to live with their sons, daughters and siblings for whom they had made many sacrifices, even as they battle with illnesses and age-related issues.
For instance, Vijaya (name changed), a 70-year-old resident of Chennur town who suffers from age-related ailments, was mentally tortured and abused by her elder son when she refused partition of their property a few months ago. She was subjected to harassment even as she was looked after by her eldest son. However, she is now leading a happy life, thanks to the intervention by Elder Line 14567.
In November of 2021, Laxmavva, a 60-year-old native of Chintapanduwada in Mancherial town, was harassed by her sister and her children, who settled in her house for quite long time. She was assaulted for asking them to leave her house. She sustained an injury on her head when they indiscriminately thrashed her with a stick. Laxmavva has now found a respite.
The common thread in the two instances is the intervention and swift response by authorities of the Elder Line 14567, a national toll free helpline for senior citizens that provides free information, guidance, emotional support, field intervention in cases of abuse and rescues if they are abandoned. Established in October 2020, the service has come in handy for the hapless elderly.
“The Elderly Line registered 146 cases of abuses and harassment against the senior citizens from October of 2020 to November, 2021. As many as 136 cases were resolved. Efforts are on to address the remaining cases. Staffers of the facility are rescuing the senior citizens and are providing shelter to the homeless and abandoned ones while extending emotional support to the needy soon after receiving a call,” District Welfare Officer Durgam Uma Devi told ‘Telangana Today.’
The DWO further said that the helpline, available through all seven days from 8 am to 8 pm, aims at improving the quality of life of senior citizens. Field Response Officer (FRO) Farzana along with her staffers immediately visits the homes of the victims and brings the incidents to the notice of local police if required. They provide medical support, legal guidance in getting maintenance, pensions and in filing suits under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.
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