Press Release

On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Health Experts emphasize on Disabled Elderly as the most vulnerable group in ASSOCHAM webinar

ASSOCHAM organised “Disability & Elderly Growing with Dignity” webinar Wwth the paramount objective to cascade awareness and disseminate knowledge about disabilities & elderly, to lead a healthier, happier, and prosperous life.

5th December 2022, NEW DELHI: The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), an apex body, organized a webinar on “Disability & Elderly Growing with Dignity”  With the paramount objective to cascade awareness and disseminate knowledge about disabilities & elderly, to lead a healthier, happier, and prosperous life. The webinar, which is a part of the Illness to Wellness initiative, highlighted issues that affect people with disabilities and to champion their well-being, their dignity and fundamental rights. 

Mr Anil Rajput, Chairman, ASSOCHAM CSR Council in his introductory remarks said, "It is quite certain that the elderly are one of the worst affected and neglected sections today and therefore taking care of them should be our utmost priority, more so when 8.4% of the current elderly population of our country has some kind of disability."

"Specialized interventions such as physical and mental assistance, access to healthcare, finance, technology solutions for accessibility and assistance along with awareness campaigns on nutritional requirements and metal wellbeing will go a long way in creating an enabling environment where disabled elders can lead a healthy, independent and self-sufficient life", he added 

Prof. (Dr) Rajinder K Dhamija Director Institute of Human Behaviour & Allied Sciences (IHBAS), New Delhi said Disability is not only physical but intellectual too which is equally important. He gave 5 key messages for graceful ageing, he mentioned (1) increase physical activity (2) Cognitive fitness (3) risk factor (modifiable) (4) Diet (5 serving of fruits & vegetables & cut down your salt-sugar) (5) Sleep hygiene (7-8 hours sleep every day). 

Mr. Rohit Prasad Chief Executive Officer HelpAge India highlighted ''About 40% of elders face functional disability adversely affecting quality of life'' Unfortunately, range of disabilities go unrecognized & unaddressed. A Large access/provision gap exists even for available solutions. Much greater collective action is required to help elders live life to full potential, he added.  

We need to see Ability in disability According to Mr. Sailesh Mishra Founder President - Silver Innings Group, Founder A1 Snehanjali, Assisted Living Elder Care Home.  Remember there is a Person who needs are attention, being Empathetic towards Elders in Disability will give them Security and Dignity in their silver years, he noted.  

Dr P. T. Sivakumar, Professor and Head, Geriatric Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, NIMHANS shared To protect the dignity and wellbeing of senior people with dementia, universal health coverage that offers promotive, preventative, diagnostic, and care services, including palliative and rehabilitative care, is important. He added, Early diagnosis is important & post diagnosis care is equally important. 

Dr. Rajesh Kesari, the founder and director of Total Care Control in Delhi-NCR and a member of the RSSDI EC who moderated the discussion, summed it up when he said, "Disability is, in simple terms, a physical or mental condition or both that limits an individual's movement, activities, or sense of perception." Disability” and “elderly” encompasses a much larger spectrum of the conditions with unique requirements and needs.