HelpAge seminar on caring for the elderly | Daily News

HelpAge seminar on caring for the elderly

HelpAge Programme Director G.C. Mendis addressing students at D.S.Senanayake College Auditorium.
HelpAge Programme Director G.C. Mendis addressing students at D.S.Senanayake College Auditorium.

HelpAge Youth Education Programme Director G.C. Mendis said that current statistics reveal that 99% of elders in the country are living with their families and not at Elders’ Homes. 

He said elders should always be with their children and grandchildren as they like to lead their twilight days with their loved ones. 

He made these remarks during a seminar conducted by HelpAge Sri Lanka (HASL) at D.S. Senanayake College Auditorium, under the theme ‘Care for Elders and Create an Environment for Them to Live with Dignity’, which was attended by about 600 students. 

Mendis reminded how former American President Barack Obama treated his grandmother until her demise, and how late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher also valued elders.  

He also said HelpAge was established three decades ago in order to improve eyecare and medical facilities for underprivileged senior citizens in the country.  

D.S. Senanayake College Deputy Principal Indika Liyanage said she valued the elderly, considering the invaluable service they have rendered to society. She requested her students not to isolate elderly persons, including their own parents and grandparents. Liyanage also admired the seminar which created the awareness of children on the value of elders. 

HASL Executive Director Samantha Liyanawaduge said HelpAge promotes the concept of ‘Elders’ Day Centres’: places where elders could visit in the morning and participate in various activities before returning to their homes in the evening. 

He further said that HelpAge performs about 20 free cataract surgeries on senior citizens every day at the HelpAge Eye Hospital on Sinsapa Road, Wellawatte; and also provide them with free spectacles. 

Liyanawaduge appealed to interested parties to join hands with HelpAge to improve the living standards of elders by contacting 011-2803752/53/54.