Sahaaya-CSI facilitates Sr.Citizen’s improve health at a seminar

Sahaaya-CSI facilitates Sr.Citizen’s improve health at a seminar

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Mangaluru, Sep 6, 2015:  Rev. C L Furtado, retired bishop CSI-KSD, inaugurated the camp along with bishop Sudarshana Devadar, resident bishop, United Methodist Church New England Conference, USA . Premdas Maben, S M Airan, Margaret Amanna and H W Anchan, presidents of CSI senior citizens fellowship were also present. Sahaaya in association with CSI Senior Citizens’ Fellowship of CSI Shanti, CSI Kanthi, CSI Susanthi and CSI Hebich Memorial churches on Saturday Septmeber 5 organised a one day seminar on ’The health and security of seniors’ at Bishop Jathanna Auditorium KACES Campus, Balmatta.

In his address Rev Furtado gave a  call to set more of such programmes to  nurture fellowship and could build a strong network among elders.  He said that the church operating at the local level should make use of this opportunity and actively take part in such events. He also congratulated the organizers on conducting this camp.

Astonishingly, basic fitness for elders which was led by Joe Gonsalves, a 93 year young localite.   He demonstrated  the vital importance of basic fitness in life, especially in later years.   Correct  basic breathing techniques and exercises that help to keep life tolerable reduce back pain, neck pain, and vertigo.  He is a live proof of the fact that basic fitness exercises work. At the age of 94, he walks upright, drives a car in India and in the US and is a virtual walking proof of what care and positiveness can do for all.

Peter Oswald Rodrigues, joint secretary of the Mangalore Senior Citizens Association, detailed  various welfare schemes for senior citizens by the central and the state governments. Senior Citizens Act 2007, income tax and travel concessions, health insurance and other schemes, nomination and simple forms of a ’will’. He explained the need of donation of organs, especially eyes. He interacted with the participants and clarified their queries too.

Post lunch, Jerradin D’Souza, of Mangalore Alzheimer’s Association spoke on  ’Importance to link society and the medical profession’. He dwelt on the need to create a network of socio-medical care. The role of the society in caring and organizing understanding of the challenges in dementia. He explained that there is no cure, the medical profession has its limitations and involving, training and guiding families becomes the first line of attack.

Rev S D Aiman delivered the vote of thanks and Rev Thomas Chindwal compered the programme. More than 130 seniors from various CSI churches participated in this camp.