Date:16/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/16/stories/2008071658610200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Research centre for senior citizens coming up

Staff Reporter

Book, ‘60 Vayadhukku Piragu…,’ authored by geriatrician V.S.Natarajan launched

— Photo: M.Vedhan

Electricity Minister Arcot N.Veeraswami releases the book in Chennai on Tuesday. Book’s author V.S.Natarajan (left) and honorary secretary of Khadi and Village Industries Board K.Lakshmikanthan Bharathi are in the picture.

CHENNAI: A research centre for senior citizens would be set up within the new annexe of the Government General Hospital to come up in the erstwhile Central prison premises here, Electricity Minister Arcot N.Veeraswami said on Tuesday.

This follows demands to set up an institute for research on ageing and problems associated with it from the Senior Citizen Bureau. The new centre to come up in the GH annexe would address the demands. The Minister was launching a book ‘60 Vayadhukku Piragu…’ (After The Age of 60), authored by senior geriatrician V.S.Natarajan.

The Electricity Minister said the book provided a lot of information in 47 chapters about the various diseases and treatment available. Commending the initiative, he suggested that Dr.Natarajan and his team undertake research to find cures for hitherto “incurable conditions” like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease.

He also gave tips for senior citizens – to undertake physical exercise, drink plenty of water and have a nutritious diet with greens for a healthy lifestyle.

Secretary of Khadi and Village Industries Board K. Lakshmikanthan Bharathi, who received the first copy of the book, suggested that hospitals must allocate one day in a week for senior citizens in their out patient wards. The aged people must be provided representation in local bodies to voice their views.

Dr.Natarajan shared his experience about authoring the book. Besides medical problems, he said that he has attempted to provide solutions to financial, social and psychological problems faced by the aged.

The social problems faced by the elderly have also increased, he said. Priced at Rs.60, the book also has a chapter that gives simple tips for healthy aging in a question and answer format.

Founder chairperson of Vishranthi, Savithri Vaithi, writer Sivasankari and HelpAge India southern region director Indrani Rajadurai also spoke at the function.