Telangana senior citizens day care centres to be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays

Telangana government’s Pranaam Day Care Centres for senior citizens would function from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on all weekdays, except on Sundays and government holidays. Basic medical checkups would be conducted once a week and medicines would be provided free of cost based on doctor’s prescription. Books and some resources for indoor sports too would be available. These are some of the operational guidelines framed for running the centres.

The centres were inaugurated by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday (January 12). The multiservice Day Care Centres were introduced to promote social interaction among senior citizens, contributing to their mental well-being, as per a press note.

The government approved 39 such centres, with one each at district headquarters. Hyderabad, Medchal Malkajgiri, Rangareddy and Hanamkonda will have two centres each. It was learnt that the resources would be set up completely by next week.

Director of the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Senior Citizens and Transgender Persons, B. Shailaja said that several senior citizens do not have anyone to talk with as the family is busy with work. “This initiative helps senior citizens to gather and socialise. We are trying to provide a basic nutritious meal once a day. They can come and leave anytime they want,” she said. Other officials too said it helps in addressing loneliness experienced in old age.

It was learnt that the Central government approved around ₹12 lakh per Day Care Centre per annum and the funds would be released every year. Officials are planning to integrate the centres with Geriatric Wards at Government Hospitals, coordinate with police to organise awareness sessions on cybercrime, plan outdoor programmes and other activities for the wellbeing of people in old age. Senior citizens responded positively to the initiative.