Re-examine decision on discontinuing State-level operations of Elder Line: forum

The Senior Citizens Friends Welfare Association has flayed the Union government decision to discontinue the State-level operations of ‘Elder Line’ (14567) helpline for the elderly.

Kerala had the highest life expectancy owing to the quality of health services in the State. It also had the highest proportion of the elderly in the country. Against this backdrop, the Elder Line benefited Keralites the most.

The helpline was critical in informing the authorities concerned of violence against the elderly as well as the needs and problems of the elderly who faced isolation. Those who called the helpline were put in touch with experts and counsellors for taking prompt legal action, rescues, or rehabilitation.

This highly beneficial initiative was now set to be discontinued by the Union government at the State level from April 1 and its functioning transformed into zonal operations, with Kerala included in the south zone that will be headquartered in Telangana, the association said.

With this, the currently easy and transparent Elder Line service will become very difficult to access for the elderly since after dialling 14567 they will have to select from proffered language options through phone keypad inputs and wait for directions.

Call connectivity could be a problem if the traffic was heavy. Information on State-specific schemes could be difficult to come by. The future of schemes prepared with Elder Line involvement such as Sallapam and Sayamprabha rapid response team were also uncertain, it said.

The association urged the Union government to re-examine the decision which, it said, would make the lives of the elderly more difficult.