HASL guides Anandians on elderly care

Over 1,000 students of Colombo Ananda College, recently valued a seminar by the HelpAge Sri Lanka (HASL) on elders and endorsed that it is their paramount duty to look after elders with love, protection and care.

The seminar was conducted by HelpAge Youth Education Director G.C. Mendis at the college auditorium under the theme “Caring for elders and to create an environment for them to live with dignity.”

He also explained the importance of strengthening the rapport between them with their parents and grandparents while urging to keep them within their family circle without sending to elders’ homes.

Speaking further, the Director urged young Anandians not to isolate their parents and grandparents considering the sacrificed they rendered to the society in the past.

“Although there are nearly 300 elders’ homes in the country, statistics revealed that 99 percent elders are living with their families relatives or on their own,” he added. He also related several stories of world-famous characters who did not isolate their parents and grandparents and reminded how former American President Barack Obama treated his grandmother until her death.

HelpAge Programme Manager Chaminda de Silva said the objective of conducting such awareness programmes is to motivate the minds of schoolchildren on the value of helping elders. HelpAge Executive Director Samantha Liyanawaduge said in addition to free cataract surgeries for underprivileged senior citizens, the HASL also provide them with free disabled equipment such as wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, hearing aids and spectacles.

He said the HelpAge runs a day care centre at No. 24, Dharmarama Mawatha, Borupana Road, Ratmalana for senior citizens to visit in the morning and return to their homes in the evening.

Master - in-charge B.M. Tilakaratna, in his address, admired the seminar and highlighted the value of elders and the importance of caring for them. Deputy Principals Sarath Gunathilaka, Randika Perera, Assistant Principal Kumudu Wickramasekara were also present at the event.