• Project 'National Initiative on Care for Elderly' :

The project 'NICE', a National Initiative on Care for Elderly is developed by the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) to enhance the delivery of care to the elderly in de-institutionalised settings. The focus of the project is on creating awareness, identification of the needs, targeted intervention and optimisingcapabilities to improve the quality of life of the elderly.

THE NEED

The demographic trend in India has been towards an increasing number of elderly due to the increased life span of the population, in general. The demographic change has been accompanied with a fast changing family structure due to forces like urbanization and migration which are not quite conducive to the welfare of the elderly. The trend clearly reveals that ageing will become a major social challenge in the future and vast resources will be required towards support, care and treatment of the older persons. In order to cope with the problems faced by the aged, it is necessary to educate & import training to persons concerned with the welfare of the older persons and to develop trained manpower, which can take care of older persons within the community setting.

THE MANDATE

With an overall objective of ensuring active, healthy and dignified ageing, NICE aims at the well being of the older persons. Thus, it is involved in (i) identifying the specific needs of the elderly (ii) capacity building of service providers and cadre of professional caregivers and (iii) creating enabling social environment and attitude.

AREAS OF INTERVENTION

Lifestyles : Enhanced independence

• Self-Care
• Independent functioning
• Transportation & Mobility
• Attitudes & Perceptions
• Overcome marginalisation / diminishing self-confidence
• Issue of emotional dependence
• Communication skill
• Environmental/Cultural factors
• Encourage realistic perception of self
• Enhance copying mechanism for problem solving
• Causes of ageing

• Issue of elderly abuse
• Crisis intervention
• Adjustment Problems
• Dealing with Stress
• Older persons affected by conflicts/disasters
• Self-help groups
• Pressure groups
• Networking of formal & informal organization

THREE COMPONENTS OF THE PROJECT

• Prevention
• Control
• Care

COURSES PROFILE

Most aged people need special care. They also require trained caretakers who can perceive their needs and address them appropriately. Realizing the dearth of trained Geriatric caregivers, the NISD has conceptualised & initiated a unique programme under the project 'NICE' to educate those concerned with care of the elderly through master trainers trained by them.

Eligibility/Selection Criterion

Candidates having Matriculation and attained 18 years are eligible for these courses. Preference is given to candidates having an experience(s) of working in Age Care Organisations. The training courses are meant for sponsored candidates. Selection for admission in the 6-month certificate course is made through Common Aptitude Test (CAT) held on all India basis followed by a personal interview.

Career Opportunities :

• Home Carer
• Social Worker
• Emergency Relief Worker
• Health Worker
• Nursing Assistant
• Home Nursing Attendant
• Assistant-Mobile Medicare Unit
• Project Assistant
• Physiotherapy assistant

Approach : All aspects of old age related activities, problems, expectations, behaviour and performance have been taken into account while developing a comprehensive course curriculum, which is broadly classified into major subjects. Each subject is further classified into various learning units, including classroom training, observation visits/field visits. Each learning unit covers topics consisting of lesson plan.

Methodology : The Courses are an appropriate mix of theoretical sessions with field exposure and practical training to build up knowledge, attitude and skills in the field of Geriatric Care. To maximize learning, the methodology includes a variety of methods like small group activities, case studies, role-play, participatory activities, presentations, lectures, hospital/institutional visit, individual assignments and panel discussions. Inputs of the best practices of working with elderly are also provided to the students by national level experts in Geriatrics.

Internship : The internship includes placement of students with old age homes, age care institutions & some selected homes of the elderly besides an extensive door to door survey to collect data. The survey is basically meant to identify the realistic needs of the elderly perceived by the elderly themselves. Preparation & submission of a dissertation of their individual field surveys is an essential part of the course.

Highlights of the Basic Curriculum

• Social Gerontology : Introduction to ageing; Its basics, definition, demographic trends, processes, myths & stereo-type of ageing and prejudice & discrimination against elderly; Sociology & Social Work; Knowledge about effects of culture, tradition and customs on older persons, position of the older persons within the community; Understanding the merits & demerits of nuclear and joint family systems; Social security measures, social work methods; Psychology & Human Behaviour; Understanding the concept of mental health and the emotional status in old age; Dementia and attending to their safety needs; Knowledge of mental ability and behavior of the aged; Knowledge about social psychology- interpersonal relationships, group behavior and comfort, counseling, rehabilitation, family and social adjustment.
• Basic Geriatrics : Community Health and Environmental Hygiene; knowledge about promotion of environmental health through safe water supply, sanitation programmes, control of communicable diseases; Ways of imparting the same through home visits and health education; Coping up with problems of elderly by counseling, referrals, identification and productive engagement of older persons; Knowing about good communication skills-verbal and non-verbal with older persons; Understanding the nutritional needs of the older persons specially during sickness and diet management; Anatomy & Physiology; Basic terms, organization of body, different body parts and their systems.
• Applied Geriatrics : Fundamental of Ageing Care: Understanding the concept of the basic care, basic needs, first aid, terminal care for the elderly; Social Welfare Activities; Ability to organize Old Age Homes and Day Care Centres; free health check up; Club for the Aged; cultural events; Economic support from Government and non-Government Sector, etc.
• Geriatric Nursing : Special Care of the Elderly. Understanding old age-related diseases and the ability to attend to the needs of older persons during sickness such as cardio-vascular problems, hypertension, respiratory problems, gastro-intestinal changes, disorders of urinary system, nervous system disorder, cataract, glaucoma and hearing problems; Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation; Understanding the techniques for restoring normal life for older persons as far as possible; Knowledge of the types of exercises-active/passive/therapeutic, heat application-types of heat, radiation and heat modalities; rehabilitation devices and their uses; Healthy Ageing: How to lead an active and healthy life in old age.

Post Graduate Diploma : An Overview

The concept of 'Geriatric Care' in India seeks an adequate attention to provide positive interventions for strengthening social support systems for the older persons. The support services in existing system require boosting to cater to the needs of increasing number of the older persons, both in urban as well as rural settings. Accordingly, a specialized one year Post Graduate Diploma Course in 'Integrated geriatric care' is instituted under the Project 'NICE', with a specific aim to develop a team of quality geriatric care personnel at managerial level. The course is open to on-job volunteers as well as regular graduates to meet the demand for providing skill based, field oriented, trained personnel in the Geriatric care.

Eligibility/Selection Criterion

Candidates possessing Bachelor's Degree, preferably in Sociology, Social Work, Anthropology, Psychology, Nursing, Home Science or equivalent from a recognized University or Institute and minimum of 20 years of age are eligible for the Course. Working in Age Care Organizations and/or holding a certificate(s) in the field of Old Age Care have an advantage. Final selection for admission is made through Common Aptitude Test (CAT) held in all India basis followed by group discussion & interview.

Career Prospects

NGOs

National

• Project Director and Programme Managers
• Human Resource Development Professionals & Managers
• Counselors & Consultants in Community Based Organisations
• Associates with Residents Welfare Associations (RWA)

International

• Programme Officers/Associates
• Social Development Divisions of International Organisations
• Foreign assisted Programmes/Projects run by various International Bodies/Countries.

Government Sector

• Professionals in Hospital Settings Middle level Professionals/Welfare Officers.
• Academic Institutes
• Prospective Faculty Members and Instructors/Trainers

Course Contents

Geriatrics : Fundamentals of Gerontology, Myths & Misconceptions about Aged, Population Ageing, Theories of Ageing, Epidemiology of Ageing, Family and the Aged, Aged and Community, Aspects of Elder Care, Minimum Standards of Elderly Care, Rehabilitation, Geriatric Career: An Emerging Issue.

Geriatrics Health : Basics of Geriatrics, Principles of Clinical Geriatrics, Geriatric Physical Disorders, Geriatric Mental Disorder, Common Geriatric Diseases: Prevention & Care, Approach to Elderly, Health Education, Physical Activity and Fitness, Nutrition & Diet of Elderly, Poly-pharmacy, Health Care Services, Long Term Care in Geriatric Rehabilitation, Community Geriatrics.

Geriatrics Management : Managament Processes, HRD-Concept & Sub-Systems, Role, Stress and Conflict Management, Management-Specific Situation, Project Management and MIS, Managing Age Care, Budgeting & Accounting, Feedback and Evaluation, Communications and Public Relations.

Social Policy and Planning : Social Change, Law & Justice; Government, Social, Economic Support & Security; Specialised Schemes and Services; Social Work Methods; Advocacy; Empowerment & Policy Intervention; Role of Media & Issues of Elderly.

Geriatrics Counselling : Counselling: Conceptual Framework; Principles of Care; Counselling: Skill, Techniques and Methods; Counselling Process; Counselling & its Types; Crisis Intervention & Counselling; Preventive Intervention for Problems of Older Persons; Social Support & Networking; Roles, Responsibility & Contribution of Older Persons; Life Style Dynamics

Geriatrics Research : Meaning and Types of Research; Methods of Research; Research Design; Meaning and Types; Data Collection; Statistical Applications in Research; Interpretation Techniques and Report Writing; Information & Communication Techniques (ICT) in Research; Action Oriented Research; Specialized Research Intervention Strategies.

Project/Seminar Presentation : Team project is a joint venture of a group of four students each. These students would work as a team and prepare a 'project' based on the secondary data with reference to field of their choice. Besides, each student has to present an individual seminar based on the subject 'Geriatrics'.

Internship and Dissertation : Students are placed at different Age Care Institutions as part of their internship/pre-job training after the completion of classroom teaching. Concurrently, they are carrying out fieldwork (household survey) for these two months and submit a dissertation report based on the specific topic assigned to an individual student under the vigilance of the supervisor.