THENI: A home for the aged will be started in Theni shortly to cater to the needs of senior citizens. At present, two homes run by Government at Uthamapalayam and Lakshminaickenpatti near Thevaram are functioning in the district, according to Collector Har Sahay Meena.
He was addressing an International Day of Older Persons held here on Wednesday.
A total of 25,953 aged persons, including 5,423 persons in Periakulam, 6,568 in Andipatti, 3,464 in Theni, 7,198 in Uthamapalayam and 2,557 in Bodinaickanur, were getting financial assistance such as old age pension, destitute widow pension and disabled assistance regularly from the Government. An old age pension of Rs.400 and two kg rice per month and a set of dhotis and saris once in a year were being disbursed to 8,754 persons. Over 7,900 elderly persons get lunch through noon meal centres, he said.
“Presence of older persons at home will bring a lot of benefits to the family, particularly young ones. Children will get an opportunity know our culture and tradition. Elders will tutor young generations on social behaviour also. Their experience will certainly be a guiding light to the next generation. Moreover, they will act as a bridge in strengthening human relationship and family unity,” he opined.
Later, the Collector disbursed welfare aid worth Rs.7.61 lakh to 79 beneficiaries and honoured Santhana Devi, 106-year-old woman.
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