Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 9: At a well-attended function organised by the Central Govt Pensioners’ Welfare Association, Jammu (CGPWA) today to celebrate the 35th Senior Citizen’s Day, Dr Manu Arora, Head of the Psychiatry, Govt Medical College Jammu today unfolded a strategy to prevent mental health issues among elders.
The function was presided over by the President CGPWA and former DGP & CVC, Kuldeep Khoda while the former DGP, Dr Ashok Bhan was the guest of honour. Among others, B R Sharma and Ashok Angurana were present on the occasion. The gathering included pensioners, morning walkers and members of civil society.
Dr Manu Arora delivered an illuminating Health Talk on mental health issues among senior citizens. He said that the senior citizens must remain emotionally healthy by staying socially engaged, attend to cognitive health conditions by undertaking brain exercises reading, lifelong learning and technology adoption.
Dwelling on various mental health issues commonly encountered by elders and the growing magnitude of the problem, Dr Manu said that the elders get changes which he bracketed as physical, cognitive, emotional, behavioural.
Dr Ashok Bhan presented “The Magic of Music” which underlined the impact of music on the mental health and managing these issues of senior citizens. In his 20 minutes unique musical bonanza, nine most popular oldies of 1951 to 1965 and programmed in a package with one meaningful ‘antra’ of each one of these nine songs which he, along with his three companions- Nisar Ahmad, J L Sharma & Vijay Sambyal), made entire audience to collective sing with ‘karaoke’ (recorded background music of the songs).
Kuldeep Khoda, in his presidential address, advised senior citizens to avoid isolation and remain active in whatever manner they can easily do and that will change their emotional and psychological thinking. Talking about the soothing effect of old songs, he asked the elders to prefer listening to these songs rather than acrimonious evening TV debates for comfortable sleep which is essential for elders.
Earlier, the General Secretary K B Jandial welcomed the guests and apprised them about the history of celebrating Senior Citizen Day since 1991. The Vice President Dr Sudarshan Kumar presented the formal vote of thanks. V K Magotra conducted the proceedings.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
