Elderly persons take a walk at Chedema in Kohima district. (Morung Photo | For representational purpose only)
Two rescued; 66 service requests raised
Our Correspondent
Kohima | April 5
Elderline Nagaland received a total of 318 calls during 2025, out of which 66 service requests were raised for resolving issues and grievances of senior citizens in the state, according to the Annual Administrative Report 2025-26 of the Social Welfare Department.
The report, tabled during the recent 8th session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) in Kohima, further stated that the Elderline Team rescued two elderly citizens and successfully placed them at Old Age Homes with the assistance of the Social Welfare Department.
Other service requests were related to assisting the elderly in procuring senior citizens cards and resolving Old Age Pension issues.
The health conditions of the elderly who reached out to Elderline Nagaland were mostly active and independent, the report stated. 80% of the elderly are independent whereas 16% are partially independent and 4% are fully dependent, the report stated.
As observed from January-December 2025 analysis, some of the more prevalent illnesses among the Elderly were Arthritis, Pressures, Diabetes and Hypertension. 12% of elderly were suffering from illness for a long period while 10% of the elderly were dependent on agriculture or dependent on Old Age Pension, the report stated.
Senior Citizens Helpline
Senior citizens helpline (Elderline Nagaland 14567) is part of National Helpline for Senior Citizens, set up by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), Government of India in collaboration with the National Institute of Social Defense (NISD) & the State Department of Social welfare.
The helpline aims to facilitate happy and healthy ageing by serving senior citizens with honour and compassion. The mission is to make a positive impact on the lives of the elderly by creating a reliable national platform for redressing grievances. The helpline provides necessary information and intervention through a collective of committed stakeholder partners, including government agencies, NGOs and volunteers.
The Elderline is mandated to facilitate four distinct services: information related to elder care services, old age homes, government schemes and benefits; guidance on legal and pension-related issues; emotional support offering counselling services, with referral to specialised partners if required; and direct field intervention for rescue and reunion of homeless elderly persons.
In Nagaland, the state helpline comprises a Connect Centre that is fully operational from Monday to Sunday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Activities of Elderline
Elderline Nagaland creates awareness about the Helpline by collaborating with various Stakeholders partners, conducting community meetings, Poster Campaign, Door to Door, Educational Institutes, Medical Camps and Resident Welfare Association meetings, the report stated.
The team also commemorates the International Day of Older Persons every year on October 1.
In addition, the Elderline Team participated in the ‘Walk4Dyslexia’ initiative in collaboration with the Department of School Education on October 25, 2025. The team also joined the culmination of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and the Commemoration of Human Rights Day, organised by Mission Shakti under the Social Welfare Department on December 10, 2025.
The report noted that Elderline Nagaland works closely with the Senior Citizen Association of Nagaland to update its upcoming programmes and activity reports, while also seeking their suggestions and guidance.
The Helpline holds quarterly consultative joint meetings with the nodal department Social Welfare to update on monthly and quarterly activities, reports and share upcoming target plans.
National Action Plan for Senior Citizens
The National Action Plan for Senior Citizens seeks to ensure a life of dignity for the elderly, focusing on awareness generation and attitudinal change amongst the people to enable senior citizens to lead active, protected and productive lives.
Funded by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the plan supports State Action Plans and NGOs under Sections 19 & 20 of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.
Separately, the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) funds NGOs as an implementing Agency for setting up of Homes to improve the quality of the Senior Citizens, especially indigent senior citizens by providing basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care and entertainment opportunities and by encouraging productive and active ageing.
The state currently has 11 such homes.
