Elderline Nagaland received 318 calls during 2025, resulting in 66 formal service requests and the rescue of two elderly individuals who were subsequently placed in old age homes, according to the Social Welfare Department’s Annual Administrative Report 2025–26, tabled during the 8th session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly in Kohima. The figure highlights the helpline’s role in addressing grievances and immediate needs of senior citizens across the state.
Many of the service requests involved help with obtaining senior citizen identity cards and resolving issues related to the Old Age Pension. The report says the Elderline team coordinated with the Social Welfare Department to secure placements for the two rescued elders and manage other field interventions when required.
Overall health assessments of callers showed most were active and independent: 80% classified as independent, 16% as partially independent and 4% as fully dependent. The report’s January–December 2025 analysis identified arthritis, “pressures”, diabetes and hypertension among the more prevalent complaints. It also noted that 12% of elderly callers suffered from a long-term illness, while about 10% relied on agriculture or the Old Age Pension for subsistence.
Elderline Nagaland (senior citizens helpline 14567) operates as part of the National Helpline for Senior Citizens, an initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in collaboration with the National Institute of Social Defence and the State Department of Social Welfare. The helpline’s mandate covers four main services: information on elder care services, old age homes and government schemes; guidance on legal and pension matters; emotional support and counselling with referrals to specialised partners; and direct field intervention for rescue and reunion of homeless elders. The state Connect Centre is operational daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
To raise awareness and reach vulnerable groups, Elderline Nagaland conducts community meetings, poster campaigns, door-to-door outreach, sessions in educational institutes, medical camps and engagements with residents’ associations. The team marks the International Day of Older Persons each October 1 and took part in initiatives such as the Walk4Dyslexia on October 25, 2025, and the culmination of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and Human Rights Day events organised by Mission Shakti on December 10, 2025.
The report also states that Elderline works closely with the Senior Citizen Association of Nagaland for programme planning and feedback, and holds quarterly consultative meetings with the Social Welfare nodal department to review monthly and quarterly activities and set upcoming targets. Nationally, the National Action Plan for Senior Citizens-funded by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment-supports state action plans and NGOs under Sections 19 and 20 of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. The Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens funds NGOs to establish homes for indigent elders; Nagaland currently has 11 such homes.
Original Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/over-300-calls-received-by-elderline-nagaland-in-2025
Category: Morung Exclusive , Nagaland
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Publish Date: 2026-04-05 23:16:00
