The Senior Citizen Care (SCC) project offers an innovative approach to enhance the well-being of Nepal’s elderly population in coordination with Nagarpalika/Gaopalika. Central to this initiative is the involvement of Female Health Community Volunteers (FCHVs). The project aims to integrate FCHVs into a structured elderly care framework. The issues of elderly population by conducting a survey of all old age people (over 65 years) living in Lo Manthang Gaopalika, Upper Mustang, Nepal.
A field survey with collaborative efforts between Kalasha Foundation, Switzerland and NIRI, in Lo Manthang Rural Municipality, Mustang will assess the frailty and disability levels among seniors. Specialized senior citizen care training modules will be introduced to FCHVs , ensuring the project’s cost-effective implementation. The project is led by a healthcare specialist who will provide the training also. By optimizing available resources, this innovative strategy ensures that senior citizens receive personalized, timely, and effective care – by developing a culturally appropriate, feasible intervention together with FCHVs and Gaopalika stakeholders.
Funding Support: Kalasha Foundation, Switzerland
Principal Investigator: Tulasi Acharya, PhD
Coinvestigators: Dr. Puspa Mani Kharal, Dr. Puspa Raj Pant, Dr. Hem Raj Dhakal, Dr. Serena Hartmann, Mr. Suraj Parajuli
Research Assistants: TBC
Status: Ongoing
- Jan 2025 : Formal Collaborative Agreement with Kalasha Foundation
- Feb 2025 : Obtained an approval from Lomantgang Rural Municipality, Mustang and Prepared Research Instruments
- Mar 2025 : Obtained an approval from Nepal Health Research Council
- Mar 2025 : Stakeholder Meeting with Lomanthang Rural Municipality and Pretesting of Questionnaires
- Apr 2025 : Obtained an approval from Social Welfare Council (SWC) and Recruitment and Selection of Research Assistants