A meeting was held in Namobuddha Municipality on February 9, 2025, under the chairmanship of Mayor Kunsang Lama to discuss findings from a research study on the care and support needs of older people. The meeting was attended by municipal officials, ward representatives, and female community health volunteers.

Associate Professor Bharat Kafle presented the study, conducted across all 11 wards by Nepal Public Health Management Consultancy Pvt. Ltd. and Ageing Nepal under the JICA Partnership Programme (JPP). Ageing Nepal, in collaboration with Nayoro Social Welfare Foundation, is implementing the project.

The research revealed that over 50% of older people in the municipality are malnourished and more are at risk of malnutrition. Loneliness, migration, and mental health challenges were also identified as critical issues. While most older people live with their families, none of their caregivers had received geriatric care training, leading to dissatisfaction with the quality of care.

Key recommendations included regular health check-ups, geriatric care training, awareness programs, and intergenerational activities to enhance older people’s well-being.

Following the presentation, the Mayor, Chief Administrative Officer, and ward representatives commended Ageing Nepal for the study and committed to implementing several recommendations. Given the increasing number of older people living alone due to youth migration, the Mayor pledged to establish an old age home. Future plans also include creating profiles of older residents, mobilizing health workers for home-based care, and establishing a Senior Citizens Network at the ward and municipal levels.