Objective: The provision of solutions and relevant information to the general public and mostly to young people is the way forward to help the elderly cope with movement disorders. The close family members and friends of the people suffering from movement disorders can be able to help and advise those elderly suffering from the disorders. Their help will, no doubt, assist the elderly in leading a peaceful and enjoyable life in spite of the movement disorders. Helpline Mauritius service set up by Halley Movement, which is a registered NGO in Mauritius is assisting young people and the population at large to take care of those that have been affected by Movement Disorders.

Background: Movement Disorders is taking an important place in the life of the Elderly. Halley Movement, www.halleymovement.org, conducted a research study with the Elderly population and looked into ways to empower them to become active in life. Some of the causes of non acceptance of the elderly to become engaged in contemporary activities were the movement disorders. We have started a free online counselling service whereby young people and the population are made aware of the disorders and the way forward with close relatives that are affected by these disorders. Helpline Mauritius, the free online counselling service is assisting people with counselling and providing a platform to discuss these disorders.

Methods: Young people and the population seeking for counselling/ advice related to Movement Disorders channel their request to Helpline Mauritius. This is a free online counselling service where each user can have access to a trained counsellor who provides advice on various topics. They have access to the service through live chat, email and using a short code telephone number. Users are instantly provided with related information through live chat and phone call and email responses are due within two days.

Results: A lot of queries are registered daily and the service tries to respond to them as quickly as possible. Statistics show that a vast majority of the population seek to have counselling through this safe mode. As the service, operated by the NGO is a free one, more and more users are registered nowadays.

Conclusions: Helping the elderly population with Movement Disorders by using the web service is very helpful. At the same time, the younger generation is getting prepared through professional information to deal with those that are dear to them and who are facing such situations. This service is extended to the islands of the Indian Ocean region as well. Replication of this way of assisting people suffering from Movement Disorders is encouraged.

References: Halley Movement, www.halleymovement.org. Internet Child Safety Foundation, www.icsfonline.org. Defence for Children – Mauritius, dcimauritius.org.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/educating-movement-disorders-through-a-web-based-counselling-service-in-mauritius/