Within the next five years, India will top the list of being home to the largest number of senior citizens in the world (at the last count, this figure stood at 100 million). The challenges in addressing the needs of the aged are many, but not insurmountable; what’s required is a tactful, sensitive approach.
HelpAge India is an NGO that has been working since 1978 to guide and assist the elderly in matters of health, livelihood, legal affairs, and so forth. They help scores of senior citizens who, besides frail health, dwindling finances, and loneliness, have to deal with another widespread malaise – abuse and apathy. Indeed, it is a telling sign of our times that a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day has been established to bring attention to the suffering of the old within what should be a safe sanctuary – their homes.
This year, on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, HelpAge India launched a phone app called SOS, short for Save Our Seniors. The application which can be downloaded on a smartphone with the click of a button, uses a three-pronged strategy to help seniors.
The first is a SOS button which when pressed, relays the location of the user to the nearest HelpAge helpline available. The app is also powered to connect the elderly to the closest hospital, police station or old age home in case of an emergency.
The second button provides informative content pertaining to seniors on their rights, tips on health, financial planning, drafting a will, etc. Finally, a listing of retail outlets offering senior citizens discounted products and services, can be accessed through the third button.
Old people often feel that the odds are stacked overwhelmingly against them when it comes to reporting mistreatment. However, no emotional or physical abuse should go unreported, especially when it’s committed against the defenseless. Backed by technology, and supported by HelpAge India’s dedicated counselors, help is just a SOS call away.
You can find additional information on HelpAge India on their site and you can get in touch with them on Twitter and Facebook.
Featured image source: Networked India
Words by Pavi Sagar
