About NGO:

Helpage India is a leading humanitarian, development and campaign organization working with and for older people in India for more than 32 yrs. It advocates strongly for their cause and support & also runs age care programmes throughout the country to make lasting improvements in the lives of disadvantaged older persons. It strongly believes in the potential of the elderly and their undeniable contribution to society. It also advises & facilitates the government in formation of policy related to the elderly.

HelpAge India's project focus on Health - Mobile Medicare Unit, Cataract surgeries, Physiotherapy Unit, Livelihood security, Micro Credit, HelpLines, Old Age Homes / Day Care Centers, Disaster Relief, Awareness, Policy Advocacy, Older Person's empowerment are some primary areas of focus.

Fund Usage:

The slum areas in metros lack proper and organized Health Care Facilities for the poor older persons. The Government General Hospitals and other Health units of Government are not easily accessible to the poor and the impoverished due to the following reasons. Crowded Government Hospitals where Elders are not able to reach the service points. The poor health condition of elders, negligence of family members towards the aged, poor economic condition of elders led HelpAge India to provide health care facilities free of cost at the doorsteps to needy poor slum dwelling elders.

Forty -five per cent of the elderly have chronic diseases and disabilities. The most common diseases affecting the elders are hypertension, cataract, osteoarthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dementia heart disease, diabetes, benign prostatic hypertrophy, dyspepsia, constipation and depression. The five most frequent deaths in the elderly are bronchitis and pneumonia, dementia heart disease, stroke, cancer and tuberculosis.

Impact:

Sushila Tembulkar - is a 70 yr old lady. She lives in Amboli. At home she has her husband, son , daughter in law, and two grandchildren. Her husband is too old to work. Her son works as a security officer in a Mall earning Rs.4000 a month. She herself used to work as a cooking maid earning Rs.800/- a month. But due to pain in her spine and knee she had to leave work. Five years back she also went cataract surgery. Treatment was becoming expensive for her when her neighbors told her about HelpAge India's Mobile Medicare Van. She receives medicine for joint pain, pressure, calcium and vitamin. She said "today I can help my daughter in law in all house hold work, I also look after my grandchildren and at least my son doesn't have to take care of my medicines." She has been receiving treatment from HelpAge India foe 5 years now.

Page Url :
http://www.unitedwaymumbai.org/ngo128_helpage_india.htm

Founded Year: 1978

Cause category: Elderly