Overview

HelpAge India conducts awareness programs for elders' rights and entitlements of various government schemes. It has played an important role in formulation of The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, which makes it a legal obligation for children and heirs to provide maintenance to senior citizens and parents. The foundation spreads awareness about elders' rights and existing laws protecting them against abuse. It is participating in the Pension Parishad movement securing pension for underprivileged elders.

In order to empower senior citizens and make them feel that they are useful contributors to society, the foundation has launched AdvantageAge programs providing them opportunities to get engaged in various activities such as counseling in financial, legal, medical and career matters. They also have an opportunity to provide tuition and guidance to disadvantaged children. They can conduct workshops on developing skill sets such as candle making, fabric painting etc. Senior citizens living on limited or fixed income, get Advantage card offering discounts on various products.

HelpAge India conducts awareness sessions on digital literacy, old-age pension, financial planning, reverse mortgage, wills and legacies etc. The foundation has programs like SAVE and HUG to inculcate values of love, care and respect for elderly in school going children and youth. These programs aim to create warmth and affection towards elders.

HelpAge India has Mobile Healthcare program serving interior parts of urban slums and villages. Its mobile unit has a doctor, a pharmacist and a social worker. People get their individual patient cards with records of their treatments. It conducts free health check-ups and health camps on various diseases. Free cataract surgeries, physiotherapy and cancer treatments are provided with the help of local organizations.

HelpAge India has created Elder-Self-Help-Groups where elders are actively involved in income generating activities. 'Support a gran' is a program, which allows people to provide financial support along with monthly ration to needy elderly people.

HelpAge India's disaster management team provides relief with food and shelter to the affected people. The team also provides required medical help to elders.

HelpAge India has many shelter homes for elders who are destitute, sick and abandoned by their families. The organization has a toll-free helpline which offers services like counseling, rescue, legal support, health care etc.