Homes for the Aged - HelpAge India

Interpersonal communication identifies the needy among India's ageing population. They are gathered and placed in community homes where they receive the person-to-person contact providing them with friendship, activity and medical care.

Ageing, Health, Nutrition, Population

HelpAge homes provide the security, care and love India's ageing population so desperately needs. Although nursing care is one of the most important services offered at the homes, income-generating make-work projects can serve to build self-esteem and dignity among the aged. In the home of Karunalayam, Cochin, "HelpAge India assisted in boring a tube-well, to be utilized for developing a vegetable garden and starting other agricultural activities. This helped to create a sustainable source of income for the home and improve the nutritional status of the residents". Many of the home's members are supported by HelpAge India's "Adopt-a-Gran" programme where individuals from the community donate money for the care of their new family member. Almost half of the nearly 1000 old age homes in India are supported by HelpAge India. In addition to homes for the elderly, many Day Care Centres have been established for "productive ageing". A broad range of facilities are offered creating opportunities for friendship, recreation & health-care including income-generating projects to boost self-esteem & independence.