The ‘Longitudinal Ageing Study in India’ (LASI) estimates that 7.4% of Indians aged 60 and above live with dementia, equating to approximately 8.8 million individuals. Projections suggest, this number could nearly double to 16.9 million by 2036, driven by the rapid growth of the elderly population. 41.7% of older adults reported depressive symptoms. Mental Well-being of the elderly, is therefore a real and growing concern.

Limited number of trained health workers, stigmatization and lack of adequate knowledge about how to identify and deal with mental health issues, have also severely impacted the care delivery system. Early identification and timely intervention are therefore key in improving the overall psychological well-being of the elderly.

HelpAge India’s project ‘Saarthak’ (meaning worthwhile or purposeful) aims to address this issue among India’s elderly, focusing on those that are disadvantaged and destitute, living in old age homes. It aims to achieve this, through a community-driven approach by providing comprehensive mental health education and screenings for elderly and build the capacity of caregivers and frontline health workers, so they can look out for early signs of depression, anxiety or dementia, and also help establish sustainable referral pathways.

It also hopes to create a positive, active and engaging environment, to help elderly improve their mental health through activities such as Yoga Therapy, Stress Management and Group Activities, as regular mental & physical activity helps improves blood flow to the brain and supports brain health.