World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) 2024

#PoochhaHaiKabhi – HelpAge India’s Campaign for an Inclusive Eldercare Ecosystem

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This year to mark ‘World Elder Abuse Awareness Day’, HelpAge India’s theme is ‘Creating an Inclusive Eldercare Ecosystem: Catalysing Partnerships’, which focusses on the inclusion of older persons across all spheres whether it be healthcare, economic independence, digital literacy, decision making, etc. What roles do various stakeholders play in ensuring elders live an empowered good quality of life, whether it be the private sector, government, community, institutions or family?

Our focus is on – what do elders want? When was the last time they were asked what they need to lead a healthy, happy & dignified life? Their voices & choices?

Therefore, this year’s WEAAD 2024 campaign is #PoochhaHaiKabhi (#HaveYouEverAsked) - a question for you and for each one of us.

Do you spend enough time with your grandparents and ask them how are THEY feeling? When was the last time you asked your elders if they wanted to learn something new? Do you take the time to sit with elders in your family, to listen to them and to teach them patiently? Have you asked them if they are lonely or if they would like to be more included?

It’s time for us to create an elder inclusive environment. Every one of us can make a difference

Ageing in India: Exploring Preparedness & Response to Care Challenges.

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Siyaram Ram, 62 years

A farmer from Bhagwanpur village, Supaul district, Bihar, was finding it difficult to go to work everyday, as his vision started blurring. Unable to work in the paddy fields anymore. The fear of losing his only means to livelihood was looming before him. After months of struggling with his eyesight, there was a ray of hope when he heard about an eye screening camp being conducted by HelpAge India. Today new glasses stay constantly perched on his nose and happy Siyaram is back to work and back to life again.

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Vision Restoration, An initiative by HelpAge India

Veeravalli Nageswaramma, 88 years

Vangayagudem, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, has two sons and a daughter, yet no one to look after her. Living in abject poverty, her own children are unable to support her. With the meager pension she gets, she barely has anything left to sustain herself after paying her basic monthly rent of Rs. 300. Left alone, with no one to reach out to, her good Samaritan neighbors called the HelpAge Elder Helpline. The Helpline team immediately got into action and found a home for Veeravalli, where she has now found a safe haven and lives life without fear.

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Elder Helpline, An initiative by HelpAge India

Mr. Shailesh Kumar, 60+ years

A teacher by profession in a private school, he was hit hard by the lockdown. Ever since the number of positive cases of Covid 19 started to rise in the country, schools, colleges and universities were shut down and the education system froze. His family consisting of five other members were all dependent on him, including his sick parents, his wife and children. “We’re surviving on what we have saved so far, but now that is almost over and we are almost about to starve!” –said Kumar. Devastated, he called HelpAge India’s Elder Helpline number (1800-180-1253) and requested for ration, a Survival Kit for himself & his family, so they could have the basic essentials to survive.

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HelpAge runs a Toll-free Elder Helpline across 21 state capitals in India

Kothandaraman, 66 years

Used to work in Cuddalore district and suddenly lost vision in both of his eyes. During that time, all of his friends abandoned him. Didn’t even had money for food, shelter or medical treatment. With everybody gone, he decided to commit suicide. After being admitted to one of our old age homes, he got a new family and even went through eye surgery which restored his vision. In his own words:

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“It’s a new birth, it’s a new life. I am not an ordinary man anymore. I feel very happy now”