Netaji Yuva Kendra runs a Toll-free Elder Helpline across Prakasam District in India offering assistance to elders in need. The services offered are – rescue of abandoned elders, counselling of those in distress, health care, legal support, information related to services available etc. The Helpline links elders to various institutions such as old age homes, hospitals, police, government and non-governmental organisations.
The nature of cases handled by the Helpline are as follows :
- Loneliness and how to cope with it
- Negotiation in disputes within the family and outside
- Elder abuse and ways to resolve them
- Writing of Will and making it a legally valid document
- Elders’ inability to move around in a city in search of treatment and doctors
- Total feeling of insecurity, doubt, fear and helplessness and not having anyone else to depend on
- Information on old age homes, medical devices, attendant / maid agencies, etc.
Distress calls from elders seeking assistance are handled by a qualified social worker. Everyday the Helplines receives 5-10 calls of elders who are being abused, harassed, neglected, or denied their rights or looking out for trusted information.
Volunteers trained in basic counselling are sent to the senior citizen’s residence on a fact-finding mission. Thereafter, appropriate assistance is provided to the aggrieved caller. At times specific assistance are required for an effective and speedy redressal of grievances. Dignity has a panel of experts in each of the 5 cities to address these issues. The experts include lawyers, psychologist