Healthcare for the abandoned, destitute and homeless elderly

As per Census 2011, the number of indigent elders in India of Indigent elderly destitute who are homeless or deserted by the families) is 18 lacs (0.18 Crore) and growing. With COVID-19 pandemic maximizing the risk to elderly lives across the world, there is desperate need for the society to focus on the indigent elderly of the society. With the COVID-19 pandemic worsening the risk to the lives of these elderly, we at SHEOWS are trying to save maximum lives by conducting rescue of such elderly who are homeless, abandoned, homeless and a victim of elderly abuse and abandonment.

At the same time, out of every 10 elderly couples in India, more than 6 are forced by their children (source link - https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2009/07/old-age-problems-india/)  to leave their homes leaving a large number of elderlies abandoned on the streets. SHEOWS for the last 18 years is working on the cause of saving the elderly who are dying on the roadsides, footpaths etc. as presently there are no old age homes for paralytic, disabled and bedridden elderly who provide comprehensive support to them under one roof.

SHEOWS aims to conduct rescue operations across Delhi/NCR and rural areas of Uttar Pradesh and provide them with not only the basic facilities like food, shelter, clothing but also comprehensive medical care facilities like -

• General Health Check-ups
• Availability of a neurologist
• Facility of an SCU (equipped with multiparameter monitors, oxygen concentrators, bi-pap machine, etc.)
• 24X7 nurses
• Caregiver facility (as all the residents of the old age home are either fully/partially dependent)
• Physiotherapy
• Pathological testing
• SOS treatment
• X-ray facility
• In-house pharmacy

The impact that we wish to create is to save maximum indigent elderly lives. Provide social security and basic amenities along with comprehensive medical care facilities to the once abandoned and homeless elderly (all free of cost).

The project will enable reduction in mortality rate of such population and enable an improved quality of life and dignity to the indigent elderly population. The project will provide medical care benefits to those who once lived without food, shelter and clothing. It will improve the physical and mental health of the abandoned elderly rescued by SHEOWS.

The most at-risk population amidst the COVID-19 population will be served and saved through this project that is elderly who are sixty years and above, without food/clothing/shelter, co-morbid and a victim of elderly abuse and abandonment.