Nightingales Medical Trust

Sandhya Suraksha, a collaborative project between Methodist Church of India BRC and Nightingales Medical Trust (NMT), serves as a safe haven for Homeless Elderly Women, regardless of caste, creed, or religion. With over 70 beds, this senior-friendly residence offers a range of services, including nutritious meals, medical assistance, palliative care, rehabilitation programs, and skill development initiatives such as kitchen gardening, paper bag and candle making, and tailoring.

Sandhya Kirana Home offers secure accommodation and support for Homeless Elderly Men, irrespective of caste, creed, or religion. With a capacity of 25 beds, this senior-friendly residence provides essential services including nutritious meals, medical assistance, palliative care, rehabilitation programs, and skill development activities such as paper bag and candle making.

Established in 2011, Nightingales Jobs 60+ is an initiative by Nightingales Empowerment Foundation (NEF) aiming to empower healthy and employable retired elders. The program facilitates their re-entry into the job market or supports their venture into self-employment, enabling them to achieve financial independence.

Nightingales Medical Trust (NMT) introduced India Elder Connect, an inclusive website tailored for the elderly in India. This platform serves as a space for elders to connect, engage in discussions, share insights, seek guidance, and foster interactive communities, encouraging them to remain active and engaged. Additionally, the website offers resources to aid families and caregivers in comprehending and fulfilling the caregiving requirements of senior citizens. Serving as a central information hub on elder care services and effective strategies, the website enables caregivers to access support from qualified professionals during challenging times.

At a Memory Clinic, the patient will undergo an initial assessment to evaluate their existing memory concerns. This assessment involves a series of tests designed to assess their memory retention and ability to recall information, providing an initial understanding of their cognitive abilities.
Nightingales Medical Trust operates Memory Clinics across several locations, staffed with trained psychiatrists and psychologists who specialize in evaluating individuals with memory-related issues.

Nightingales Medical Trust has set up Day Care Centers for the Elderly and Individuals with Dementia at multiple sites in Bangalore and Hyderabad. These facilities are designed to cater to the activities of daily living and psychological requirements of individuals with dementia in a secure, elder-friendly environment, managed by skilled mental health experts.

NMT's Residential Dementia Care centres are tailored made for individuals with dementia. The team specializes in ensuring a seamless and stress-free transition to residential care.

Respite Care, a temporary institutional care option for the elderly, is available upon request. Its main purpose is to offer family caregivers a break from their caregiving responsibilities. Additionally, it serves as a holiday care service, ensuring the well-being of the elderly when family members are away for work or vacation.

The Mobile Active Ageing initiative, inspired by the ThinkingFit research conducted in the UK, presents a comprehensive program delivered by experts who visit Old Age Homes. This program is designed to enhance physical, mental, and social well-being through a scientifically formulated protocol. Its aims include reducing dementia risk, managing hypertension, diabetes, and depression, and preventing falls.
The Mobile Active Ageing unit is equipped with a fully-furnished vehicle, staffed by trained professionals, and furnished with all necessary tools and equipment required for conducting planned activities.
Currently operational in over 10 Old Age Homes in Bangalore, this program has garnered positive reception and significantly improved the quality of life for the residents of these facilities.

Amidst the Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, numerous Senior Citizens have been confined to their homes, impacting their usual healthy routines. Acknowledging this challenge, Nightingales Medical Trust has revamped the Active Ageing program to be available entirely online. The program now includes physical and cognitive sessions encompassing a variety of engaging and inventive activities, allowing elders to interact socially through games and other interactive sessions.

Sandhya Kirana, a collaborative initiative of Nightingales Medical Trust with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (City Corporation), aims to rehabilitate economically challenged elders.
This day care centre caters to elderly individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds, primarily focusing on facilitating their income generation and ensuring a life of dignity with access to adequate healthcare. Notably, the centre fosters strong emotional bonds among the elders who participate.
Currently located at Shanthigar, Nightingales Sandhya Kirana accommodates over 50 elderly individuals on a daily basis. Additionally, the center operates a Geriatric clinic, providing essential medical care to the underprivileged.
All services rendered at this center are offered free of cost.

The Elders Helpline 1090, a collaborative effort between the Bangalore City Police and Nightingales Medical Trust, has been operational in Bangalore since 2002, aimed at addressing elder abuse issues.
This helpline aligns with Nightingales Medical Trust's mission of ensuring dignity and security for all elders by combating harassment and abuse. With an average of 40 calls handled daily since its establishment, Helpline 1090 serves as a vital resource.
Elders have the option to contact Helpline 1090 or visit the Helpline office for assistance in addressing various forms of abuse. The dedicated team, consisting of social workers, counsellors, volunteers, legal experts, and police personnel, is proficient in handling reported cases with sensitivity and discretion. Elders contacting the helpline can expect emotional support throughout the intervention process.

The Elderline - Karnataka, an initiative acknowledging Nightingales Medical Trust's efforts in addressing Elder Abuse through the Elders Helpline 1090 in Bangalore, has been selected by the Government of India, under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the National Institute of Social Defence. This selection entrusts Nightingales Medical Trust to manage the Karnataka branch of the National Helpline for Senior Citizens.
Operated through a technologically equipped central office housing a 10-seater call center, the helpline functions via the toll-free number 14567. Furthermore, regional officers stationed across various districts of Karnataka handle issues at the grassroots level, ensuring that seniors enjoy a life of dignity, devoid of abuse.

The incidence of dementia tends to rise with age. By the age of 65, approximately 1 in 20 individuals are affected, increasing to 1 in 5 by the age of 85.
Consequently, clinical and medical care services are likely to allocate more resources to cater to individuals with dementia, many of whom have intricate needs. However, with a better understanding of treatment and care strategies, there exists significant potential to enhance the quality of life for those affected. Training plays a pivotal role in dementia services.
The Training Department at NMT provides comprehensive training on dementia care and various aspects of mental health in old age, targeting the following groups:
• Health and social care professionals
• Managers and staff working in care homes
• Family members
The training programs amalgamate theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on experience.

NMT offers a comprehensive program in basic geriatric care, imparting skills in holistic elderly care. This course equips individuals to address health and psychological concerns, providing hands-on experience at NMT's elder care facility. The curriculum integrates an equal blend of theoretical concepts and practical training sessions.
Moreover, the course emphasizes managing individuals with chronic illnesses and severe medical conditions. Upon completion, participants should be proficient in bedside assistance for the increasing number of elderly individuals requiring care. Additionally, they will possess the skills to create employment opportunities by providing such essential services.

Nightingales Lifesaving Services (NLS) was established with the goal of raising awareness about Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and building a community of trained individuals capable of saving lives during emergencies.
Highlights of the programme:
• 3.5-hour Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training
• 4-hour training covering Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) usage
• 3.5-hour First Aid training
• 1-hour training for Dental students in Intravenous (IV) and Intramuscular (IM) techniques