The elderly are treasures of societies, but many of them are fighting sickness alone worldwide, and the pandemic has worsened this situation. Many older people living without assistance cannot independently obtain medicine due to their health conditions. HelpAge International is an organisation with the mission of improving the well-being of older population globally. In India, even before the pandemic, HelpAge India has been giving older people reliable at-home medical care, using mobile health units set up in vans to provide medical services, such as consultations and medicines.

Because an older age is correlated with a higher risk for severe COVID-19 symptoms, many elderly have become even more isolated. HelpAge International in India — HelpAge India — continues to visit the elderly at home and provide them with healthcare services and medicines using their mobile healthcare units. Furthermore, counselors from a newly established toll-free helpline provide answers to pandemic-related questions about health and safety.

The imposed lockdown due to COVID-19 in India has motivated many people to move to rural areas. To minimize disease transmission to new regions due to the migration, HelpAge India partners with corporate organisations in distributing health protection kits. However, these actions face significant challenges caused by pandemic-related restrictions.

To learn more about HelpAge International, donate, or volunteer visit: https://www.helpage.org/ 

Discover more about HelpAge India at: https://www.helpage.org/newsroom/covid19-older-peoples-stories/ritu-rana-helpage-india/