Care with Dignity for the Elderly
Why Elderly People Care?
India is witnessing a rapid increase in both the number and proportion of elderly people (aged 60 years and above), driven by declining fertility rates and rising life expectancy, which now exceeds 70 years. Currently, elderly individuals constitute approximately 10% of the population (around 104 million), and this figure is projected to rise to 19.5% by 2050.
According to The Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) 2021 report by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, 75% of older adults live with one or more chronic conditions. Additionally, one in three elderly individuals reports depressive symptoms, while 32% experience low levels of life satisfaction. Nearly 70% of the elderly population depends on others for their daily activities and maintenance.
At present, senior care services are predominantly limited to facility-based medical care, with insufficient attention given to home-based care, nutrition support, and mental health services.
RTU provides:
- Identification of vulnerable elderly individuals, particularly those who are abandoned, living alone, or separated from their families
- Provision of nutritious lunch and dinner daily
- Encouragement and guidance for family members to provide age-appropriate, home-based care
- Delivery of healthcare services through our clinic, including home-based medical support and supply of medicines as required
- Ensuring the dignity, safety, and well-being of elderly individuals
- Promotion of companionship through community volunteers and family members
- Referral to specialized healthcare providers when necessary
- Provision of counselling support to address mental health concerns among the elderly
- Raising community awareness on the rights of elderly individuals and available government schemes
- Provision of weekly financial assistance to support basic needs
- Distribution Dhoties and Sarees to the elderly people during Deepavali festival
Key Outcomes:
- Improved health and nutritional status among elderly individuals
- Strengthened community-based institutions, including Gram Panchayats, to ensure that elderly people live healthy and dignified lives
- Availability of community spaces that promote recreation and social engagement for elderly individuals
Transformation Story:
Mr. Murugandi (name changed), a 70-year-old resident of Old Batlagundu, lost his wife in 2023. During her lifetime, she had been supported through RTU’s old-age assistance program. Following her passing, Mr. Murugandi was left to face life alone, without children or a reliable source of income. Age-related health challenges have made it impossible for him to work, and despite his efforts, he has been unable to access government-supported old-age benefits.
Recognizing his vulnerability, RTU stepped in to provide weekly financial assistance of INR 250. This modest but vital support enables him to meet his basic daily needs, including food and essential expenses.For Mr. Murugandi, this assistance is more than financial support—it is a lifeline that restores dignity, offers a sense of security, and reassures him that he is not alone. He expresses his heartfelt gratitude to RTU and its generous donors, whose compassion continues to make a meaningful difference in his life.