The United Nations sustainable development goal aims to promote health and wellbeing across all ages, however, focus on elderly populations is hugely limited. The number of elderly in India is expected to be 340 million by 2050. Annual growth rate of the 60+ population is projected to be around 3% by 2050 and shows an increasing trend thereafter. In contrast, growth rate of the younger age group is expected to show a decreasing trend from 2050 to fall below 3%.
Longevity, urbanizations, lack of support structures, lack of trained caregivers will pose huge challenge in elderly care in the coming years unless we build and strengthen support systems now. Although longevity has increased, ageing related biological changes such as deterioration in vision/ hearing and reduced mobility have led to increased dependence on others for activities of daily living. Changing family structures and limited social support networks further lead to social isolation, emotional neglect and loneliness making the elderly vulnerable to mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.
We believe it is important to create awareness and essential to develop systems for early detection and diagnosis of age related disorders such as neurological and vascular diseases which are the most common cause of disability in older age. Resources to identify, diagnose and manage care of the elderly are grossly inadequate resulting in huge burden of care. Awareness of the risk factors is important so that the elderly are able to take preventive measures for a better life style.
It is to bridge this gap we setup Samvedna Senior Care in the year 2013. Our initiatives are focused on promoting better physical as well as emotional health of the elderly across socio economic classes. Our work focuses in the areas of Active ageing and Dementia Care.
Active Ageing
The quality of life and happiness of older people depends greatly on their ability to maintain autonomy and independence which may become challenging with the changing pace of life and as people age. Our active aging programs aim to improve awareness about elderly health issues, empower elderly to use technology and remain socially active individuals.
Through our active ageing programs which have been conducted at our senior centre in Gurgaon and in collaboration with resident welfare associations, governments and other NGOs, we have touched the lives of over 3000 elderly in Delhi, NCR. From our experience we know that accessibility is a challenge for the elderly and we actively seek support to develop senior centres and expand our reach.
Dementia Care
Majority of the 110 million elderly in India are vulnerable to dementia and estimates suggest that the number of elderly with dementia may double from 4.4 million in 2015 to a staggering 7.6 million by 2030. We recognize the need to build greater public health awareness about dementia and requirement for early screening and diagnosis. We also understand that people living with dementia require quality and compassionate care, whilst dementia carers need active support to be able to provide continued care. Our aim is to address these gaps through public awareness drives and by providing support services to facilitate better care of people living with dementia.
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We have been really inspired by the work of Samvedna and the vision of Archana, keep up the great work and continue to touch the lives of older people in India. Lots of love
– Avnish Goyal and Anita Goyal, (Hemraj Goyal Foundation)
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What an amazing story you are all creating here, filling a need and bringing joy and meaning. You should be very proud. Keep growing and going
– Emma Cochrane (ExxonMobil)
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...For a long time I was trying to find a place like this (Samvedna), where I can meet people going through the same experience as myself and at the same time meet experts in this area... A very good initiative.. I hope to continue my association with this place and…. Make my mother’s life much better..
- Mr Ibrahim Ahmad (Participant - Dementia Support Group, Samvedna)
