Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 14: In the midst of rising crime and abuse against the India’s elderly, the leading charity organization, working for senior citizens- HelpAge India, launched today a security App for elders.
The ‘HelpAge SOS’ App, as it is called, was launched at CPO Complex, Panjtirthi Jammu, by Inspector General of Police Danish Rana while HelpAge India staff including Sunita Santoshi, incharge HelpAge India Jammu, Neeru Sharma, Senior Executive and Parshotam Kumar Helpline Councilor HelpAge India were also present.
SOS stands for ‘Save Our Seniors’ and the App serves as a one stop security measure for elders nationally, connecting them to the HelpAge Local Helpline across India. One SOS call made to the App will be directly answered by the HelpAge helpline staff/ counselor. Its 24×7 functionality aims at helping elders in distress at any given time. In case of emergencies, it connects them with the local police, hospital or old age homes if need be. The App currently is functional only on Android Smart Phones, HelpAge is working on making it functional on other operating systems as well.
“Help cam come from any corner. Many good Smaritans want to help, but don’t know how, the HelpAge SOS App is an answer to that. The App is meant not just for the elders but also for society in general, especially the younger generation. Last year, HelpAge had surveyed youngsters to understand this perception about Elder Abuse and whether they would step-in to help. Nationally, nearly 60% youth were willing to take direct action if they came across a case of elder abuse. We hope that in case they hear or see an elder being abused, HelpAge will of course protect the identity of the caller in case they wish to remain anonymous”, says Mathew Cherian, CEO HelpAge India.
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