Caring for the elderly destitute

Secunderabad: To provide proper medical treatment and also to improve the quality of life of the elderly destitutes, a city-based NGO, 'Happy Old Age Home,' takes abandoned elderly and injured into its fold.

Speaking to The Hans India, Dr Srinivasulu, founder of the NGO, said, "I started this non-profit organisation in 2013 at Trimulgherry and I wanted to provide proper treatment and shelter to the elderly. As there are many aged people, due to lack of financial support they do not get proper treatment and also I have come across many who lost their life." He further said: "Whenever we see any elderly destitute sitting on footpaths or abandoned, our volunteers bring them to the center."

Speaking of recent incidents, Dr Sharadha, member of the NGO, said that last month they rescued an old woman, 65-year-old Laxmi, who was lying on the roadside in a shivering state. "We immediately brought her to our home. She was suffering from viral fever. Now, we are taking care of her."

Last week they rescued an injured old woman, named Uma Devi and aged 70 years. She was unable to walk and right now she is under their proper care. There are two general physicians, three paramedical staff, a lab technician who take care of the patients over here. Till date, they have catered to over 100 abandoned, old, sick and elderly. At present, they are more than 40 elderly who are provided accommodation and care.

The NGO is run by crowdfunding. Interested people provide needed items that are required to take care of the elderly. Apart from this service, the NGO organises various awareness camps in government schools, added Srinivasulu.