{{Short description|Indian organization}} {{Multiple issues| {{primary sources|date=August 2018}} {{promotional|date=June 2022}} }} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}} {{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}} {{Infobox organization | name = HelpAge India | logo = Helpage india.jpg | type = 12A, 80G | founded = 1978 | founder = Mr. Jackson Cole, Samson Daniel | location = C-14 Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi-110016, India | region_served = India | focus = Helping the Elderly | method = | website = {{URL|http://www.helpageindia.org/}} }}

'''HelpAge India''' is an Indian organization focused on the issues affecting older people and provides programs related to their welfare. Established in 1978,<ref name="HelpAge Reference2">{{cite news |title=HelpAge: First Indian NGO to bag UN award |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/helpage-first-indian-ngo-to-bag-un-award-182569 |access-date=2 March 2021 |publisher=Tribuneindia News Service |date=11 December 2020 |language=en}}</ref> it serves disadvantaged older people through programs supporting their well-being.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.helpageindia.org/our-work.html |title=Charity for Old People - Elderly Home and Health Care Services in India &#124; HelpAge India |access-date=3 November 2012 |archive-date=14 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114140217/http://www.helpageindia.org/our-work.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-downtown/helpage-india-to-conduct-health-camp-today/article6204923.ece | title= Helpage India to conduct health camp today| newspaper= The Hindu| date= 13 July 2014}} The Hindu, 13 July 2014. Retrieved on 1 July 2015</ref>

==History==

HelpAge India began in the late 1960s when a Speaker of the Lok Sabha visited a counterpart in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, who was also honorary secretary of Help the Aged. He came back with plans to setup something similar in India.{{cn|date=March 2026}}

In March 1974, when Jackson Cole, founder of HelpAge International visited India, Samson Daniel, a philanthropist, approached him for financial help to set up a member organization in Delhi. Cole instead offered training in fundraising. After a three-month training course in London, Daniel and his wife returned to India and organized a sponsored walk with schoolchildren in Delhi. In1975, HelpAge International recruited more staff to cover Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta.{{cn|date=March 2026}}

HelpAge India is one of the founding members of HelpAge International,<ref>[http://www.helpage.org/tags/india/ Helpage]</ref> having 97 member countries representing the cause of the elderly at the United Nations. It is closely associated with Help the Aged, UK<ref>http://www.prweek.com/uk/news/208415/Help-Aged-launches-campaign-Indias-poor/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> and has received a recognition from the United Nations for "Dedicated service in support of the United Nations Programme on Ageing".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.helpage.org/who-we-are/our-history/|title = Our history}}</ref> HelpAge India is also a full member of the International Federation on Ageing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.helpageindia.org/faqs.html|title = Contact Helpage India- Helpline Number 1800-180-1253|date = 16 June 2017}}</ref>

In April 1978, HelpAge India was registered in Delhi. Within three months it became autonomous as financial support ceased from the UK. Soon after, in July, the society was awarded Certificates of Exemption under Sections 12A and 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.helpageindia.org/about-us/history.html|title = About Us|date = 16 June 2017}}</ref>

In 2020, HelpAge India received the UN Population Award for the care of elderly disadvantaged persons and senior citizens, a first for an NGO institution in India, in recognition of its work on population issues and efforts in the realization of rights of older persons in India since its inception.<ref name="HelpAge Reference1">{{cite news |title=HelpAge India first Indian institution to get UN Population award |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/helpage-india-first-indian-institution-to-get-un-population-award-7101223/ |access-date=2 March 2021 |publisher=The Indian Express |date=11 December 2020 |language=en}}</ref> ==Programs== HelpAge India runs various programs serving the disadvantaged elderly:<ref name="HelpAge Reference4" />

'''Mobile Healthcare Units (MHU):<ref name="HelpAge Reference4">{{cite news |title=HelpAge India becomes the first Indian NGO to receive the 2020 UN Population Award |url=https://orissadiary.com/helpage-india-becomes-the-first-indian-ngo-to-receive-the-2020-un-population-award/ |access-date=3 March 2021 |work=Odisha Diary |publisher=orissadiary.com |date=11 December 2020}}</ref>''' This program provides healthcare to elders and their communities. The core of the program is a sponsored Mobile Healthcare Unit (MHU). This Unit provides primary healthcare to older persons in need, while also educating the community on preventive healthcare. Each MHU has a doctor, pharmacist and, social worker. There are more than 159 Mobile Healthcare Units working in 24 states, providing 2.9 million free treatments. They usually employ retired medical practitioners.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-05-31 |title=Govt doctors' retirement age extended to 65 years |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/govt-doctors-retirement-age-extended-to-65-years/story-1knFFcq2kLRtWIJTQZgV5L.html |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> The organization also supports self-reliance among elder people through the formation of Elder-Self-Help-Groups in rural India which supports 95,584 older persons through 7415 Elder-Self-Help Groups in 16 States.<ref name="HelpAge Reference4" />

'''Restoration of Vision:<ref name="HelpAge Reference4" />''' In India 62% elderly suffer from cataract blindness. Selected eye hospitals carry out surgeries with HelpAge India's support-a-Gran ration program which provides Homecare support to bedridden patients. All surgeries are performed only in base hospitals and not in makeshift camps. Since 1980, this program has benefitted more than 9 lakh elders, restoring their sight & dignity.

'''Cancer and Palliative Care:''' Cancer treatment in India can be costly and a majority of elders are not covered by any form of medical insurance. HelpAge India provides palliative care to end-stage cancer patients, in partnership with various cancer hospitals and organizations. Over 99,000 treatments have been supported since 1998.{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}}

'''Geriatric Physiotherapy:''' Under this program, elders with musculoskeletal diseases such as back pain, arthritis, paralysis, and other age-related mobility challenges are treated. The aim is to improve elder mobility levels and support daily living. The services are provided through stationary physiotherapy clinics and mobile services, to elders living in remote communities and homes for the aged.{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}}

'''Student Action for Value Education (SAVE):<ref name="HelpAge Reference4" />''' HelpAge works with schools across the country to promote awareness among students for respect towards the elderly. The organization also runs a school advocacy program focused on treating elders with love, care, and respect.

'''Digital Literacy for Elders:<ref name="HelpAge Reference4" />''' HelpAge has started an easy 'Digital Literacy' program introducing elders to digital tools through Digital Literacy workshops. Partner institutions, organizations, and volunteers are encouraged to conduct basic tutorials for elders.

==Awards and recognition== Madan Mohan Sabharwal, former President Emeritus of HelpAge India is a recipient of the Order of the British Empire (1998) and Padma Shri (2008).<ref name="Madan Mohan Sabharwal on Bloomberg">{{cite web | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=30583194&privcapId=26505741 | title=Madan Mohan Sabharwal on Bloomberg | publisher=Bloomberg | date=2016 | access-date=29 January 2016}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{Indian non-profit}} {{Authority control}}

Category:Organisations based in Delhi Category:Non-profit organisations based in India Category:Organizations established in 1978 Category:Charities for the elderly Category:Old age in India Category:1978 establishments in Delhi