Angels Of Pune: Vriddha Mitra Takes Elderly Care Beyond Hospitals And Old-Age Homes
Pune: For many older people, the hardest part of ageing is not always illness. It can be the loneliness that comes with living alone, the difficulty of reaching a hospital, managing paperwork or even finding someone who can simply sit and talk to them. It was this gap that SCHOOL (Society of Community Health Oriented Operational Links) began to notice while working with communities, eventually…
Pune: A prominent elderly-care initiative, Vriddha Mitra, is bringing care directly to older people in their homes and communities, addressing the gap of loneliness and difficulties they face. Founded in 2018 by the Society of Community Health Oriented Operational Links (SCHOOL), the program began as a response to the growing need for elderly care that was not limited to old-age homes and residential facilities.
The founders observed that many existing models centered around such institutions, but after listening to older people, they discovered that being displaced from their homes and communities caused distress.
Vriddha Mitra focuses on "ageing in place," allowing older people to remain in familiar surroundings while receiving care tailored to their individual needs. The programme works with vulnerable individuals aged 60 and above, including those living alone, bedridden, immobile, or with chronic illnesses or disabilities. While those without family support may receive assistance with daily tasks like feeding, hygiene, and dressing, those with family members may have visits focused on checking health conditions, ensuring medication adherence, and arranging tele-consultations.
For those who are mobile, the programme offers participation in community activities and awareness programmes.
In addition to healthcare services, Vriddha Mitra provides essential support such as ration, cooked meals, medicines, nutritional supplements, assistive devices, and diapers. The programme also assists with documents like Ayushman cards, pension paperwork, and referrals to higher hospitals. In 2023, SCHOOL expanded its network city-wide, inaugurating a city-wide expansion in Pune with the support of then Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais.
With a trained elderly-care workforce and the launch of a national toolkit, Vriddha Mitra continues to improve the quality of life for older people while helping them retain their dignity and independence.
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