HelpAge India launches SOS app for senior citizens -Governance Now

HelpAge India launches SOS app for senior citizens

The app serves as a one-stop security measure for elders across the country

Geetanjali Minhas | June 15, 2016 | Mumbai

#senior citizens #SOS app #HelpAge India #elderly

With a rise in crime and abuse against the India's elderly, HelpAge India, a non-profit organisation for senior citizens, has launched a security app for elders. Called HelpAge SOS (save our seniors), the app serves as a one-stop security measure for elders across the country. The users can report any kind of abuse and accident on the app. The app connects the users to HelpAge local help lines.

The app also gives information regarding rights and entitlements, wills and legacies, health, and financial planning to the senior citizens. For seniors who are members of HelpAge AdvanTage Card, the SOS app provides real-time GPS-enabled information of retail outlets that provide discounts to them.

While launching the app, Rajkumar Badole, minister of social justice and special assistance, Maharashtra, said that the state council of senior citizens will help in implementation of state policy of older persons. He also mentioned that the age criterion of a senior citizen has been reduced from 65 years to 60.

Assuring safety of senior citizens, Pratap Dighavkar, additional commissioner of police, southern region, Mumbai, said that Mumbai police will provide round-the-clock security to senior citizens. He urged the elderly to register the names of their domestic help with the nearby police station.

Prakash Borgaonkar, director, HelpAge India, said, “The crime against senior citizens is increasing day by day. In emergency situations elderly people do not know whom to contact to get the required help/information. In such scenario HelpAge SOS app will be useful to them. This app is designed to help not just the victims of elder abuse but also enable others.”

The SOS free app can be downloaded from helpageindia.org or Google Play.

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