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Helpage India Launches SOS App to Curb Elder Abuse

by Reshma Anand on Jun 16 2016 11:52 AM

Helpage India Launches SOS App to Curb Elder Abuse
India is facing a rise in elder abuse as many youngsters are abusing their parents both physically and emotionally. Though sexual assault has gained much wider recognition, elder abuse remains under covers because seniors don’t come out with their problems openly.
Thousands of older adults are suffering in silence and a survey by an NGO called “Helpage India” found that one in five adults are facing some abuse, with 98% of them not confronting it openly.

On the account of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, Helpage India has launched a mobile application for the safety of seniors in the country. The app named as “Helpage SOS”, stands for Save Our Seniors which can help elders in distress at any given time.

The app provides three services namely relaying the GPS position of the user to the nearest Helpage state office and connect them to its helpline available 24/7. Next, the app provides information on critical elder issues such as financial planning, writing wills, etc. Third, the app updates the users on the current market discounts, which the senior citizens can avail.

The app can be downloaded from www.helpageindia.org or the Google Play Store. Once downloaded, its features are available without internet connection.

“Help can come from any corner. Many good Samaritans want to help, but often don’t know how, the HelpAge SOS App is an answer to that. We hope that in case they see or hear an elder being abused. HelpAge will of course protect the identity of the caller in case they wish to remain anonymous,” said Mathew Cherian, CEO, HelpAge India.



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Source-Medindia


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