Elderly care is a looming crisis that has not been part of mainstream discussions until quite recently. The need for availability, access and affordability of standardized senior living facilities is being felt as the elderly population in India grows.
This case study sheds light on SHEOWS Old Age Home- an organization that has undertaken the critical task of rescuing and providing sanctuary to the abandoned, destitute, and homeless elderly populace across Delhi NCR and Uttar Pradesh. Founded by Dr. G.P. Bhagat in 2003, SHEOWS has been offering medical care, comfortable accommodation, and nutritious meals to its residents, free of charge. Registered under the Society Registration Act of 1860 and the Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Act of 1976, SHEOWS has spent the last two decades extending a lifeline to the marginalised elderly. They run three fully equipped facilities and plan to open their fourth in Gurgaon along with a research centre for geriatrics.
Read the full story to understand a compassionate yet effective approach to elderly care:
SHEOWS epitomises a pioneering endeavour in elderly care. It has crafted a holistic approach, providing a secure environment, medical assistance, and nutritious meals to the elderly residents. Their work transcends mere provision- it addresses the pervasive issues of loneliness and isolation commonly experienced by elderly individuals living alone. Through the concerted efforts of trained professionals, a nurturing environment is fostered, enabling social interaction, cognitive engagement, and emotional support for the elderly beneficiaries.
Problem Statement
Many of the elderly residents experience mental and physical health problems like dementia, Alzheimer's, psychiatric issues, paralysis, and fractures. Another significant issue is the neglect of senior citizens. Dr. G.P. Bhagat surveyed Delhi NCR and discovered numerous individuals near temples and public spaces who had been abandoned by their families. This problem has grown considerably, with newspapers reporting daily instances of individuals deserting their parents. This issue is increasing regularly and presents a significant obstacle for the nation. Not only in the field of geriatrics but also in paramedical and caregiving roles, the accessibility to professional help is inadequate.
Solution Framework
Elderly individuals who are rescued by SHEOWS are provided housing at the senior living facilities operated by the organisation. The SHEOWS teams manage three fully equipped and functional old age homes in the Delhi NCR area and Uttar Pradesh. These facilities provide the necessary amenities for the elderly's daily needs and 24*7 trained staff are available to help them with all their needs.
The old age homes provide critical and intensive medical care to all the residents in need. The residence is also equipped with medical professionals who provide 24/7 care for the elderly. The Special Care Unit provides the elderly with both intensive medical attention and a sense of peace knowing they are well cared for while living in the old age home. The Special Care Unit consists of 40 beds, each equipped with modern medical tools and well-trained staff to assist with elderly requirements.
The facilities also have a pathology lab, physiotherapy, x-ray lab, in-house pharmacy, care for dementia, palliative/geriatric care, escalator and wheelchair assistance, 24*7 ambulance services, etc. to serve the healthcare needs of the senior residents.
Implementation Strategy:
SHEOWS ensures the highest level of care and support for its residents. Here's a glimpse into their implementation strategy:
- Needs Assessment and Planning: They begin by conducting comprehensive needs assessments to understand the specific requirements of elderly residents, including medical, social, and emotional needs. Based on these assessments, they develop individualized care plans to cater to each resident's unique needs and preferences.
- Infrastructure Development: Their old age homes in Delhi NCR and Uttar Pradesh serve as the cornerstone of their initiative. These facilities are meticulously designed to provide a safe, comfortable, and conducive environment for elderly residents. They ensure that their infrastructure meets the highest standards of safety, accessibility, and functionality.
- Resource Allocation: SHEOWS allocates resources strategically to ensure optimal care and support for their elderly residents. This includes staffing their facilities with trained professionals, including medical staff, caregivers, and support staff, to provide round-the-clock assistance and care. Additionally, they invest in essential medical equipment, facilities maintenance, and other resources to meet the diverse needs of our residents.
- Stakeholder Engagement: They recognize the importance of engaging stakeholders, including corporate partners, NGOs, and the local community. They foster collaborative partnerships to leverage resources, expertise, and support to enhance their impact. Regular communication and feedback mechanisms ensure that stakeholders remain engaged and informed throughout the implementation process.
- Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation: SHEOWS implements robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track their progress and impact continually. This includes regular assessments of resident well-being, satisfaction surveys, and feedback mechanisms to identify areas for improvement and optimization. Continuous monitoring allows them to adapt and refine strategies to ensure the highest quality of care and support.
Measuring Success
The success of the work being done by SHEOWS can be gauged through both quantitative metrics and qualitative outcomes.
Quantitatively, their impact is evident in the increased number of elderly individuals who have found refuge and care in their senior living facilities. Among the beneficiaries who enter their care, approximately 5% to 8% peacefully pass away due to natural causes, while around 10% are eventually reunited with their families. The vast majority, constituting approximately 80% of the individuals, choose to stay with SHEOWS.
Qualitatively, their success is reflected in the improved well-being and quality of life experienced by their residents. By addressing the challenges of loneliness, isolation, and neglect, they have created a supportive environment where residents can thrive socially, emotionally, and physically. Their comprehensive approach, which includes individualized care plans, social engagement activities, and access to essential healthcare services, has resulted in positive outcomes for our residents, enhancing their sense of dignity, comfort, and security in their golden years.
Furthermore, the positive feedback and testimonials from residents, families, and stakeholders underscore the significant work being done by them. The stories of transformation and gratitude shared by elderly residents serve as powerful indicators of the meaningful impact of their collaborative efforts.
Challenges and Overcoming Them
- Healthcare Needs: Addressing the complex healthcare needs of elderly residents, including conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer's, and paralysis was a major challenge. Ensuring access to critical medical care and specialized services required meticulous planning and resource allocation. To overcome this challenge, they invested in the development of fully equipped old age homes with specialized medical units staffed with trained professionals. This strategic infrastructure development enabled us to provide intensive medical attention and support to residents with complex health conditions, ensuring their well-being and peace of mind.
- Neglect and Abandonment of Elderly: Dr. G.P. Bhagat's survey revealed distressing instances of elderly individuals being abandoned near temples and public spaces, highlighting the urgent need for intervention. Through collaborative efforts with corporate partners, they initiated community outreach programs to raise awareness about elder neglect and promote social responsibility. These initiatives fostered a culture of compassion and solidarity, encouraging individuals and organizations to take action to support elderly residents in need.
- Catering to Growing Needs: Navigating the evolving landscape of senior care and responding to the diverse needs of residents required adaptability and innovation. Continuous monitoring and evaluation helped SHEOWS identify areas for improvement and refine their strategies to better serve their community. By engaging stakeholders, including corporate partners, NGOs, and the local community, they leveraged collective expertise and resources to overcome challenges and amplify our impact.
In essence, their journey to provide comprehensive care and support to elderly residents has been characterized by collaboration, resilience, and a shared commitment to dignity and compassion. Despite the challenges encountered along the way, their partnership with corporate entities and community stakeholders has enabled them to create a supportive environment where elderly individuals can live with dignity, comfort, and security.
Scalability and Replication
The collaborative initiative between SHEOWS and corporate partners represents a pioneering model for addressing the complex needs of elderly residents. With a focus on compassionate care, innovative solutions, and collaborative partnerships, their initiative has the potential for significant scalability and replication in diverse contexts.
The success of SHEOWS lies in its holistic approach, which combines comprehensive needs assessment, infrastructure development, resource allocation, stakeholder engagement, and continuous monitoring and evaluation.
One key aspect of scalability is the infrastructure development of fully equipped old age homes with specialized medical units. These facilities provide intensive medical attention and support for residents with complex health conditions. This infrastructure model can be replicated in other regions to meet the growing demand for senior care facilities across India.
Furthermore, their community outreach programs have raised awareness about elder neglect and promoted social responsibility, fostering a culture of compassion and solidarity. These initiatives can be replicated in partnership with other corporate entities and community stakeholders to address the prevalent issue of elder neglect in various regions.
Their collaborative approach to stakeholder engagement has facilitated the sharing of best practices, lessons learned, and innovative solutions. By documenting and disseminating experiences, organisations can empower other entities to replicate their model and adapt it to their unique contexts and challenges.
Partnerships
The symbiotic relationship between SHEOWS and its corporate partners underscores the significance of collaborative partnerships in achieving shared CSR objectives. Their collaborations with SBI Card, HCLFoundation, Sony, MetLife, ZS, etc. have been instrumental in strengthening their mission.
Companies like Accenture, Deloitte, HFCL, HCLFoundation, SBI Card, ZS, Motherson, and others have helped SHEOWS celebrate special days like Diwali, Christmas, Independence Day, International Day of Older Persons, and International Volunteer Day. They’ve also shown off the talents of their residents by selling items made by them at stalls in places like SBI Card, HCL, SunLife, MetLife, Pearl, and Pioneer. These efforts were not just about raising money but also making more people aware of the challenges older people face in India.
Apart from celebrations, SHEOWS has done lots of activities in collaboration with these companies to ensure the physical and emotional wellbeing of their residents.
Recognition and Awards
SHEOWS has been felicitated and recognised by several prominent organizations across the country. Some of the notable recognition and awards include:
- SBI Foundation got the BT-CSR excellence award for their CSR Project with SHEOWS
- Mahatma Award for Social Good for Elderly Care was presented to Mr. Saurabh Bhagat, Director of SHEOWS
- Mahatma Gandhi Intergenerational Empowerment Award 2015 by Union Home Minister Honorable Shri Rajnath Singh to Dr. G. P. Bhagat, General Secretary of SHEOWS
- Delhi NGOs in Healthcare Leadership Award by Zee Business
- Purvanchali Pratibha Summan Award 2011
- World Geriatrics Care Award 2009
Conclusion and Way Forward
SHEOWS Old Age Home provides comfortable living space for senior citizens who are unable to look after themselves or need help with their daily activities. They offer a range of services, including medical care, nutritious food, and recreational activities. These activities include yoga, meditation, indoor games, guest visits, intergenerational meet-ups, and cultural events. 24*7 Medical care and attention with trained and experienced staff members inculcate a feeling of belongingness and affection among the senior residents. SHEOWS is further planning to launch a geriatric research center and an old age home in Gurgaon to expand its presence. The research is centered on using alternative medicine to prevent and treat dementia.
