A first-of-its-kind connect centre – Govt. of Telangana and Tata Trusts’ Elder Spring Response System - to guide, assist and counsel Senior Citizens of Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Thursday, August 8, 2019: Tata Trusts, through Vijayavahini Charitable Foundation (VCF), in partnership with the Department of Senior Citizens, Government of Telangana, today announced the establishment of a first–of-its-kind connect centre for senior citizens of Hyderabad - the Elder Spring Response System. Being progressively operationalised since April 2019, the connect centre is accessible through a toll-free number - 14567 - and provides information, guidance, and emotional support to the senior citizens in the city. So far, over 1060 individuals in Hyderabad have received services of this unique platform.

Tata Trusts, through its programme, Elder Spring, has conceptualised the design and processes of the Response System including a connect centre team which enables call acceptance and service delivery processes; on-field team to reach out to those who need assistance. The Response System is being implemented by Vijayavahini Charitable Foundation (VCF), with support from Tata Trusts, Government of Telangana, Police Department, Department of Health, District Administration, Legal Services Authority and other civil society organisations. These partners bring in their core expertise to seamlessly drive service delivery through the Elder Spring platform.

After a call has been registered on the Response System’s toll-free number - 14567, based on the needs, solutions are offered along with follow up calls, to ensure that the caller has received the due service. The first set of services that have been rolled out include a) conversing with the elderly and counselling them; b) providing information pertaining to elderly care; c) rescuing abandoned elderly; d) supporting victims of abuse. The connect centre also provides specific information pertaining to activity centres, care givers, old age homes, products for the elderly, etc.

The connect centre is operational only for residents of Hyderabad between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., 7 days a week.

Shri M. Jagadeeshwar, IAS, Principal Secretary to Government of Telangana, Department for Women, Children, Disabled and Senior Citizens, said, “At the outset, I would like to congratulate Tata Trusts for launching The Elder Spring Response System service in Hyderabad designed to collectively recognise and address the needs of the elderly. I am also sure this service is going to help the senior citizens in the best possible way to take care of them – both emotionally and physically – at a time when it is required the most. Interventions like these will have a long term impact in ensuring a robust ecosystem for all senior citizens.”

The Response System is being implemented currently in Hyderabad City, GHMC area, basis an MoU between the Government of Telangana’s Department of Senior Citizens and Vijayavahini Charitable Foundation (VCF), supported by Tata Trusts.

Ms. Sugandhi Baliga, Head – Geriatrics, Tata Trusts, said, “With a growing percentage of senior citizens in the country, it is important to develop means to address their needs effectively. The Trusts’ Elder Spring Response System was designed with a vision to improve the quality of life of the elderly. We are thankful to the Government of Telangana, the police department, and all our partners for collectively working towards a common goal, and making this vision their own.”

Mr. Abhishek Poduri, Zonal Head – South, Tata Trusts and Director, Vijayavahini Charitable Foundation (VCF), said, “Tata Trusts aims to play a transformational role in the geriatric care segment by focusing on critical gap areas and creating an empathetic ecosystem. The goal is to improve the quality of life of elderly people through caregiving, decreasing their dependency, and creating a forum for social interactions and economic activities.”