Hyderabad launches Senior Saathi to foster companionship between youth and aged

The Hyderabad district administration has launched ‘Senior Saathi’ programme, a first-of-its-kind companionship initiative in Telangana geared toward strengthening inter-generational bonds and bettering the emotional well-being of older adults.

The programme has been designed towards the backdrop of fast social change, the place shifting household buildings and migration have left many aged individuals with fewer alternatives for normal social interplay. Surveys point out that 13.4% of seniors steadily expertise loneliness and signs linked to despair, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s and dementia. Factors corresponding to widowhood, solitary dwelling and restricted social circles typically worsen this sense of isolation, stated a launch.

The initiative is being launched by the Department for Senior Citizen Welfare in collaboration with Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) which have sizable aged populations and Hyderabad-based NGO Youngistaan Foundation, which is able to prepare and on-board youth volunteers as ‘Saathis’. These volunteers will bear background verification and psychometric assessments to make sure emotional stability and reliability earlier than working with seniors. 

RWAs will determine older adults who could profit from companionship and assist pair them with appropriate volunteers primarily based on location, language and shared pursuits. Once matched, the elder and volunteer will meet repeatedly throughout weekends at group areas such because the Senior Saathi Club or different mutually handy places.