Learn to use community resources to enhance self and family well-being. These resources include trauma services, ambulance support, old age homes, orphanages, and HelpAge India.
Table of Contents
Trauma Services
Trauma services help victims of road accidents by providing timely medical care.
Key Strategies in India
- Golden Hour Treatment: Quick medical care within the first hour after an accident.
- Ambulance Availability: Basic life support ambulances every 50 km on highways.
- Trauma Care Facilities: Upgraded hospitals every 100 km.
- Communication Network: Public access to trauma care through emergency calls.
- Training for Professionals: Doctors, nurses, and paramedics receive special trauma training.
- Injury Surveillance System: National database for injury and trauma tracking.
- Public Awareness: Promoting road safety and injury prevention.
Trauma System Design
- No victim should travel more than 50 km for care.
- A trauma center should be available every 100 km.
Levels of Trauma Care Facilities
- Level IV: Mobile hospitals/ambulances for first aid.
- Level III: District/Taluka hospitals (100–200 beds) for initial stabilization.
- Level II: Medical college hospitals (300–500 beds) for serious trauma cases.
- Level I: Advanced hospitals for complex injuries with specialist doctors.
Ambulance Services (Under National Health Mission)
- Dial 108: For critical care, trauma, and accident victims.
- Dial 102: For pregnant women (institutional delivery) and sick infants.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare manages the National Trauma Registry to track and improve trauma care services.
Old Age Homes
Old age homes provide shelter, medical care, and social support. They serve senior citizens without family support. They also accommodate those who choose not to live with relatives.
Key Features of Old Age Homes in India
- Found in states like Delhi, Kerala, Maharashtra, and West Bengal with good facilities.
- Equipped with medical care, ambulances, and nutritious meals.
- Operated by NGOs—some are free, while others charge a fee.
- Paid homes may include telephone, internet, and better amenities.
- Some function as daycare centers, offering social interaction.
- Residents share their experiences, reducing loneliness.
Help Age India
- Established in 1978, it is a leading charity for elderly care.
- Works for medical aid, poverty relief, and income support.
- Lists 484 old age homes across 16 cities on its website.
Tamaraikulam Elders Village (TEV) – Cuddalore
- Free stay for rural elderly (100 inmates).
- Self-sufficient: Residents manage livestock, fish ponds, vegetable plots, and rice fields.
- Handicraft Production: Makes toiletries, ropes, bags, and pickles for income.
- Healthcare facilities and active ageing programs.
- Celebrates festivals and social events.
Kalyan Ashram, Kolkata
- A two-story care home for elderly women in Chetla.
- Can accommodate 10 residents.
Other Services by Help Age India
- Mobile healthcare, cataract surgeries, physiotherapy, cancer care, health camps, and disaster relief.
Orphanages
Orphanages provide shelter, food, and care for children who have lost one or both parents.
Global Statistics
- Around 153 million children worldwide have lost at least one parent.
- 17.8 million have lost both parents.
Definition of Orphans
- Single Orphan: A child who has lost one parent.
- Double Orphan: A child who has lost both parents.
Causes of Child Separation from Parents
- Poverty and lack of basic needs.
- Child abuse (physical, emotional, or psychological).
- Neglect by parents.
- Diseases and disabilities.
- Disasters (floods, storms, etc.).
- Kidnapping or bad company.
Challenges in Orphanages
- Provide basic needs but may lack emotional care.
- Large numbers of children make individual attention difficult.
- Lack of family love, warmth, and emotional bonding.
Adoption
- Some orphans are legally adopted, and adoptive parents take full responsibility.
- Without proper care, some orphans may fall into antisocial activities and end up in remand homes.
Borstals
- A rehabilitation facility between a school and an adult prison.
- For boys above 16 years who misbehave or cannot be managed in certified schools.
- Provides training and reformation instead of punishment.
Remand Homes
- Aim to improve the mental and physical well-being of children in custody.
- Care provided by doctors, psychiatrists, and trained personnel.
- Children receive basic schooling, art & craft activities, and recreational opportunities.
Homes for Physically and Mentally Challenged Individuals
- Offer 24×7 care with both paid and free services.
- Day care centers allow parents/caregivers to bring individuals for training and support.
- Help individuals develop skills, education, and employment opportunities.
Key Activities in These Homes
- Screening of newborns for disabilities.
- Support services for parents of disabled children.
- Job-oriented training programs.
- Self-help group formation.
- Parent support groups (PSCs).
- Therapies provided:
- Physiotherapy
- Speech therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Hydrotherapy
- Medical care
National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD)
- Established: 2005 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- Services provided:
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational therapy
- Psychological intervention
- Special education
- Community outreach programs
Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY)
- A centrally sponsored housing scheme for rural poor.
- Provides free housing to those below the poverty line.
- Unit cost:
- ₹20,000 in plains
- ₹22,000 in hilly/difficult areas
- 3% of funds are reserved for housing disabled individuals.
Adhar
Adhar is an institution founded by parents of special children. The association began in 1990 as the “Association of Parents of Mentally Retarded Children.” It aims to support and empower children with special needs.
Activities at Adhar
Children receive vocational training based on their physical and mental abilities, including:
- Handicraft production: Chalk sticks, candles, paper bags, incense sticks (agarbatti), dusters, mats, and decorated earthen lamps (Diwali).
- Creative work: Wall hangings and other decorative items.
- Work schedule: 3:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The Banyan
The Banyan is a non-governmental organization (NGO) providing a continuum of care for people with mental illnesses. It operates mainly in Chennai and Maharashtra, offering rehabilitation, treatment, and community-based care for individuals affected by mental health disorders.
Karuna Home
Karuna Home is a rehabilitation and residential center for young individuals with physical and/or mental disabilities from Tibetan refugee families in India.
Key Features
- Located in South India, near Tibetan refugee settlements and major Tibetan monasteries.
- Provides care for residents from both South and North India.
- Supports individuals with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, polio, and other disabilities.
- Encourages community involvement and inclusion.
Home for Destitute
These homes provide shelter for individuals without family or social support. They offer food and care for individuals without family or social support, including men, women, children, and the elderly.
Objectives and Services
- Psychological support to boost confidence and self-esteem.
- Empowerment programs for sick, poor, and abandoned individuals.
- Basic needs: Shelter, food, clothing, and healthcare.
- Health and well-being: Focus on physical and mental health.
- Independent living support for daily activities.
- Family reunification when possible.
- Social, economic, and physical security for residents.
- Quality of life enhancement through skill-building and engagement activities.
COURSES