Every year, June 15 marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. It was initiated by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) in 2006 and recognized as a United Nations Day by the General Assembly in its resolution A/RES/66/127 adopted in 2011.
WHO’s survey states that 1 in 6 people over 60 suffer from abuse. The total count stands to a whopping number of 141 million victims worldwide. The count can be much more, as such abuses often remain hidden.
What does one exactly mean by abuse?
“We think abuse is a sign of torture or violence against someone. However, it can also be negligence related to the care and emotional needs of the elderly. Family members must acknowledge it. Being there for the elders is paramount for their physical and mental safety. That is where the curbing of abuse begins,” affirms Rahul Mishra, Founder of Vesta Elder Care, while talking to LifeBeyondNumbers.
He is one of the pioneers of starting an entire facility dedicated to complete healthcare for the aged population – Vesta Elder Care.
“It originated from a personal pain point. There was a time when I could not be physically present to take care of my elderly mother. It appeared as an eye-opener about the lack of elder care services in India, unlike in western countries. It edified me to start Vesta Elder Care, where caregivers are trained to look after older adults.“
Rahul clarifies that this facility isn’t a care home where one would leave their parents. But it offers required services at one’s doorsteps to keep the elderly members close to the family and give them the care they deserve in their loved one’s presence.
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Through this elderly-care facility, Rahul has been observing the changing equation in relationships and challenges springing up due to the busy lifestyle of millennials and the younger generation.
“It is mainly about the dilemma of devoting time and effort to dedicating resources to the elderly. Families wish to provide the best care and comfort to the elderly, but often, due to their professional lives and busy schedule, they can’t cater to their requirements.“
One can’t deny that aged family members are susceptible to several health issues. Not every family is medically advanced to understand the severity of risks of diseases, and tending to these health needs isn’t feasible for many. Often it leads to frustration between the family and the older adults, observes Rahul.
He ensured his facility must have a strong team of healthcare professionals. It includes some of the industry’s best physiotherapists, dieticians, and physicians. It has an extensive set of operating procedures. It also provides specialist training to the elder care companions to understand and cater to the needs of the elderly. Regular tests assess whether the caregivers comply with the emotional requirements of the elderly through constant behavioral training and periodic inspections.
Vesta’s services are not limited to only one form of care. Under its umbrella of home-based elder care services, it provides physical consultation and examination, physiotherapy, dieticians, home ICUs, etc. The Vesta customer care team is available around the clock and ensures prompt services. The clinical team is also well equipped to deal with patients in emergencies.
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Thus, Rahul counts round-the-clock dedication, prompt response, holistic caregiving, and technologically backed operations as the USPs of Vesta.
“Going forward with the technology and advancements of the world, we are launching an app that will revolutionize the home health care industry by providing seamless services at a single click.”
Vesta’s vision is to provide ease of operations to families with elderly citizens. It is challenging to accurately understand the needs of aging patients. To improve its services, it has constantly been taking technological intervention. The founder shares that the Indian healthcare industry is continuously evolving. And the future looks promising.
“We are being able to serve the people from across Delhi/NCR. Punjab is our recent addition. It is the evidence of overwhelming support Vesta has received. Consistent appreciation and encouragement have strengthened our morale towards serving people from all strata of the society in a better way.“
The initial funding and progress of the company were via its own resources. Vesta received external funding in November 2021 from a UK-based investor. Now, the team is laying the foundation for future growth. The expansion plan of Vesta Elder Care is driven by innovation. It believes that growing while serving is its fundamental mantra to step up.
“We aim to transform people’s lives through a technology-aided healthcare platform. The aim is to bring the younger and elderly members of a family into a shared space enriched with love and empathy.”