14567 Toll-Free Helpline For Elderly Operational In 17 States

New Delhi: With an aim to address the problems of elders regarding various issues, the Ministry of Social Justice started state wise call centres in major states under the Elder Line project.

Elder Line, India’s first Pan-India toll-free helpline 14567, provides free information and guidance on pension issues, legal issues, extends emotional support, and even intervenes on field in cases of abuse, and rescues homeless elderly. The facility is already operational in 17 states.

‘Elder Line’ intends to provide all senior citizens, or their well-wishers, with one platform across the country to connect and share their concerns, get information and guidance on problems that they face on a day-to-day basis, without having to struggle for it.

The call centre assumes importance considering that India is expected to have nearly 20% elderly population (over 300 million) senior citizens by 2050.

Elder Line is a culmination of the initiative of Tata Trusts, India’s oldest philanthropy, took through its partner, Vijayavahini Charitable Foundation, in 2017, in collaboration with the Government of Telangana in Hyderabad, to help the elderlies in the city.