HelpAge India launches security app for elders

To provide a one-stop security platform for elderly persons across the country, HelpAge India launched an app on 14 June, 2016 that will connect the users to local police, hospitals or old-age homes in case of emergency.

The 'HelpAge SOS' app was launched in Haryana by state's Director General of Police, KP Singh, at Panchkula, a Haryana government release said here.

The SOS stands for 'Save Our Seniors'. The app will connect the users to the HelpAge local helplines across India, it said. "One SOS call made through the app will directly be answered by the HelpAge helpline staff/ counsellor. Its 24x7 functionality aims at helping elders in distress at any given time. In case of emergencies, it connects them with the local police, hospital or old age homes if need be," the release said.

The app is at present functional only on Android phones, but HelpAge is working on making it functional on other operating systems as well, it added.