SCHOOL undertakes a three months course to create Vriddha Mitras (VMs), ‘friends of older people’, so that they learn everything about elderly people and the ways of extending care, support and services to the elderlies. 

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VMs are be extended guidance through interactive presentations, group discussions, role plays, and films.  

Training resources are based on: 
•    Modules of Integrated Care for Older People developed by WHO
•    Quality of life scales of WHO
•    Experiences and expertise derived from the field projects  

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Overall Aim

The overall aim is to orient the VMs towards the special characteristics of older people, and appropriate approaches to address the latter’s challenges and problems. This enables the Vriddha Mitra to respond to older people more effectively and with greater sensitivity. 

The course contributes towards building national and regional capacity on the health, welfare and development of older people significantly.

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Course Objectives

The course has been designed in a comprehensive manner to provide a holistic approach to human resource development with a focus on providing social care to older people. 
The course is expected to improve the approach to issues of old age and act as a stimulant for holistic care, which will ultimately improve the quality of life for older people. 

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The objectives include both knowledge enhancement as well as skills development.

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Knowledge-based objectives

By the end of the course, VMs are able to:
•    Describe important symptoms, characteristics and challenges of older people
•    Explain the need to screen, assess and refer older people to the right specialist, where needed.

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Skill-based objectives

By the end of the course, VMs are able to:
•    Communicate effectively with older people.
•    Understand the needs of older people and address those through specific care, support and services

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Expected outcomes

It is expected that VMs who participate in the course:
•    become more knowledgeable about the characteristics of older people, and of different
aspects of older people’s challenges;
•    become more sensitive to the needs of older people;
•    be better equipped with facts and figures to argue for increased investment in older people’s
health and development;
•    be better able to provide services that respond to the needs of older people, and are
sensitive to their preferences;
•    have prepared a personal plan indicating the changes they will make in their work and the improvement they will make in the quality of life for the elderlies
In practical terms, the course provides ideas to participants and imparts practical tips for two key questions:

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•    What do I, as a social-care provider, need to know and do differently, if an older person needs support in their own homes?
•    How could I help other influential people in my community, to understand and respond better to the needs and problems of older people?