In a significant move to improve the well-being of senior citizens in rural India, AIIMS Jhajjar has launched a digital portal — www.Sahaym.in. This innovative platform provides accessible healthcare resources, preventive tools, and mental wellness support tailored for the elderly.
Collaborative Effort to Bridge the Rural Health Gap
The Society for Rural Mental Health (SRMH) spearheaded this initiative in collaboration with the Health Department. It also partnered with the Department of Preventive Oncology at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Jhajjar. Together, they aim to address the unique health challenges faced by ageing populations in rural areas.
As per the Hindustan Times, the portal was officially introduced during a Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme titled “Comorbidity and Mental Health in Rural India.” The event took place at AIIMS Jhajjar and brought together more than 200 professionals — including mental health specialists, public health experts, and caregivers — for in-depth discussions on elderly care in rural communities.
Features Designed with Seniors in Mind
Dr. Rajiv Gupta, patron of SRMH, highlighted the collaborative nature of the project. He credited Aaravdeep Sindhu for playing a key role in its development. He stated, “Sahaym.in is an innovative step towards bridging the digital gap for our elderly population, providing them with accessible health information, mental wellness tools, and government welfare schemes at their fingertips.”
The portal offers a centralized hub for a wide array of services:
- Access to state and central welfare schemes
- Free digital health assessments are now available using the Geriatric Health Questionnaire (GeHQ). This tool, published in EC Neurology, helps detect early signs of memory loss or depression.
- Educational resources covering mental wellness, personal safety, and physical activity
User-Friendly Design for Senior Accessibility
To ensure ease of use, the portal features a simplified interface with large fonts and intuitive navigation. This makes it especially user-friendly for elderly individuals who may have limited experience with digital tools.