Across many old age homes in India, we meet elders who once worked hard, raised families, and contributed to society. But with age, poverty, or abandonment, they lose not just income — they lose their sense of purpose. The VridhCare Livelihood Program was created to change this.
Our aim is simple:
Help seniors use their skills, learn new abilities, and feel valuable again.
This program works closely with our partner old-age homes, our Healthcare Support, and our Rehabilitation Program to ensure seniors stay healthy enough to participate in meaningful daily activities.
Why We Started the Livelihood Program
Many elders in the homes we support still have skills, strength, and a desire to contribute. Some know how to sew or knit; others once farmed or handled simple office tasks. But without the right support or resources, those talents often lie unused. We saw this gap during our work and realised that supporting livelihood is not charity — it’s about restoring self worth.
What VridhCare Does in Livelihood Support
1. Skill-building with Respect
We offer training to elders based on what they can comfortably do — whether that’s handicrafts like knitting and sewing, or lighter tasks like packaging or small-scale gardening. Our training is not a rushed “job course”; it’s paced respectfully, keeping in mind each elder’s health and capacity.
2. Infrastructure Help for Homes
Partner old age homes may lack the right space, tools, or materials to run a small work unit. VridhCare steps in to provide essential infrastructure: sewing machines, work tables, craft materials, or simple farming tools. This helps transform a corner of the home into a place where elders can work without stress.
3. Meaningful Income Opportunities
We don’t just train — we connect. Through partnerships with corporate firms and charitable organisations, VridhCare helps elders find work that matches their skill sets. It could be handicrafts, simple office-related jobs, or assistance in community activities. This is real work, not just volunteer tasks — and it helps elders earn and feel relevant again.
4. Long-Term Partnerships
Our livelihood program is part of a bigger mission. It’s closely tied with our Healthcare Support and Rehabilitation Program. When elders are healthier and more confident, they can participate better in livelihood activities. This integrated model ensures that the work we offer is sustainable and meaningful.
Real Results & Impact
While we don’t always publish every individual journey, the impact is evident:
- Elders in our network report renewed energy and a sense of belonging when they engage in skilled tasks.
- Old age homes tell us that having a livelihood unit improves residents’ morale and brings a routine.
- Our partnerships with corporations make it possible for more elders to access paid or income-generating opportunities.
- By creating roles that suit older people’s pace and strength, we reduce dependency and build self-reliance.
This isn’t about making elders work nonstop — it’s about giving them respect, engagement, and a reason to smile each day.
Challenges We Face & How We Tackle Them
Running a livelihood program for elders is not easy.
- Some elders have limited mobility or health constraints, so not all kinds of work fit them.
- Older adults need patient, ongoing training — standard training models don’t always work.
- Not every old age home has space or resources to host a livelihood unit.
- Ensuring consistent work or materials (craft materials, tools) requires long-term planning and funding.
To address these, VridhCare works directly with homes to understand their capacity and tailors the support: training schedules, equipment provision, and local partnerships. We also seek CSR collaborations so that the work opportunities can be paid and meaningful.
Our Vision for the Future
We want to scale this work in a way that truly empowers:
- Expand livelihood units in more homes, especially in under-served areas.
- Broaden the types of work: more crafts, more gardening, and even simple digital or organisational tasks.
- Strengthen partnerships: bring in more companies who believe in “age-friendly work” and are willing to sponsor or buy elder-made products.
- Build a marketplace: enable elders to sell their crafts or products, giving them direct economic benefit.
- Track impact: set up systems to measure how livelihood activities improve self-confidence, health, and income for seniors.
This is not a side project — it’s central to our mission of providing dignity and purpose in later life.
How You Can Be Part of This Change
You don’t have to be a donor or a big organisation to help. Here’s how you can support the livelihood journey of elders:
- Sponsor materials for training or craft work.
- Provide work opportunities through your company, or partner with VridhCare for CSR.
- Volunteer as a trainer, mentor, or coordinator in an old age home.
- Help set up production spaces in homes – even a small room can become a work unit.
- Advocate: speak about the power of elder employment in your community, on social media, or in your network.
Your involvement directly helps elders lead a life with purpose, not just care.
How This Program Fits Into VridhCare’s Bigger Mission
When you look at our holistic approach, you’ll see why the Livelihood Program is essential:
- Healthcare Support: With better health, elders are more able to work and contribute.
- Rehabilitation: Our rehabilitation efforts restore physical and mental strength, making skill-building possible.
- Nutrition Program: Good nutrition fuels the energy needed for work and learning.
- Old Age Home Partnerships: We work through homes we support, turning living spaces into productive, purpose-filled environments.
Together, these programs create a dignified ecosystem — not just survival, but meaningful living.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any elder in our partner old age homes who expresses interest and is physically capable of doing light tasks.
Yes — whenever possible, we link elders to income opportunities through our corporate partners and NGOs.
Crafts (knitting, sewing), gardening or farming, and light administrative or sorting tasks.
It depends on the individual’s comfort and pace. We tailor training to each elder’s physical and cognitive ability.
You can reach out via our Volunteer page or support through CSR — email us or call to discuss ways to collaborate.
