United Way of Baroda (UWB) has been running the Gold Card Scheme Project – a Unique program to provide specific benefits and assistance to the senior citizens of Vadodara since last two decades and help them live a dignified life.
Ageing in India is exponentially increasing due to the impressive gains that society has made in terms of increased life expectancy. With the rise in elderly population, the demand for holistic care tends to grow. The major problems faced by the elderlies are changing family structure, lack of social support, lack of availability-accessibility and affordability of health care, and economic dependency.
The project aims at helping the senior citizens for health and doorstep household services. The bill payments, plumbing solutions, electronic appliances repair such as T.V., A.C., laptops and recreational activities are provided under the program to the registered senior citizens. Sugar and blood pressure check-ups are conducted periodically along with the facility of full body check-ups in a multi-speciality hospital once in a year. These services are provided on monthly basis and are counselled on much needed time durations.
The Gold Card Scheme takes extra care and efforts to ensure that every registered member gets maximum benefits of the services. The Gold Card Scheme gives immense relief to the elderly from daily hassles and helps them lead a stress-free and happy life.
In addition to the services, the senior citizens are also supported whenever required. Annual event is organized to provide a platform to Gold card members to share their stories and views.
Every year 600-700 senior citizens gets registered under this project. UWB has provided more than 5000+ services in this pandemic situation also.
Various webinars on wellbeing, Yoga, medical knowledge was organized which was shared by eminent cardiologist Dr. Darshan Banker, diabetologist- endocrinologist
Dr. Mona Shah, and Orth paediatrician Dr. Mrugank Merchant and many more. Digital training is also imparted on regular basis by UWB Team.
Under Covid-19 situation UWB also supported the 150 senior citizens with regular food meals, family ration kits and Medical and Hygiene kits along with physiotherapy instruments. Along with daily tasks support also motivated them to live their life stress free and cheerful.
Mayur Khokhani, Gold Card Member No-888 quoted that, “I am senior citizen Gold Card member of UWB since more than 15 years. I got introduced to UWB during an exhibition stall of Federation event. I found it to be a novel and noble attempt to be helpful to senior citizens. It gives a feeling to us to be socially active. Plumber, electrician, AC repair services etc., are a big relief. UWB staff are courteous and ever helpful. I sincerely thank UWB for all innovative proposals from time to time. Their inclination to use newer techniques is indeed praiseworthy. I associated myself with normal membership, gold but now platinum membership. I always desired if I can be helpful to UWB in my humble way, I wish them well.’’
Mrugen Mehta, Gold Card Member No-0899 while conveying his gratitude quoted that, “I am fully contented and satisfied with Gold Card services particularly electrician service. All the field service and back office staff members of United way of Baroda are very prompt, courteous, helpful, and serviceable. Kudos to them. I convey my deep sense of gratitude to UWB and his whole team for their selfless services to senior citizens of society like me.
