If you see an elderly person living on the street: what to do

Almost everyone in Mysuru has, at some point, walked or driven past an elderly person sleeping rough, or sitting alone at a bus stand with nowhere to go. Most people feel a pull to do something, and then are not sure what that something is. Here is what actually helps.

First, check that they are safe in the moment

You do not need any special skill for this. If it is safe to approach, a few simple questions tell you a great deal:

• Are they able to speak and respond, even slowly?
• Do they seem injured, unwell, or badly dehydrated?
• Do they have any family or address they can tell you?

If they seem seriously unwell or unresponsive, the nearest hospital or a police station is the fastest route to emergency care. For everything else, a phone call to us is usually the right next step.

Call us, even if you are not sure it is "serious enough"

We would always rather receive a call about someone who turns out to be fine than never hear about someone who needed us. Tell us:

• Roughly where you saw them, and any landmark nearby.
• Whether they seemed able to walk, or needed help moving.
• Anything they told you about themselves, even a first name.

You do not need to stay with them for hours. A clear description and a location are usually enough for our team to follow up.

What happens after you call

Our team goes out to assess the person directly. If they are willing and it is appropriate, we bring them in the same day, arrange any medical attention they need, and begin the slow work of settling them into safe, regular care.

We do not ask for money, documents, or proof before we act. The only thing we ask of you is accurate information about where to find them.

If you cannot reach us immediately

Please do not walk away and assume someone else will call. If our lines are busy, try each number in turn, or reach out through WhatsApp. In a genuine emergency, involve the local police station as well, who can also refer cases to organisations like ours.

Noticing someone, and making one phone call, is very often the entire difference between another cold night on the street and a warm bed.