Bengaluru: On the occasion of World Alzheimer’s Day (September 21), the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) announced two path-breaking initiatives — the NIMHANS–Vayomanasa Sanjeevani (VMS) Gruha, a home-based psychiatric outreach service, and a Post-Diagnostic Dementia Care Centre, in collaboration with the Dementia India Alliance (DIA).
Psychiatric Care at the Doorstep
The VMS Gruha programme is designed to bring psychiatric care directly to the homes of senior citizens who are unable to travel. Unlike existing tele-psychiatry services that often miss older adults, this initiative will deploy mobile mental health teams of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and trained volunteers to conduct home visits, counselling, and assisted tele-consultations. Volunteers will also work on awareness and basic support, while NIMHANS trainees will receive orientation in geriatric mental health.
Philanthropic Funding and Pilot Rollout
According to P.T. Sivakumar, head of Geriatric Psychiatry at NIMHANS, the initiative has received ₹1.2 crore funding each from eminent psychiatrists Padma Shri awardee Dr. C.R. Chandrashekar and Dr. Srikala Bharath, based in Australia. The programme will first be piloted in Bengaluru South Corporation, covering an estimated 3–4 lakh elderly residents, including those in old-age homes and destitute communities. A dedicated helpline (99004 18922) has also been set up for queries.
Post-Diagnostic Dementia Care Centre
Alongside the outreach programme, NIMHANS and DIA are setting up a Post-Diagnostic Dementia Care Centre, with CSR support, to help families immediately after a dementia diagnosis. The centre will provide modest financial aid for disadvantaged families, connect them with welfare schemes, and facilitate support groups and volunteer networks. The facility is expected to be fully functional within two months and benefit more than 3,000 families annually, according to DIA President Dr. Radha S. Murthy.
Addressing a Growing Challenge
India already has over 5.3 million dementia patients, and with the elderly population projected to hit 340 million by 2050, experts warn that the demand for structured geriatric mental health services is urgent. More than 90% of older adults with mental health conditions remain untreated due to stigma, poor awareness, and limited access. Experts stress that these initiatives will not only provide treatment but also promote healthy ageing, reduce isolation, and foster community participation.
Aligned with Global Health Goals
Both the outreach programme and the dementia centre reflect the WHO’s Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030) framework, which advocates for community-based, inclusive, and sustainable models of care. Dr. Sivakumar summed it up, saying: “The time has come to care for those who once cared for us.”
