PARTNER STORY
Supporting dignity through essential care, learning and community connection
Founded in 1999 by Mr Himanshu Rath, Agewell Foundation has worked for more than two decades to advance the wellbeing, dignity and rights of vulnerable older adults across India. Through its nationwide network of volunteers, the organisation reaches more than 25,000 older adults each day, providing services including a national helpline, health support, legal and financial guidance, and an employment exchange for older adults who wish to remain active and engaged. In recognition of its contribution, Agewell Foundation was granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 2011.
At BAPU Foundation, we believe meaningful and lasting change begins with trusted organisations that understand the communities they serve. Agewell’s extensive experience, strong local relationships and long-standing commitment to vulnerable older adults made it a natural partner as BAPU began its international grant-making journey.
Our partnership is grounded in a shared belief that ageing with dignity requires more than meeting immediate needs. It also means listening to older adults, understanding what improves their daily lives and applying those insights to strengthen future care and support. Together, Agewell Foundation and BAPU Foundation are supporting practical, dignity-led initiatives for vulnerable older adults in Delhi and the surrounding region through essential care, awareness and learning.
What We Support
Essential Care
Providing adult diapers, food packages and folding beds to improve comfort, hygiene, nutrition, safe rest and daily dignity.
Awareness and Advocacy
Supporting initiatives that raise awareness of the needs, rights and dignity of older adults while encouraging more inclusive and supportive communities.
Learning
Applying BAPU’s Ageing with Dignity Framework to better understand the experiences and needs of older adults and identify what can meaningfully improve daily life.
Why This Partnership Matters
Agewell Foundation brings decades of experience, extensive community connections and a deep understanding of the realities facing vulnerable older adults in India. BAPU Foundation brings focused funding, a human-centred framework and a commitment to evidence, accountability and continuous learning.
By bringing these strengths together, we aim not only to provide meaningful support today, but also to generate practical insights that can help strengthen community-based care for vulnerable and often overlooked adults for the future.
For over two decades, we’ve worked alongside India’s older adults — not as outsiders providing charity, but as people who see them as human beings first, with lives, histories and dignity of their own. What matters to us isn’t just what gets delivered, but what actually changes for someone, day to day. Partnerships like this one help us keep doing that.
— Himanshu Rath, Founder & Chairman, Agewell Foundation
Focus areas this partnership supports
See how this connects to our Ageing with Dignity Framework