Our vision
Compassionate and innovative age care solutions
01Who We Are
Nightingales Medical Trust (NMT) is a professionally managed not-for-profit organisation established in Bengaluru in 1998, dedicated to improving the lives of older persons and people living with dementia.
For nearly three decades, NMT has been developing innovative, holistic, need-based and family-centred solutions across the continuum of ageing and dementia care.
Our work spans dementia care, healthy and active ageing, social integration, prevention of elder abuse, livelihood and empowerment, community-based support, training, capacity building, public awareness and advocacy.
Many of our initiatives have evolved into models that have been replicated in different parts of India and have contributed to shaping the way elder care and dementia care are understood and delivered.
Our Belief
Our belief is simple:
Every older person deserves to age with dignity, security, purpose and the opportunity to remain connected with family and society
02Why we exist
Because Ageing Should Not Mean Losing Dignity, Independence or Belonging.
India is ageing rapidly. At the same time, families are changing, traditional support systems are becoming weaker, and the needs of older persons are becoming increasingly complex.
Loneliness, chronic illness, dementia, elder abuse, financial insecurity, social isolation and loss of livelihood can profoundly affect the quality of later life.
Dementia presents an additional challenge. As the condition progresses, elders with dementia may require increasing levels of supervision, specialised care and support. Families often struggle to find affordable, professional and compassionate services.
NMT was founded in response to these realities.
We work to create practical, accessible and sustainable solutions that enable older persons to live with dignity and families to receive the support they need.
Our work is particularly committed to ensuring that economic circumstances do not become a barrier to accessing essential care and support.
Dignity
Independence
Belonging
Compassionate Care
Accessible Support
Sustainable Solutions
03The Need for NMT
India Is Ageing. The Need for Age Care Is Growing.
India's elderly population has grown dramatically over the past several decades and is expected to increase substantially in the coming years. At the same time, the availability of specialised services for older persons remains inadequate.
The challenges are not limited to healthcare.
Older persons may face:
Chronic health conditions and disability
Dementia and cognitive decline
Loneliness and social isolation
Elder abuse and neglect
Financial insecurity
Loss of employment and livelihood
Changing family structures
Lack of appropriate care and support
Difficulty accessing reliable information and services
Dementia Care
People living with dementia and their families face an additional set of challenges, including delayed diagnosis, lack of awareness, shortage of trained caregivers, behavioural and psychological symptoms, caregiver stress and limited access to specialised residential and community-based care.
This is where NMT seeks to make a difference.
NMT's Approach
We develop need-based solutions across the entire ageing and dementia-care continuum from prevention and early assessment to community support, day care, residential care, caregiver training, advocacy and research.
Prevention
Early assessment
Community support
Day care
Residential care
Caregiver training
Advocacy
Research
04Our journey
From a Garage to a Movement for Ageing with Dignity
Nightingales' story began in a modest garage in Sadashivnagar, Bengaluru
The founders, Dr Radha S Murthy and Mr S Premkumar Raja, began by providing home healthcare through Nightingales Home Health Services. As they interacted with older persons and their families, they recognised that medical care alone was not enough.
Many elders were also struggling with loneliness, emotional distress, abuse, financial insecurity and social isolation.
This realisation led to the establishment of Nightingales Medical Trust in 1998, with a vision of creating a more comprehensive approach to ageing.
Three decades of innovation
2024–2026
NMT continued to expand its dementia care, active ageing, community support, training, technology, and advocacy initiatives while developing Nightingales Smriti Gram – Dementia Care, Learning & Research, a new integrated model of dementia care.
2023
NMT completed 25 years of service. It also received the IPS-KC Distinguished Service Award for exemplary service in the field of mental health.
2022
NMT established its first Hiriyaravadi to help marginalized elders in a city slum
NMT launched a Mobile Active Ageing Programme in 28 old age homes
2021
NMT was recognised to coordinate the National Helpline for Senior Citizens in Karnataka — SK Home - A Home for Destitute Elderly Men.
2019
Strengthened training and advocacy initiatives. Rotary Pioneer Award (for pioneering work in the field of Age Care).
2017
Mobile Active Ageing
2018
Dementia Day Care Centres at KR Fort Road and RT Nagar. Tanya Mathias - Nightingales Trust Elder Care Centre. Dementia 2018 International Conference in association with ARDSI. Sandhya Suraksha (A home for Destitute Elderly Women).
2014
ETCM – Nightingales Trust Dementia Residential Care Centre established in Kolar using telemedicine solutions and bringing down costs by 30%.
NMT also expanded its work in dementia risk reduction and active ageing.
2011
Nightingales Jobs 60+ was established to promote employment opportunities for financially insecure elders. Received an International Research Award for a promising intervention for people with dementia and their carers. NMT was also designated as a Regional Resource and Training Centre in Age Care by the Government of India.
2010
Nightingales Centre for Ageing and Alzheimer's established as a specialised residential dementia care facility.
2009
NMT's work received the Vayoshreshtha Samman, National Award.
2008
International collaboration with Alzheimer's Australia for technical support.
2006
Dementia Day Care services introduced to support persons with dementia and provide respite to family caregivers.
2005
Paul Harris Fellowship from Rotary Foundation. Draft Bill to Government of Karnataka. Advocacy with the government on 'Elders Protection of Rights and Redressal of Grievances Act'.
2004
Nightingales Sandhya Kirana established as a Day Care Centre for economically disadvantaged older persons.
2003
Received the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award for outstanding social service.
2002
Elders Helpline launched
Elders Helpline launched in association with Bengaluru City Police—the first of its kind in the country to help elders in distress and combat elder abuse.
2000
Nightingales Lifesaving Services
1999
Nightingales Elders Enrichment Centre established in Malleshwaram.
1998
Nightingales Medical Trust established
As a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to elder care.
The journey continues.
From a small beginning in Bengaluru, NMT has grown into a multi-dimensional organisation working across age care, dementia care, social protection, empowerment, training and advocacy.
Our next chapter is focused on building scalable models for the future of ageing and dementia care.
05Vision, mission & values
Our mission
To enhance the quality of life of elders through innovative and appropriate community-based support systems, comprehensive geriatric care with special focus on dementia and active ageing, combating elder abuse, enabling livelihoods, public education, advocacy and capacity building.
Our values
Dignity
We respect every older person as an individual with inherent worth, rights and choices.
Compassion
We respond to vulnerability with empathy, patience and understanding.
Person-centredness
We design care around the individual — not simply the condition or diagnosis.
Inclusion
We believe that every elder deserves access to care, support and opportunities irrespective of socio-economic circumstances.
Integrity
We act with honesty, accountability and transparency in everything we do.
Innovation
We continuously seek better, more effective and sustainable solutions to emerging challenges in ageing and dementia care.
Professionalism
We combine compassion with knowledge, competence, systems and evidence-informed practice.
Partnership
We believe lasting change is possible when families, communities, government, institutions, professionals and organisations work together.
Respect for independence
We encourage older persons to remain active participants in decisions affecting their lives.
06People & governance
Responsible governance. People who turn vision into action.
Board
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Responsible Governance. Independent Oversight. Shared Commitment.
Nightingales Medical Trust is guided by a Board of Trustees comprising experienced professionals from diverse fields, bringing expertise in healthcare, administration, finance, business, public policy and social development.
The Board provides strategic direction and oversight, with major policy decisions resting with the Board.
Our governance philosophy is based on:
AccountabilityTransparencyEthical GovernanceProfessional OversightLong-term Sustainability
Meet our Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees provides strategic oversight and ensures that NMT remains true to its mission while maintaining high standards of governance and accountability.
Leadership
LEADERSHIP TEAM
People Who Turn Vision into Action
NMT's work is driven by a committed team of professionals who bring expertise in medicine, dementia care, social work, programme management, finance, human resources, technology, communications, research and community development.
Our leadership team combines professional competence with a deep commitment to social impact.
Leadership
Dr Radha S Murthy
Co-Founder & Managing Trustee
A physician with more than three decades of experience, Dr Radha Murthy has been instrumental in shaping NMT's person-centred approach to elder and dementia care.
Mr S Premkumar Raja
Co-Founder & Secretary
With postgraduate qualifications in social sciences and 40+ years experience in community welfare and healthcare administration, Mr Raja has played a key role in conceptualising and implementing NMT's innovative programmes.
Senior Leadership Team
07Our achievements
Recognitions & awards
Our work in elder care, dementia care and community service has been recognized by institutions and organizations across India and internationally.
International Research Award 2011
For 'Most promising intervention for people with dementia and their carers' by Foundation Mederic Alzheimer and Alzheimer's Disease International.
Vayoshreshtha Samman - National Award 2008
For Institutional Service conferred by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
IAHSA Excellence in Ageing Services Award 2006
Citation of Honor by International Association of Homes & Services for the Ageing.
Rajyotsava Prashasthi 2003
The second highest civilian honor of Karnataka State from the Hon. Chief Minister, Government of Karnataka.
Namma Bengaluru Award 2010
For outstanding contribution to Bangalore city.
Paul Harris Fellowship 2005
Rotary Foundation for our work in Elderly and Dementia care.
Rotary Pioneer Award 2019
Presented by Rotary Club - Bangalore Downtown.
IPS-KC Distinguished Service Award 2023
By the Karnataka Chapter of the Indian Psychiatric Society.
International Research Award 2011
For 'Most promising intervention for people with dementia and their carers' by Foundation Mederic Alzheimer and Alzheimer's Disease International.
Vayoshreshtha Samman - National Award 2008
For Institutional Service conferred by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
IAHSA Excellence in Ageing Services Award 2006
Citation of Honor by International Association of Homes & Services for the Ageing.
Rajyotsava Prashasthi 2003
The second highest civilian honor of Karnataka State from the Hon. Chief Minister, Government of Karnataka.
Namma Bengaluru Award 2010
For outstanding contribution to Bangalore city.
Paul Harris Fellowship 2005
Rotary Foundation for our work in Elderly and Dementia care.
Rotary Pioneer Award 2019
Presented by Rotary Club - Bangalore Downtown.
IPS-KC Distinguished Service Award 2023
By the Karnataka Chapter of the Indian Psychiatric Society.
Our Partners
Stronger Together, Making a Difference
As a not-for-profit organization, Nightingales Medical Trust depends on the support of like-minded and socially conscious individuals, corporates and groups of people to assist us in our work in the care of the aged and persons with Dementia.
08Transparency
Our work, our impact, our accountability.
We believe transparency builds trust. Explore our annual reports and financial documents to learn more about our work, impact and accountability.
7 reports
ANNUAL REPORTS
Our Work. Our Impact. Our Accountability.
We believe that organisations working for social impact must be accountable to the people and institutions that support them.
Our Annual Reports provide an overview of:
- Programmes and initiatives
- Impact and beneficiaries
- Organisational developments
- Financial performance
- Partnerships
- Key achievements
- Challenges and priorities for the future
Our latest published annual report describes NMT as a professionally managed not-for-profit working for elders and persons with dementia since 1998, with programmes spanning dementia care, active ageing, social integration, elder-abuse prevention, livelihoods, training, awareness and advocacy.
09Our Commitment
For nearly three decades, NMT has sought to demonstrate that ageing can be approached differently.
We have moved beyond the traditional model of care to develop solutions that combine:
Care
Community
Prevention
Empowerment
Innovation
Advocacy
From dementia day care and specialised residential care to elder helplines, active ageing, livelihood programmes, caregiver training and Smriti Gram, our work is guided by one enduring belief:
Every elder deserves to age with dignity, purpose, security and belonging.
And every family should have access to the knowledge, care and support they need.
The journey continues.
CareCommunityPreventionEmpowermentInnovationAdvocacy