Adding life to old age
| Date :17-Nov-2019 |
Residents of Soham celebrating ‘Diwali’. (Right) Residents of Soham relishing festive delicacies while celebrating ‘Diwali’.
By Rahul Dixit :
HIS wife Smita in hospital, diagnosed with pneumonia, and both daughters settled abroad, 70-year-old Shrikant Joshi was distressed with the predicament of senior citizens living a lonely life. The immediate situation was handled well but the next thought on his mind was finding an alternative where the sunset years of life would find a new glow. After visits to several old age homes, Joshi landed in ‘Soham’, a peaceful but vibrant retreat for senior living, near Rani Jhansi square in Sitabuldi.
The Joshi couple is now in better physical and mental health, enjoying a stress-free life. Post-retirement life is a big issue in India, specially in middle class and upper-middle class homes where senior citizens stay back allowing their kids to make a living abroad but face the problems of security and loneliness. In an effort to deal with the problem of alienation which snuffs all energy out of oldies, the Women’s Home Trust came up with the idea of ‘Soham’, a first of its kind of cluster of fully furnished studio apartments with a lively and vibrant environment for elderly people. India is increasingly warming up to this concept of luxury retirement homes where a professional system takes care of senior inhabitants for reasonable charges and allows a tension-free life.
Nagpur is not too far behind with such abodes coming up within the city and also in the vicinity. Many are brought up with a concept of retirement resorts that offer a wonderful alternative for families whose children are mostly away from home. “We initiated ‘Soham’ with the mission of ‘caring for those who once cared for us’. This kind of facility ensures that there is no loneliness and therefore better mental health. Seniors are secure with their self esteem intact. A professional system takes good care of them,” says Varsha Manohar, President of Women’s Home Trust. ‘Soham’ is spread over 56,000 sq ft land. It has 52 apartments, each having an air-conditioner, fridge and television.
The entire facility is built after minute research of old age homes across the country. All the problems of old people were taken into consideration before the project was launched on the Trust-owned property in 2015. The Joshi couple came to know of ‘Soham’ through an acquaintance, who is a regular participant in various social and entertainment programmes held for senior citizens at the premises every month. “I visited several old age homes in the city but somehow always stared at a gloomy future. On my first visit to ‘Soham’ I liked the entire concept of relaxed retirement living with discipline and wonderful care. We are here for last two months and the staff here is taking care of every thing. There is no tension and we are now building our health,” Shrikant Joshi states.
A decade ago, the society was still not culturally ready to see children and their parents living separately. But there is a distinct change in accepting homes for senior living for the security and companionship they provide to ageing people. “Ageing can be the start of a new carefree chapter in life. Our project is not commercial but aims to be self-sustaining,” adds Manohar. The charges for long stay at the facility is Rs 20,000 per month for single occupancy and Rs 28,000 for double occupancy. It includes in-house catered meals, attendants, helpers, security, medical facilities and physiotherapy unit. Due care has been taken with non-skid flooring, friendly doorways, garden, foyers, gymnasium, lawns, library and large common rooms. The toilets have grab rails and also panic buttons in case of emergency. Other facilities include card room, indoor games and rich collection of books.
“The charges are less than the monthly budget for a couple living at own home. Come to think of it, there is no dependence on housemaid, no salary to be paid, no help needed to deposit monthly electric bills or water bills. No tension of seeking security, and moreover a day filled with rich activities,” Manohar explains. The residents also concur with Manohar. Shrikant and Smita Joshi’s daughters, who live in UK and USA, are more than happy to see their parents living in a happy and secured surrounding. “Both stayed with us here for a week. They are relieved, for, despite having money they were finding it difficult to offer us the quality life we were seeking after retirement,” Joshi asserts.
Like Joshi’s daughters, another NRI who went back reassured after bringing her mother to ‘Soham’ was Shilpa Veerkar nee Kinkhede. “The thought of leaving my Aai in someone else’s care wasn’t an easy thing to digest. But I felt otherwise. Now my Aai’s life in ‘Soham’ is beautiful. With its positive environment, care and loving people around her, she’s happy. Her health parameters are normal and are improving with the timely schedules,” says Shilpa. Each day brings in unique experiences for the seniors including the Joshis and Mrs Kinkhede. Musical programmes, dramas, talk shows, festivities are order of the day. All traditional fervour is taken care of during festivals.
“We celebrated Diwali this year like a close-knit family. Right from ‘Abhyang Snan’ to rangolis, sweets, lights... it was a homely feeling. Mr Shashank Manohar was with us during all festivities. I cannot explain the happiness in words,” Joshi chips in. Adds Shilpa, “A big thank you to Mrs Varsha Manohar and her loving and caring team. I’m much relieved now to come back than my last trip. To know that my mom has a home to call her own relieves me though I miss her a lot.” The satisfaction in these voices is reflection of a change in society’s perception towards senior living facilities. More open minds would definitely lead to creating a happy environment for our seniors and adding life to old age.