HAPPILY EVER AFTER
                       (Elderly care - Oldage homes)
                                                                                                                               
                                                                      : Upaasana Bora

“My husband dropped me off near Ganjve Chowk saying he will come back in a while. I am a visually impaired woman and I was there for two days. I had even met with an accident and had fractured my leg. Janaseva Foundation's representative took me to their hospital where I was operated. My family knows that I am here but has never paid me a visit. Even though all this is unbelievable for me, I am glad that I am with my loved ones. I can finally live without worrying about anything, I can finally live happily” said Rukhmini Bhosle, aged 63 years, who found a loving family at Janaseva Founadtion. Hearing such stories of some of the inmates of the late Shri. Haribhai V. Desai Old Age Home (one of the old age homes run by Janaseva Foundation) amply supports the statement that the Old Age Homes are ‘A home away from home’.
These Old Age Homes were ideally built for those elderly people who were childless and did not have anyone to look after them. Surprisingly, as the society has evolved, there are many inmates who are put there by their children who consider them to be a burden.
About 26 years ago, Janaseva Foundation had established its first old-age home only for 20 people in the premises of Sonapur General Hospital. In due course of time, it has managed to construct 4 old age homes : Shri. Haribhai V.DESAI OLDEAGE HOMES-WING 1 and 2,Shri.Rasikalal Manikchand  oladagehome and Smt.ichrajbai Khivansara old age home all of which are located in Ambi village in Pune district
 which are now looking after over 200 elderly people, out of which 100 have been rescued from the streets.
Janaseva Foundation is perhaps the only organisation in the country which runs old age homes, a long term care centre for the elderly (LTC) and a hospital within the same premises along with a paralytic centre, and physiotherapy centre. It admits destitute, disabled, handicapped and mentally ill people. Over 2/3rd of the patients are admitted and provided with all the necessary facilities free of cost, while the remaining are admitted at a subsidised rate.
“They deserve every bit of love and care for they now retire from the duties and responsibilities they managed in their youth” said Mrs. Sonali, the manager who has been serving there for the past 20 years. She was speaking from her experience, because, as I looked around, all I could see were happy faces.
Mrs. Sonali’s statement is corroborated by the best of facilities provided to the inmates to make them feel at home.
- Health & Nutrition: Proper nutrition is guaranteed for each individual and for this purpose customized menus have been designed which ensure the inclusion of milk and, fruits and various vegetables.
- Engaging daily routine: A typical day begins with devotional programs, yoga, meditation and morning walk.
- Recreational facilities: Papers and magazines along with books are available for reading. There is even a computer training class along with lectures on various topics. For entertainment there is provision of TV, DVD player and indoor games such as carom, chess, table tennis etc. Members can also indulge in outdoor sports like badminton, tennis. Everyone is encouraged to be a part of as many activities as possible.
- Social Service: The members stitch clothes for the poor children, take their tuitions, collect donations during natural calamities e.g. Tsunami, Gujarat Earthquake etc. Members also arrange a picnic and visit other projects.

Most of the inmates believe that spending time in the Day Care Centre is the golden period of their lives, where they are going to live together happily ever after.

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