In today's fast-paced world, the growing need for eldercare and old age homes is becoming increasingly apparent. With longer lifespans and changing family dynamics, many seniors find themselves in need of dedicated support and care facilities. While we are yet to find long-term models and solutions in this regard, the individuals and organisations tirelessly working in this area show us the path. The Manav Seva Charitable Trust’s recent announcement on settin up India's largest old age shelter home stands out as a shining example for its compassionate and comprehensive approach to elderly care. The ambitious project aims to provide free, lifelong shelter to 5,000 elderly individuals with an investment of ₹300 crore.
TheCSRUniverse had the privilege to speak with Shri Swami Parmananda Saraswati, the International Convener of the Hindu Dharmacharya Mahasabha and Patron of Sadbhavana Old Age Home. In this interview, Swami ji discusses the unique services and facilities offered by Sadbhavana, the challenges of managing a large-scale eldercare facility, and the inspiration behind this noble endeavor. He also sheds light on the funding and operational strategies of the project, the significance of community support, and the role of spirituality in fostering a culture of empathy and care for the elderly.
Join us as we delve into the heart of Sadbhavana Vrudhashram’s mission and vision for a more compassionate society:
Q. We’d like to know more about Sadbhavna Old Age Home in Rajkot- what makes it unique in terms of its services and facilities as well as its approach to elderly care?
A. Sadbhavana old age home is unique in terms of services and facilities. The basic purpose of this mission is to generate empathy for our elders and making us aware that it is our duty to look after them. Most old age homes look after elders who are in good health. However, there is no place for them once they are sick and incapacitated. Our centre looks after them even when they are unwell and unable to look after their basic functions and day to day activities. Bedridden patients receive complete care ad as many as 200 out of the current 650 patients are with us. Terminal diseases like cancer, kidney failure, gangrene etc are treated by us.
Q. Managing a facility with 650 elderly people is a complex exercise- could you shed light on how this facility is funded and managed?
A. The trust is funded from donations and CSR funds. There is no other source of revenue since the services are provided free by the Trust. All the staff members are hired by the Trust and regular salaries are paid to them. There are volunteers but lot of work is done by permanent staff. We have a committee of professionals that look after day-to-day management.
Q. Establishing India’s largest old age shelter home is an extremely noble, but also difficult goal. What inspired you and the Manav Seva Charitable Trust to undertake such an ambitious project?
A. We look upon this project as our contribution to the society, as Gandhiji said have a cause means will follow. We started small but as we moved forward, we saw that there are many senior citizens who need our assistance, at times we also get seniors from other states. The sheer need for this assistance has inspired us to take up the cause and expand it.
Q. How is the project being funded, and what has been the role of the Manav Seva Charitable Trust in this initiative?
A. Manav seva is the original core body that collects the general-purpose donations. The Sadbhavana foundation has been set up for the care of the elderly. The Manav seva also has other activities such as planting of trees , already 30 lac trees have been planted and nurtured by us , we have a staff of 1600 persons, 400 tankers for this purpose.
Q. Please take us through the planning process for the upcoming shelter home? What kind of management and operational strategies will be in place to ensure the smooth running of this large-scale project?
A. Our first target is to get the funds for the construction of the residential towers. Currently our facility for 600 is spread across 3 locations, we will consolidate into one and then start accepting new seniors to the complex. Initially we have completed construction of 1 tower and second is in progress. We will complete 7 towers in final stage. As each tower is completed will start moving elders into the facility. We have acquired 30 acres land, and this land will be fully utilized. We have to create recreation rooms, physiotherapy, yoga centre and such other facilities along with staying quarters. We are already experienced into this management for 600 people we will extend the same model for the expanded project.
Q. Could you tell us more about the global Ramkatha event led by Shri Morari Bapu to support the SadbhavnaVruddhashram project? What are your expectations from this event in terms of raising awareness and support for elder care?
A. The Global Ram katha event is to bring the focus of elder care on the centre stage. While we would make appeal to raise funds for the project our purpose is to make the citizens aware of the duty towards the elders and not abandoning them. It is indeed challenging times when the costs are very high, and it is difficult to make ends meet for most middle-class families. The expectations of children and youth due to huge consumerism and advertisements. In such times elders needs receive a low priority. We want families to focus on the elders’ expectations and their physical care. We expect 10,000 people from outside Gujarat to attend the Kath, local 50,000 residents are expected. We have booked 500 rooms and many more flats to house the outstation guests.
Q. In your opinion, what are the most pressing challenges facing elder care in India today? What suggestions would you offer to improve the quality and accessibility of elder care across the country?
A. Elders who are childless and do not have sons or daughters who are unable to look after in times of need are our focus area. Another challenge is when they are sick and incapacitated and there is no attendant ie. The attendant is not affordable by the family such people are our focus areas whom we want to help. Along with physical problems there are mental depression cases and community living is helpful to them. The entertainment, exercises etc are helpful in relieving mental stress.
Q. How do you view government policies and initiatives for elder care? What more can be done at a policy level to create a more supportive ecosystem for elderly in India?
A. This service should be provided by the government. In US for example there are old age homes wherein the subsidy is provided by the government or insurance covers the cost. In India we have just become familiar with Ayushman yojana which is helping. However, the medical facilities are not adequate to take care of the needs of the elders, Beyond a point if the disease is not curable patients are forced to leave the hospital. The facility for mental care is non-existent. If the government wants to play a role in elders service then specific centre should be created or government can aid the existing centres and have minimum standards for the agencies providing this care. Currently there is no specific policy to aid to support the kind of elderly care provided by us. We are being supported by general donations and CSR funds.
Q. How do you see spirituality and religion playing a role today, especially in terms of inspiring individuals, corporations and communities to contribute to social causes?
A. The core of our mission is spirituality. Our services are not religion specific since if we consider everyone age, gender has no religion. We serve all. The empathy for the elders is the inherent qualities in all human beings, we appeal to that empathy and coupled with the need that they see around them the individuals and corporates are motivated to donate for this cause.
Q. What message would you like to convey to the younger generation and society at large about the importance of caring for the elderly? How can we foster a more compassionate environment for senior citizens in our communities?
A. Once this project is complete, we wish to invite other states institutions to take up similar projects. We propose to provide funds, management, staff and know how to set up such activities in other areas with our knowledge base. We pray that the need for such institutions is ultimately eliminated from the society and each elder is looked after by their own family. Till such time it happens we must do our duty. For the younger generation we wish to convey that it is your parents, teachers and society that have made you want you are. It is your duty to return that obligation in whatever form possible. We would also appeal to all the donors to participate in the creation of the world’s largest old age home. The project cost will Rs. 300 Cr which will include 1400 rooms, housing 5000 elders and all additional facilities such as dining halls, library, TV and movie room, prayer halls, exercise and physiotherapy.
