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Take time out to listen to love and care for your elders
Tuesday, April 12, 2005 Deccan Herald [Spectrum], Bangalore
From being a citizen of India's Silicon Valley and walking on the inevitable hi-tech cloud to meeting Sujatha Bhat and Kalpana Mallya was a thud back to reality and living. Our lives today are just focused on the fast track to success, how many of us take a breather and think about our old and infirm parents and relatives who are totally helpless in their old age. With the joint family system being blown into oblivion by most of us and the nuclear family taking over there are so many old people who have nowhere to turn to in their twilight years.
The problem has been amplified with the exodus to the West to greener pastures by their children to countries which are unfamiliar to the older generation, and they are left behind to manage as best they can in India.
This is where Kalpana Mallya and Sujatha Bhat have stepped in. Rattling along the almost non-existence Banerghatta Road in their rattle trap old Fiat to the Old age home, one cannot be, but impressed with the fervour in Sujathas eyes, or the quiet commitment in Kalpana's when they talk about Asha Jeevan.
"We have inmates of all religions with us at the moment ranging from 30years to 103 years both male and female. We initially began in rented premises in Bilekahalli, where we took a small four bedroom house. Then we did not have much experience about the difference of caring for the aged and the problems faced managing Alzheimers and other griatric diseases. Many people brought their parents to us saying they were fine and never revealed the health problems they had. Once we began taking care of them we realized the challenge of managing them on a daily basis," she said.
"Once we began taking care of the elders we realised the challenge of managing them on a daily basis."
"We initially asked for twenty thousand as deposit with a two thousand monthly maintenance. But the people we rented the premises from, would threaten to throw us out and wanted to increase the rent thinking we were raking in big bucks. Realising we needed our own premises to function realistically, we approached various philanthropists who appreciated our good work and came forward to help," said Kalpana.
Dayanand Pai sold them the land at discounted rates, and spread the word in his business circle to friends about their credibility and vouched that they were genuine. With his backing, people came forward to help them. They got a loan from the Canara Bank but that was insufficient. Thy got a donation from Khotari and Jain Shah of Rs 10 lakh and that added the name Asha to Jeevan.
As the fiat came to a rattling halt one came face-to-face with the huge efforts made by these women. On 8200 sqft of land they have already built two floors of large, well-lit single, double, triple occupancy rooms and plan another floor as the demand is so great. There are also a lounge, pooja room, a spacious dining room, kitchen, laundry and a ramp to give the whole building wheelchair access. They also have cottages for couples and those who prefer total privacy. While we walked around the premises, Sujatha and Kalpana called out cherry greetings to all inmates while helpers were around in every room, taking care of their needs. All helpers were neatly turned out in a white shirt and grey trousers. One has to walk barefoot in the tiled premises to keep it perfectly clean which is an excellent practice.
Marianne de Nazareth tells us that it is a tragedy when India known for its obsession with the 'family' are beginning to go the West way and are dumping their elders at homes without taking the time to listen to what they have to say or care for them in anyway.
"Besides the furnished accommodation we also give the inmates vegetarian food, round the clock nursing care, there ia an ambulance on call all the time, regular doctor visits and there are basic medical equipment like the BP meter, the Gluco-meter, the nurses can handle the Ryle's tube feeding, bedsore management, and can give oxygen and insulin injections," explains Sujatha.
"We train the local persons to take care of the elders as they speak their language which increases comfort."
"In the early days we would travel to Kerala and get our nursing staff from the Red Cross. They held us to ransom and we really suffered with their demands. Now we have begun our own training facility where local underprivileged girls and boys are trained to be nurses and para-medical staff. That way they are familiar with our inmates languages and so both are comfortable with one another," says Kalpana.
Frail Chacko who is 103 this year, is the oldest member in the home. He has been abandoned by his family after they paid the initial deposit.
Like Chacko there are 21 other inmates who have been abandoned with their families untraceable. "We cannot show them the door, chorus the women, but we nee sponsors and generous people to help us with money to sustain our work that's all. Today, we take Rs 50,000 as deposit and depending on the condition of the patient the monthly expenses are either Rs 3,000 or Rs 4,000," explains Sujatha. Considering the amount of effort and love they bestow on their inmates, the money asked is a pittance.
Also as one can see, the money is being pumped directly into the premises and the two women look at nothing for themselves.
Pretty obvious from their simple clothes and rattle trap car, these are angels in disguise for the 65 human beings who are kept in their care.
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Care for the aged
Monday July 12, 2004 Deccan Herald 
Asha Jeevan Home for the Aged, which had their new facility "Asha Jeevan Retirement Homes and Care Giving Centre" inaugurated last week at Gottigere off Bannerghatta Road, has stated that the new facility can house 70 residents along with staff members. The facility is available for geriatrics and others who need assistance and nursing care. Asha Jeevan is also offering cottage facilities for elderly couples as well as for people who prefer independent living, say its trustees Kalpana Mallya and Sujatha Bhat.
The inauguration saw a sprinkling of dignitaries including Mr. Dayanand Pai, CEO of Century Builders and Mr. G.M. Row, former president of Rotary Clup, Lavelle Road. For the construction of this Rs. 62-lakh project, Asha Jeevan, apart from taking a loan from Canara Bank, has also received donations from philanthropists like Mr. Dayananda Pai, Mr Naresh J Shah and Jayantilal Shah family of Basavanagudi, Mr. Kishanlal Kothari and Raichand Jain of Jain Group, Jairani Kapoor Trust, Mantri and Salarpuria groups. For more information on the familities call - 9845184079
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Nurses make stay comfortable
Tuesday, March 4, 2003 The Times of India, Bangalore
Crisp efficiency and benevolent care make this home for senior citizens a secure place. Set up in March 2000, Asha Jeevan houses 33 senior citizens in three locations off Bannerghatta Road. The home specializes in looking after senior citizens who are bedridden or who keep indifferent health.
Asha Jeevan has 14 trained nurses living in the premises for round-the-clock geriatric care. The home also has basic medical facilities such as a Suction Machine, Glucometer, Nebuliser, Oxygen, BP apparatus and IV equipment. "Our nurses are trained in a hospital and are capable of bladder wash, catheterization, administering IV drips, tube feeding and routine nursing functions", says Sujatha .R. Bhat, a trustee managing Asha Jeevan. The home, which has patients suffering from Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, paralysis, osteoporosis and diabetes, has an ambulance too.
The charm if Asha Jeevan is in its commitment to life making comfortable as possible for those who need constant care. "We specialize in 24-hour care. Our staff understand the needs of the residents well", says Kalpana Mallya, another trustee. The nurses, aged between 18 and 22, are trained to be patient and calm with senior citizens.
The food served here is vegetarian. And those fit are taken for a daily walk with an attendant. A common hall serves as an area to watch TV together or celebrate birthdays and festivals. Bhajans are conducted daily in the mornings. A doctor visits once in 10 days for routine check-ups.
This apart, Asha Jeevan also has 272 home health attendants working at different homes in the city, nursing senior citizens who need it. "These nurses are available in day and night shifts, or round-the-clock", says Sujatha.
- Location: 449, 9th Main, Sundaram Shetty Nagar, Bilekkahalli, Begur Hobli, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore - 76. Phone 6638154
- Charges: Short term (3 months) - Rs 15,000. Admission fee - Rs 4,000. No deposit. Long term - Rs 2,750 per month (if fit), Rs 3,750 per month (if bedridden). Deposit Rs 50,000. Lifetime (one time payment) - Rs 1.75 lakh (if fit). Rs 2 lakh (if bedridden).
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Hope for victims of ageing and insecurity
Monday 17, March, 2003 The Vijay Times, Bangalore
Old age is the time when one should sit and enjoy the fruits of life after years of hard work. But alas, it is only hardship which is in store as old age brings along associated diseases and emotional insecurity.
Some are lucky to manage by themselves, but not all are fortunate enough. Many old age homes have cropped up in the city to assist older people. Among many such is Asha Jeevan, which caters to the needs of bed-ridden old people.
The increasing number of working couples has led to neglect of elderly and diseased older people at home. The couples cannot be blamed either, as it is important for them to earn to make a living.
What do you do when old people at home are bedridden and diseased? For Susheelamma's children, it was an awful situation as she was suffering from paralysis and many other disorders. She required utmost care and round-the-clock assistance. So this led her son to shift her to Asha Jeevan, wherein a full-time nurse caters to her needs. Her son visits her often.
This is one of many cases in Asha Jeevan where these senior citizens are taken care of. Sujatha Bhat along with her friend Kalpana Mallya started Asha Jeevan three years ago. Sujatha says, "We started this organization as we felt that there was not enough assistance for the diseased and elderly. Even most of the old age homes do not look after the bed-ridden people. It was then that we decided to open an old age home for the sick".
What started as a small home consisting of one or two people, has now grown into full fledged three homes consisting of 33 people. Kalpana says, "There are about seven nurses for every house. The nurses are trained before handling them and they undergo rigorous training for about a month and half".
The nurses are trained in St. John's Hospital and are then moved to the old age home to look after the sickly. However these nurses have to pay their expenses for the training. Sujatha says, "We even have the facility to send nurses to residences if the concerned person does to wish to join our organization".
Most of the people here suffer from Alzheimer's and schizophrenia. Some of them suffer from epilepsy and asthma as well. For emergency services the organization has its own ambulance, which helps in moving the patients to the hospital. Nurses keep a tab on their health and maintain records of each of them. The doctor who visits them once in 10 days will be able to judge their condition based on these reports.
Kalpana says, "We have a tie-up with one of the hospitals named Shanthi Nursing Home". Timely assistance and medical expertise is what is most appreciated about this organization. The diet of the residents is also looked after depending on their ailments.
Sarojamma, a resident of this organization, had made the hard choice of residing in an old age home long back, as she did not want to trouble anyone. Her son opposed her initially but finally had to agree once she was bedridden. Now she did not regret her decision. She says, "My son and his family visit me often and recently we celebrated my grand daughter's birthday here".
Not many are lucky like Sarojamma as this house also shelters destitutes. Abandoned by her family, Lalithamma, a spinster, leads a lonely life in this organization. Her expenses are met by the organization itself.
Otherwise one has to pay a deposit of Rs 50,000 and a monthly amount of Rs 2750-3750 depending on the condition of their ailment. The money given is used for the treatment and other facilities.
Kalpana and Sujatha say, the expenses are sometimes too high to bear. They do not have assistance from any other organization but they do receive donations from philanthropists.
They even plan to construct a full-fledged building for these people, as the homes are at different locations. They also plan to open an orphanage in the same building and a doorstep service of medical care for the elderly. "Opening an orphanage in the same place will help the elderly people interact with the children, thus creating a bond. All we want is some co-operation and funds to raise this building and meet some of the organisation's demands."
This organization stands as a new ray of hope for the bedridden elderly, for they find solace in this organization.