On March 9, 2025, our team from NIMS University had the privilege of visiting Aashirwad Old Age Home, Jaipur, as part of our initiative, Wisdom Wellness.
Problem identification:
As we age, the need for companionship, recognition, and being healthy becomes even more vital. Many elderly individuals in old age homes often feel lonely and unheard…..as they approach the later stages of life, itโs crucial to celebrate their experiences and contributions to society.
Source of information in the graph.
Indian Journal of Psychiatry (IJP) โ e.g., โDepression among elderly inmates of old age homes in Indiaโ (2018, PMC5880172)
Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), Wave 1 (2020) โ Conducted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India
HelpAge India Reports (2021โ2023) โ Insights on elder neglect, loneliness, depression, and emotional abuse
NIMHANS Geriatric Psychiatry Surveys โ Studies on mental health burden among institutionalized elderly
Note: Values in the graph represent midpoint estimates derived from reported prevalence ranges in multiple Indian studies.
This is why, our main aim was to interact with them and to empower them with knowledge about their constitutional rights as senior citizens in India so that they can take action if their rights are being violated. In addition to this, providing them with emergency helpline numbers and a basic health care checkup as well as spending time with the elderly to learn together, this was our motto!
“Human connection is the part of medicine that sparks true healing.”
-Sania (Team Leader- Wisdom Wellness)
How we planned it:
We initially consulted the old age home representative to propose conducting the event under the Wisdom Wellness project. Following their approval, we secured permission from our principal. After finalizing our project, we approached Dr. Akhileshwar Reddy from department of community medicine and went through our goals and objectives as a team. We talked to the coordinator of Aashirwad old age home, decided a date for the event and took the required permissions from higher authorities.
We then, thoughtfully curated a lot of interactive activities to connect with the elderly and planned the event-flow, as explained below.
Execution and Impact:
VISIT OVERVIEW
๐ธDo’s and Dont’s by the Manager:
On our arrival, we were first welcomed by an elderly resident who also looks after the home. He shared insightful perspectives on
- how the old-age home functions
- the importance of a good diet, and
- how lifestyles have changed over the years.
When the manager arrived, we handed over some fruits and refreshments as a small token of care. She provided us with important guidelines for interacting with the residents, including avoiding discussions about their past or families to prevent emotional distress. We assured her that our aim was to spread positivity and make the elders feel cared for.
๐ธGroup Interaction and Icebreakers
We gathered all residents in the hall, introduced ourselves and explained to them in brief why we are visiting. We were concerned that they might hesitate to open up with us, but they all greeted us with a warm smile on their faces. Turns out, they were as excited to see us, as we were to meet them!
To encourage engagement, we asked each resident to introduce themselves and share something that makes them happy. Some spoke about their:-
- careers,
- religious travels,
- childhood sports, etc.
One lady expressed that nothing made her happy, but we reassured her that she still had so much to look forward to and we are sure she will be happier the next time we meet.โค๏ธโ๐ฉน There were many such heart-warming as well as heart-breaking moments all through our conversations.
โHealing starts when a doctor becomes a guide, not just a giver of medicine.”
– Sania Fatima Khan (Team Leader)
๐ธHealth awareness and education
-BASIC HEALTH CHECK-UP
- Included taking residents’ blood pressure and recording their medical history along with answering any questions they had with Dr. Akhileshwar Reddy.
- Not all elders consented to taking their blood pressure and we respected that.
-HYGIENE AND INFECTION PREVENTION
- A session on personal hygiene and disease prevention was conducted, emphasizing how immunity weakens with age so everyone needs to be extra careful.
- We demonstrated the WHO-recommended handwashing technique to highlight the importance of proper hand hygiene and discussed the significance of wearing masks, specially while being sick.
-EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL DISTRIBUTION
While talking to them in brief about Senior citizen rights in India, each resident was given a printed sheet that included:
- A list of emergency contact numbers
- Health tips for senior citizens
- A small poem celebrating their life achievements
UNDERSTANDING MENTAL HEALTH
- We interviewed the caregivers to understand how they support the mental well-being of residents and the challenges they face.
- To express our appreciation, we gifted each caregiver a WISDOM WELLNESS notepad and pen.
“TIMELESS ADVICE” INITIATIVE
- We asked each elder to share one piece of advice for the younger generation.
- Over 50% of them emphasized the importance of caring for and respecting elders.
- We compiled their wisdom into a โTimeless Adviceโ Chart, preserving their valuable words to spread them among todayโs youth.
EMOTIONAL IMPACT AND CONCLUSION
The highlight of our visit was witnessing the pure joy on the eldersโ faces. We captured numerous heartwarming photos, cherishing these beautiful moments of happiness and connection.
Before leaving, we:
- Gifted a Croton plant to bring fresh air, positivity, and calmness to the home.
- Presented a handmade card from our team and college.
- Received appreciation from the home manager, who welcomed us to return. As a token of gratitude, she gifted us a picture of Lord Ram and a beautiful flower.
FUTURE SCOPE
- Regular visits to strengthen our bond with the residents under the Wisdom Wellness program.
- Conducting mental wellness sessions with psychologists.
- Exploring government schemes to ensure the elderly receive necessary entitlements.
LEADERSHIP SKILLS UTILISED
During the Wisdom Wellness project, I ensured the smooth execution by utilizing key leadership skills, including:
- Strategic Planning โ Organized the visit, coordinated tasks, and ensured all activities aligned with the projectโs goals.
- Team Coordination โ Assigned roles to team members, facilitated seamless interactions, and ensured everyone contributed effectively.
- Communication Skills and Empathy โ Engaged with the elderly, caregivers, and the management while fostering a warm and respectful environment. Ensured that the visit was not just informative but also emotionally uplifting for the elders.
- Problem-Solving โ Addressed challenges, such as overcoming initial hesitation from some elders and ensuring productive discussions.
- Asking for criticism and adapting accordingly โ Adjusted the approach based on real-time feedback from the manager and residents to ensure a positive impact.
- Motivation and Encouragement โ Inspired both the team and the elders, making sure every individual felt valued and heard.
Wisdom Wellness Wisdom Wellness Wisdom Wellness Wisdom Wellness Wisdom Wellness
In conclusion, the event turned out to be very impactful and enriching, leaving both the elders and our team with smiles, warmth and valuable life lessons. Seeing the elders laugh, engage and share their life experiences with joy definitely made everything worth it!
Gratitude: The success of Wisdom Wellness is dedicated to our Principal Dr. Mukesh Tiwari, HOD Dr. R.K. Manohar, Dr. Akhileshwar Reddy, Dr. Sumita Sethi and the rest of NEST Organisation.
Team Leader: Sania Fatima Khan
Members: Arnav Sharma, Shreya Agarwal, Mayank Tyagi, Kunal Dixit, Gunika Gupta
