Prashantiloy- a Day Care and Recreational Centre for the elderly

PRASHANTILOY- a Day Care and Recreational Centre for the elderly

A very vulnerable group of family care-givers of persons with mental illness are older people who have retired from active service. These elderly care-givers require peer support as well as an outlet to their problems of coping with a family member affected by mental illness as this could take a toll on their own health. Due to the physical, psychological and emotional problems of old age, the feeling of loneliness and frustration has also become very common amongst our elderly populations. To provide respite, recreation and care to the elderly group of family care-givers as well as other older people going into isolation within their families, a Day Care and Recreational Centre for the elderly - Prashantiloy, was promoted by Ashadeep in the month of October 2003. An attempt was made to improve the quality of life of disadvantaged elderly people through

supportive health care, group activity, counselling, recreational activities and income generation by utilization of existing skills or by learning new skills. Here, it has to be clarified that at Ashadeep, because of the nature of work, the term 'disadvantaged people' does not mean economically poor people only, but also people who have been disadvantaged due to mental and physical health or psychosocial environment.

Weaving, stitching and tailoring, production and packaging of food products are the major areas of vocational activity so far. A temporary sale counter has started operating from Prashantiloy where fresh pickles, juices, sweets, salted snacks and hand-woven cloth and gamochas are being sold. The expenses for the rent and maintenance of premises, mid-day meals for the members and other recurring costs are met from the sale of packaged food products produced at the Centre. Periodic health check-ups, free medication, Yoga therapy, recreational and library facilities, outings and nutritious food are provided at the center. The members themselves have developed a programme under which they visit schools and interact with the children through story telling sessions. Interactive sessions have been also been organized between the members and college students so that they can understand each others' needs and feelings.

In April,2009, Ashadeep had withdrawn from Prashantiloy as the members were empowered to run the Day Recreational Centre of their own. Ashadeep is proud to state that the elderly members of Prashantiloy have very efficiently managed to sustain the centre.

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