World Elders Day & Gandhiji's Birthday

The World Elders Day will be observed tomorrow (1.10.09) followed by Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary the next day (2.10.09). Mohandas Gandhi was born on 2.10.1869 and assassinated on 31.1.1948 at the age of 78.

World Elders Day

October 1, 2009

Tomorrow at Omashram we shall be observing the World Elders Day. We now have 35 lonely and isolated souls as residents. Volunteers, well-wishers, donors drop in often and spend time with them and chat with them. Events like Independence Day, X’mas, Independence Day, Birthdays, etc. are organised by volunteers and donors. A number of kind-hearted donors have been hosting lunches for the residents on the day of the donor’s choice and spend a good deal of time with the residents And all this helps a great deal in alleviating their feeling of isolation and loneliness. Today, it is sad to see that this day which ought to have been celebrated at home is celebrated more outside in old age and destitute homes. The reason: today there is an increasing impatience among young men and women and this has forced many elders, willingly or unwillingly, to move into homes for the aged.

Psychiatrists believe that fulfilling the physical, psychological and emotional needs of elders is the key to keep them healthy and happy. Intentional or unintentional neglect, impudence and maltreatment inside the families and in the society often lead to high levels of stress among elders. This in turn could lead to various physical ailments, psychological and emotional disorders and even cause death in some cases.
Elders are like children with their mood swings, sometimes too quickly not allowing us enough time to grasp. Elders need attention at homes and if we don’t give it, they start demanding it. When the elders begin to feel they are neglected, they adopt ways to attract attention from us and at times irritating. Mental agitation, restlessness, falling sick often, nausea, vomiting and even suicide attempts could be just reactions to this neglect by family members. Immediate medical care, physical and psychological alone may not be enough. We need to spend some quality time with them showing genuine concern. They deserve love care and respect for the simple reason that they brought you up with a load of problems and sacrifice.

To understand the plight of the elderly in India today please read my document “The Elderly”. Kindly log on to:

http://mohanpai.sulekha.com/blog/post/2009/03/omashram-old-age-home-bangalore.htm

Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday

October 2, 2009

“I have nothing to teach the world. Truth and non-violence are as old as the hills”

- Mohandas Gandhi

The Elder that was...

Passages from ‘Introduction’ to “An Autobiography OR The Story of my experiments with truth” (1925)
...My experience in the political field are now known, not only in India, but to a certain extent to the ‘civilized’ world. For me , they have not much value, and the title of Mahatma that they have won for me has, therefore, even less. Often the title has deeply pained me; and there is not a moment I can recall when it may be said to have tickled me. But I should certainly like to narrate my experiments in the spiritual field which are known only to myself, and from which I have derived such powers as I possess for working in the political field. If the experiments are really spiritual, then there can be no room for self-praise. They can only add to my humility. The more I reflect and look back on the past, the more vividly do I feel my limitations...
...But for me, truth is the sovereign principle, which includes numerous other principles. This truth is not only truthfulness in the world, but truthfulness in thought also, and not only the relative truth of our conception, but the Absolute Truth, the Eternal principle, that is God...
...In judging myself I shall try to be as harsh as truth, as I want others also to be. Measuring myself by that standard I must exclaim Surdas:

Where is there a wretch

So wicked and loathsome as I ?

I have forsaken my Maker;

So faithless have I been.

For it is an unbroken torture to me that I am still so far from Him, who, as I fully know, governs every breath of my life, and whose offspring I am...

"JOY OF GIVING" Week

We make a living by what we get,

but we make a life by what we give.
- Winston Churchill.

The JOY OF GIVING Week

- September 27-October 3, 2009

Mahatma Gandhi went from city to city, village to village collecting funds for the Charkha Sangh. During one of his tours he addressed a meeting in Orissa. After his speech a poor old woman got up. She was bent with age, her hair was grey and her clothes were in tatters. The volunteers tried to stop her, but she fought her way to the place where Gandhiji was sitting. “I must see him,” she insisted and going up to Gandhiji touched his feet. Then from the folds of her sari she brought out a copper coin and placed it at his feet. Gandhiji picked up the copper coin and put it away carefully. The Charkha Sangh funds were under the charge of Jamnalal Bajaj. He asked Gandhiji for the coin but Gandhiji refused. “I keep cheques worth thousands of rupees for the Charkha Sangh,” Jamnalal Bajaj said laughingly “yet you won’t trust me with a copper coin.” “This copper coin is worth much more than those thousands,” Gandhiji said. “If a man has several lakhs and he gives away a thousand or two, it doesn’t mean much. But this coin was perhaps all that the poor woman possessed. She gave me all she had. That was very generous of her. What a great sacrifice she made. That is why I value this copper coin more than a crore of rupees.

As India continues to struggle with its paradoxes of growth with inequity, of having the most billionaires in the world and the largest impoverished population, the Joy of Giving Week is an opportunity to redeem ourselves. To paraphrase management guru Peter Drucker's words, when we look in the mirror in the morning, we should be looking at a citizen who takes responsibility, a person who as a neighbour cares.

The Joy of Giving Week is the beginning of a national movement. The first of its kind for India, and for every single Indian.
It is a platform for all across the country to celebrate the joy of giving. Whether you are a paan wala in Lucknow, a traffic cop in Mumbai, an idli seller in Madurai, a millionaire in Delhi, a multinational company in Bengaluru, a saree shop owner in Kolkata, a teenager in a school or a college goer in Vadodara….
This is your opportunity to reach out to someone less privileged – by donating money, volunteering time, providing your skills and even just saying a kind word to someone who may not have expected it from you.
All you need to be part of the Joy of Giving Week is to do one simple conscious act of giving. So join the movement, now!

Experience the sheer bliss of "giving" at OMASHRAM

There are 35 elderly, helpless & abondoned souls at Omashram Old Age Home in Bangalore.

Give a bit of your time for them. they feel lonely and isolated. Come and spend a little of your time and chat with them. You will help break their feeling of isolation and loneliness. If your finances permit give them small gifts and get their blessings.

Come and discover the many ways that you can help amliorate their suffering.

The three units of Omashram Old Age Home are located in Vijaya Bank Colony, Bilekahalli, (Behind IIM), Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore 560 076.

Address:

Omashram Trust,

#850, 5th A Cross, 11th Main’Vijaya Bank Colony, Bilekahalli,Bannerghatta Road,Bangalore 560 076 Karnataka, INDIA. Phone: 080-26581682, 080-64530629
Web site http://www.omashram./

BLOGS: http://omashram.sulekha.com/ http://mohanpai.sulekha.com/ http:geetaoldagecare.sulekha.com

You could even make donation as a direct credit into the the institution's bank accounts:

TAX EXEMPTION
All donations are exempt under Section 80 G of the Income Tax Act.
Omashram Trust has also been registered with the Central Government under the Foreign Contdribution (Regulation) Act, 1976 for the acceptance of foreign contributions.
DIRECT CREDITS MAY PLEASE BE MADE INTO THE FOLLOWING BANK ACCOUNTS:
Omashram Trust Sb A/c No. 2433101025253 Code No. CNRB0002433Canara Bank, BTM Layout Branch, Bangalore 560076for Indian contributions.
Omashram Trust Sb A/c No. 2433101006399 Code No, CNRB0002433Canara Bank, BTM Layout Branch, Bangalore 560076 for foreign contributions

Mohan Pai,

Founder, Omashram Trust

World Alzheimer's Day

World Alzheimer’s Day

September 23, 2009

World Alzheimer’s day will be observed this month (September 23, 2009). While the disease is generally known as a form of dementia which is incurable, there is a need to spread awareness about this malady because of the seriousness of the condition and the great burden it places on the caregiver. Last year we had a woman resident at Omashram with this condition and we managed her fairly well but one fine morning she just slipped out, never to be traced in spite of our own efforts to track her down and the police who also searched for her all over but without success.

About Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD), also called Alzheimer disease, Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer Type (SDAT) or simply Alzheimer's, is the most common form of dementia. This incurable, degenerative, and terminal disease was first described by German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906 and was named after him.

Alois Alzheimer's patient Auguste D in 1902. Hers was the first described case of what became known as Alzheimer's disease.

Generally it is diagnosed in people over 65 years of age, although the less-prevalent early-onset Alzheimer's can occur much earlier. An estimated 26.6 million people worldwide had Alzheimer's in 2006; this number may quadruple by 2050.Although the course of Alzheimer's disease is unique for every individual, there are many common symptoms. The earliest observable symptoms are often mistakenly thought to be 'age-related' concerns, or manifestations of stress. In the early stages, the most commonly recognised symptom is memory loss, such as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts. When a doctor or physician has been notified, and AD is suspected, the diagnosis is usually confirmed with behavioural assessments and cognitive tests, often followed by a brain scan if available. As the disease advances, symptoms include confusion, irritability and aggression, mood swings, language breakdown, long-term memory loss, and the general withdrawal of the sufferer as their senses decline. Gradually, bodily functions are lost, ultimately leading to death. Individual prognosis is difficult to assess, as the duration of the disease varies.

AD develops for an indeterminate period of time before becoming fully apparent, and it can progress undiagnosed for years. The mean life expectancy following diagnosis is approximately seven years. Fewer than three percent of individuals live more than fourteen years after diagnosis.The cause and progression of Alzheimer's disease are not well understood. Research indicates that the disease is associated with plaques and tangles in the brain. Currently used treatments offer a small symptomatic benefit; no treatments to delay or halt the progression of the disease are as yet available. As of 2008, more than 500 clinical trials were investigating possible treatments for AD, but it is unknown if any of them will prove successful. Many measures have been suggested for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease, but there is a lack of adequate support indicating that the degenerative process can be slowed. Mental stimulation, exercise, and a balanced diet are suggested, as both a possible prevention and a sensible way of managing the disease. Because AD cannot be cured and is degenerative, management of patients is essential. The role of the main caregiver is often taken by the spouse or a close relative. Alzheimer's disease is known for placing a great burden on caregivers; the pressures can be wide-ranging, involving social, psychological, physical, and economic elements of the caregiver's life. In developed countries, AD is one of the most economically costly diseases to society.

Charlton Heston and Ronald Reagan at a meeting in the White House. Both of them would later develop Alzheimer's disease.

Caregiving
Since Alzheimer's has no cure and it gradually renders people incapable of tending for their own needs, caregiving essentially is the treatment and must be carefully managed over the course of the disease.During the early and moderate stages, modifications to the living environment and lifestyle can increase patient safety and reduce caretaker burden. Examples of such modifications are the adherence to simplified routines, the placing of safety locks, the labelling of household items to cue the person with the disease or the use of modified daily life objects. The patient may also become incapable of feeding themselves, so they require food in smaller pieces or pureed.When swallowing difficulties arise, the use of feeding tubes may be required. In such cases, the medical efficacy and ethics of continuing feeding is an important consideration of the caregivers and family members. The use of physical restraints is rarely indicated in any stage of the disease, although there are situations when they are necessary to prevent harm to the person with AD or their caregiversAs the disease progresses, different medical issues can appear, such as oral and dental disease, pressure ulcers, malnutrition, hygiene problems, or respiratory, skin, or eye infections. Careful management can prevent them, while professional treatment is needed when they do arise. During the final stages of the disease, treatment is centred on relieving discomfort until death.

Caregiver’s burden

The role of the main caregiver is often taken by the spouse or a close relative. Alzheimer's disease is known for placing a great burden on caregivers which includes social, psychological, physical or economic aspects. Home care is usually preferred by patients and families. This option also delays or eliminates the need for more professional and costly levels of care. Dementia caregivers are subject to high rates of physical and mental disorders. Factors associated with greater psychosocial problems of the primary caregivers include having an affected person at home, the carer being a spouse, demanding behaviours of the cared person such as depression, behavioural disturbances, hallucinations, sleep problems or walking disruptions and social isolation. Regarding economic problems, family caregivers often give up time from work. Cognitive behavioural therapy and the teaching of coping strategies either individually or in group have demonstrated their efficacy in improving caregivers' psychological health.

Here’s the lighter side of it.

An Old Man's Woes

A sad, old man sitting was sitting on a park bench when along came a police officer. The officer asked the old man why he was so upset.
The old man replied, "Every morning I wake up with a wonderful 20 year old blonde. She cooks great meals including sausage, and bacon and everything I love. Then we make passionate love in bed. Afterwards, she gives me a bath, with handdrawn hot water, cooks me lunch and followed by more passionate love. In the evening, we'll have top the day off with a fantastic diner and yet more wonderful love.
The police officer gets a puzzled look on his face and asks, "Well, what seems to be the problem?"
The old man replied with a sad look on his face, "I can't remember where I live!"

Mohan Pai

Omashram Trust.

Happenings at Omashram 13.

Omashram Trust is happy to announce the opening of computer courses

For SENIOR CITIZENS of
South Bangalore
(Arakere, Bilekahalli & Hulimavu)


Basic Computer Classes
at OMASHRAM Old Age Home,

Vijaya Bank Layout, Bilekahalli,

Bangalore 560 076

The computer classes have been started with the objective of offering basic computer education to senior citizens who are interested in learning computers at a nominal fee. Omashram Trust gratefully acknowledges the help given by Microsoft Corporation to make this activity possible by donating the computers to Omashram.

Omashram Trust,

#850, 5th A Cross, 11th Main’Vijaya Bank Colony,

Bilekahalli, Bannerghatta Road,

Bangalore 560 076
For details, Contact: Mohan Kumar (Manager)Phone: 080-26581682, 080-64530629Mobile: 9986917055

Happenings at Omashram 12.

62nd Independence Day at Omashram

Shrimati Lalitha Kulkarni, a freedom fighter, who has been an Omashram resident for the past two years holds the National flag with Mohan Pai, the founder of Omashram

62nd Independence day was celebrated at Omashram Old Age Home, Bilekahally, Bangalore with joy & gaiety and a lot of enthusiasm by the elderly residents of Omashram. It was a joyous gathering of the elderly residents of Omashram, children from Gandhi School of Gandinagar, Bangalore, volunteers from iVolunteer, Dignity Foundation, Make a Wish Foundation, Yuva Bengaluru and other invitees.

1.Ms. Sarla Mukund of Dignity Foundation presenting the drawing set to Ajay on behalf of Make A Wish Foundation. 2. Ajay with his mother & sister

Wish Fulfillment of a child with life threatening illness by Make A Wish Foundation.

About the child: The kid, Ajay Kumar (Age 15) had been diagnosed with Ectodermal Displacia but he was all ready to join us for the Independence Day with the elderly. The kid being so talented in painting and drawing had a cherished wish of having many drawing books and painting kits. This wish of this kid with a life threatening illness was fulfilled at Omashram.

Annapurnnama 90+ and Gitanjali, residents of Omashram with flags.

1. Geeta Shankar, Managing Trustee distributing gifts and participating in a skit.

1. Archana of iVolunteers in a chat with Mohan Pai 2.Archanaconductingamesforthe kids

A group photograph

About 'Make A Wish':

Make -A - Wish Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to granting the most cherished wishes of children between the ages of 3 and 18 years, living with life threatening illnesses, irrespective of their socio-economic status, caste, race or religion. They grant wishes to create hope and happiness for children with life threatening illnesses.Volunteers being their core resource has lead to fulfilment of over 11,000 wishes since their inception in 1996. The wishes could be anything, it could be as simple as "I need a Watermelon " to "I wanna celebrate my Birthday which I haven't till today" to "meeting super stars like Shahrukh Khan" . One may be surprised to know that there are cases where the kids who were on death beds have actually made up their mind strong seeing their fulfilled wish. For the children facing endless round of hospitals, painful treatment and medication a Wish Fulfilment gives back what the sickness takes away… "Hope, Strength and Joy" Many a times Doctors have even stated that in fact it has a therapeutic effect and can increases the life cycle of a child. "A wish fulfilment makes a sick child believe that anything is possible which means even the future".You can visit their wonderful blog at- http://makeawishbangalore.blogspot.com/.

About 'Yuva Bengaluru':
The basic idea was to have an event that can facilitate interaction between kids and the elderly. The children were from the hostel of a school called Deena Seva Sangha ( Popularly known as Gandhi School as Gandhi himself had laid the foundation for this school many decades ago). Yuva Bengaluru is an organization completely run by young energetic people who adopted this Deena Seva Sangha School and brought about commendable changes in the infrastructure, management and quality of education in the school. Deena Seva Sangha has children studying upto 7th Standard after which they are sent to a nearby high school and then to a college. The hostel accommodates kids from Deena Seva Sangha, High School and College. The children who had come to Omashram were from this hostel and were of different classes and age groups.

JAI HIND !

http://omashram.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
http://geetaoldagecare.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
http://oldagecare-paimohan.blogspot.com/

http://mohanpai.sulekha.com/

Granny Bashing

“Granny Bashing”

Day before yesterday (15.6.09) was the World Elders Abuse Prevention Day and as usual in Bangalore it went unnoticed. Except for a function organised by Nightingales Medical Trust.

Elder Abuse, decades ago was first reported in British scientific journals as “Granny Bashing” about the Elderly facing overt/or covert abuse, economic deprivation, social neglect and religious abuse (especially widows). Elder abuse may manifest as physical, psychological, financial or as neglect.

The family has generally been the traditional primary source of the social, economic, psychological and physical support for the aged. However, the elderly get affected due to lack of support from children who would have grown into adulthood and are in the web of fulfilling their own priorities. Joint family system has almost vanished from the urban areas with nuclear family replacing it. And due to lack of any worthwhile scheme of social insurance or social assistance these elderly become one of the marginalised and vulnerable sections of the society.
Anti-social elements also take advantage of the weakness of elders as seen by the number of murders of elderly that have taken place in a city like Bangalore in the recent past.

Property issues, psychological and financial pressures on care givers or children, dependency factor, ill-health and physical disability of the elderly, economic insufficiency of the elderly and many other factors lead to elder abuse.

Older women, especially in India face a ‘triple jeopardy’ - that of being female in patriarchal culture, of being old in a fast changing society and of being poor.Older women’s health is affected by a lifetime of poor nutrition, multiple pregnancies, poor reproductive health care apart from other causes.

Percentage of widows is also disproportionately larger in India than that of widowers. Literacy rate among widow population is also extremely low (8%) with majority of widows being totally, economically dependent (80%).

Our country presents a sad picture when it comes to the care of the elderly. There is no baseline data about aged in the country, there is no comprehensive social security provision for the people, there is no universal medicare system for all, a sizeable number of aged live under poverty line, institutional facilities are totally inadequate for the number of people who require such care, there is no conscious planning to meet the needs of the elderly, public awareness of issues involved in elderly care is dismal and finally, there is no comprehensive National Policy for the elderly.

Omashram Trust was founded nearly nine years ago for the care of the elderly in Bangalore. The Old Age Home is housed in three separate rented premises in Bangalore and currently has 35 residential aged people most of them women. The institution has strictly survived because of the support of kind-hearted individual donors from India and abroad and contributions from some corporates. Government funding is nil ! The main reason being that all of this funding is mired in corruption.

Mohan Pai
Founder,
Omashram Trust, Bangalore.

For my book “The Elderly”, please log on to:
http://oldagecare-paimohan.blogspot.com/

Happenings at Omashram 11.

I founded this institution in 2001 and it has been a great struggle all these years to keep it afloat. By God's grace we are now looking after 33 sick, old and helpless souls. This has been possible only through the help of innumerable kind-hearted individual donors from India and abroad, NGO Fundraiser who are in the forefront of fund-raising activities for Omashram, and a few corporates. And I must not forget to mention the self-less devotion and hardwork of Mrs. Geeta Shankar, the Managing Trustee of the organisation which has contributed to the survival of the organisation in great measure. Volunteer groups from iVolunteer have been of great help.

Blessings from the elders at Omashram.
Mohan Pai,
Founder, Omashram Trust


Omashram Welcomes
the New Residents at its 3rd Unit


Geet Shankar, Managing Trustee, welcoming the new residents.

The 3rd New Unit of Omashram Old Age Home at Vijaya Bank Colony, Bilekahally, Bangalore South is now fully ready.

Ms. Nethra, the new cook, busy in the kitchen.

Elders who wish to be admitted need to act fast before the accommodation gets full up.

New residents settled down in their bedroom.

Pantry with fridge & washing machine & Kencha, the guard dog at the Ashram.

For admission, please contact:
Mrs. Geeta Shankar, Managing Trustee, Omashram Trust.
Phone: 91-9845567663