By Dibya Prakash I lost one of my distant relatives last month who was 75. He went through a traumatic phase of life wherein his better half left for the heavenly abode four years ago. The agony multiplied because he had no children. Despite our efforts to comfort him in his loneliness, he somehow remained…
By Aavesh Anand Senior homes should feel safe, comfortable, and easy to move around in. The question is: How do you achieve this? First, you need to widen doorways. If you or someone you love uses a walker or wheelchair, the doorways should be at least 32 inches wide. This makes it easier for seniors to…
By Dibya Prakash I never met my grandparents, as they passed away before I was born. However, I’ve always felt very comfortable and happy around elderly people. I fondly remember the grandparents in my neighbourhood, who were regarded as ‘Gaon Budha’ by the time they reached their 70s. They would often sit and observe others…
There can be nothing more exasperating than taking care of elders who repeat themselves. Such behaviour literally drives both family and health caregivers up the proverbial tree. This condition can happen in elders suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. It can also happen to elders who are suffering from dementia or depression. Any of these diseases, especially…
By Dibya Prakash Last week, I met a Yoga practitioner in Rishikesh. Her insights made me reflect on some misguided practices in our lives. While we often focus heavily on our diet to stay healthy, there are other crucial factors beyond food that contribute to our overall well-being and happiness. Our lives today are frequently…
The government keeps announcing special schemes for senior citizens from time to time. Some of these schemes catch the eyes of the intended beneficiaries; but many never reach the intended targets. The India Ageing Report 2023 attributes lack of awareness among the elderly as a major reason for the low utilisation of the schemes. The…
By Aarav Gagan I can tell you exactly when age caught up with me – it was the day I retired two years back. I had been fit all along my life. I had followed a regularly lifestyle and was known to be a bit of a fitness freak who used to regularly cycle in…
This is a first-person account of an elderly person who now requires the services of a caregiver. I turned 80 last year. I started suffering from poor health when I was in my late 70s, with the health prognosis not being good as I continued to age. Otherwise, I had a healthy life till my…
By Dibya Prakash During a recent discussion on the secrets to maintain good health, one of the attendees posed a thought-provoking question: “What is the key to staying healthy?” This inquiry led to a deeper exploration of how our overall well-being is intricately linked to our gut health. Understanding this connection reveals how vital it…