From afar, Tara Vaidya (name changed on request) can be seen approaching the wide gates of Saptasopan, the week-old geriatric day care centre at Thane mental hospital. The 61 year-old resolutely looks at her feet throughout the full minute it takes to reach the facility, which has open spaces lined with trees and roofed cottages under construction.u00a0Children of the hospital’s workers squeal during their morning bath outside their quarters, but that means nothing to Vaidya. She hastily adjusts her dupatta, picks up pace just outside the centre and calls out to Dr Rupa Kinkar, the centre’s occupational therapist.

Dr Sanjay Kumavat with Tara Vaidya (name changed to protect identity) at Saptasopan, a dementia centre and day care centre at Thane mental hospital. Pic/AtulKamble